---
id: pdbpp
version: "0.12.1"
license: BSD-3-Clause
license_treatment: permissive
maintenance: active
---

# pdbpp — pdb++, a drop-in replacement for pdb

License: permissive · Maintenance: active · Downloads: 1.5M/mo

## 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 above — verify before relying.

pdbpp is a drop-in replacement for Python's standard pdb debugger that adds colorful TAB completion, syntax highlighting, sticky mode for step-by-step execution, and new interactive commands.

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

pip install pdbpp
uv add pdbpp
poetry add pdbpp

## Installing pdbpp

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 changes

Verify 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: unspecified
- Install friction: low
- Maintenance: active
- Downloads: 1.5M/month (top 5,000 on PyPI)
- Known vulnerabilities: none known

## Tags

python debugger enhancement, pdb replacement with colors, interactive debugging with completion, syntax highlighted debugger, improved pdb prompt, sticky mode debugging, python debugging tools, debugger, repl-enhancement, developer-tools

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