pdbpp
pdb++, a drop-in replacement for pdb
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes. pdbpp is a straightforward upgrade to Python's standard debugger with low install friction, active maintenance, no security issues, and a permissive license. The enhanced features (completion, highlighting, sticky mode) make interactive debugging noticeably more pleasant without requiring code changes—it works as a drop-in replacement. Install it if you spend time in the debugger.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Low friction install with only two lightweight runtime dependencies (fancycompleter and pygments).
- The package is actively maintained with a recent release and no known vulnerabilities.
License · maintenance · safety
BSD-3-Clause (permissive) — BSD-3-Clause is a permissive license that allows commercial and private use with minimal restrictions, requiring only that you include the license text and original copyright notice.
last release 2026-02-23 (172 days) · last repo commit 2026-06-08 · 52 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 1,465,673 downloads/mo, #3,876 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install pdbpp
import pdb
pdb.set_trace() # pdbpp automatically replaces standard pdb
# At the (Pdb++) prompt, use new commands like:
# sticky - show entire function during step execution
# ll - list full function with syntax highlighting
# display EXPR - watch expression value changes- Whether pdbpp works correctly with all pytest --pdb workflows or only specific versions
- Performance impact of syntax highlighting on large codebases during debugging sessions
- Compatibility with remote debugging or IDE-integrated debuggers
What it is and what it does
pdbpp extends Python's built-in pdb debugger with a more user-friendly interactive experience. It automatically replaces the standard pdb module when you import pdb, so existing code like pytest --pdb immediately gets the enhanced features without code changes. The package depends on fancycompleter for intelligent TAB completion and pygments for syntax highlighting of code listings.
The main additions are sticky mode (which repaints the screen to show your entire function as you step through it), a longlist command to view full function source with highlighting, smart command parsing that prioritizes local variables over debugger commands, and utility functions like pdb.xpm() for extended post-mortem debugging. It also provides decorators like @pdb.hideframe to control frame visibility and @pdb.break_on_setattr to break on attribute changes.
Use it for
- Step through code line-by-line with sticky mode showing the full function context continuously
- Debug pytest test failures with enhanced pdb++ prompt when using pytest --pdb flag
- Inspect local variables by name without accidentally triggering pdb commands (smart parsing)
- Post-mortem debugging of exceptions using pdb.xpm() to start from the exception line
- Watch expression values change automatically during execution using the display command
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes.
pdbpp is a straightforward upgrade to Python's standard debugger with low install friction, active maintenance, no security issues, and a permissive license. The enhanced features (completion, highlighting, sticky mode) make interactive debugging noticeably more pleasant without requiring code changes—it works as a drop-in replacement. Install it if you spend time in the debugger.
Install
pdbpp on PyPI
Before you install
Low friction install with only two lightweight runtime dependencies (fancycompleter and pygments). The package is actively maintained with a recent release and no known vulnerabilities.
License in practice
BSD-3-Clause is a permissive license that allows commercial and private use with minimal restrictions, requiring only that you include the license text and original copyright notice.
Quickstart
pip install pdbpp
import pdb
pdb.set_trace() # pdbpp automatically replaces standard pdb
# At the (Pdb++) prompt, use new commands like:
# sticky - show entire function during step execution
# ll - list full function with syntax highlighting
# display EXPR - watch expression value changesVerify before relying
- Whether pdbpp works correctly with all pytest --pdb workflows or only specific versions
- Performance impact of syntax highlighting on large codebases during debugging sessions
- Compatibility with remote debugging or IDE-integrated debuggers
Package facts
| License | BSD-3-Clause permissive |
| Python support | Not specified |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | 2 packagesfancycompleterpygments |
| Maintenance | Actively maintained 172 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 1,465,673 / month, #3,876 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 4 - BetaEnvironment :: ConsoleIntended Audience :: DevelopersOperating System :: POSIXProgramming Language :: PythonProgramming Language :: Python :: 3.10Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12Programming Language :: Python :: 3.13Programming Language :: Python :: 3.9Programming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: CPythonProgramming Language :: Python :: Implementation :: PyPyTopic :: Software Development :: DebuggersTopic :: Utilities |
Evidence: pdbpp-0.12.1-py3-none-any.whl
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See also pdbp · pdb-attach · pdbr · ipdb · fancycompleter · tabcompleter · web-pdb · pudb · pyxdia · fastpdb