robotframework-debuglibrary
RobotFramework debug library and an interactive shell
Decision gist · record as of 2026-08-14
Yes, if you actively develop Robot Framework tests and value interactive debugging during development. The low install friction and permissive license make it a safe addition. However, the dormant maintenance status (945+ days since last release) means it is not receiving active updates; verify compatibility with your current Robot Framework and Python versions before relying on it for new projects. Suitable for established workflows; less ideal if you need ongoing support or compatibility updates.AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page — verify before relying
Before you install
- Requires Robot Framework and prompt-toolkit as runtime dependencies; Python 3.8 or later (version 2.0+).
- Low install friction with a pure-Python wheel.
- Maintenance is dormant—last release was over 945 days ago—but the package remains stable and archived repository shows no active development.
License · maintenance · safety
New BSD (permissive) — Licensed under New BSD (permissive), allowing free use, modification, and distribution with minimal restrictions. No licensing barrier to adoption.
last release 2024-01-12 (945 days) · last repo commit 2024-01-15 · 105 stars
0 known vulnerabilities (OSV.dev, 2026-08-14) · 163,051 downloads/mo, #10,578 on PyPI
Alternatives
Verify before relying
pip install robotframework-debuglibrary
# In a Robot Framework test file:
*** Settings ***
Library DebugLibrary
*** Test Cases ***
Example
Debug
# or run standalone:
# $ rfdebug- Whether step debugging works correctly with all Robot Framework versions currently in use.
- Compatibility with recent versions of prompt-toolkit and Robot Framework given dormant maintenance status.
- Whether the rfdebug shell history file location works reliably on all operating systems.
What it is and what it does
DebugLibrary is a debug library for Robot Framework that adds interactive debugging capabilities to test execution. It provides two main modes: embedding Debug or Debug If keywords in test files to pause execution and drop into an interactive shell, or running the standalone rfdebug command to use Robot Framework as an interactive REPL. The library depends on prompt-toolkit for terminal interaction and Robot Framework itself.
The interactive shell supports keyword auto-completion, command history (saved to ~/.rfdebug_history), and step-through debugging similar to pdb—allowing developers to trace test execution line-by-line, inspect variables, and execute Robot Framework keywords on demand. It's useful during test development and troubleshooting, though step debugging does not currently support FOR loops.
Use it for
- Pause test execution mid-run to inspect variable state and test environment interactively.
- Explore available Robot Framework keywords and libraries in a live shell without running full test suites.
- Debug failing tests by stepping through execution line-by-line and examining intermediate results.
- Prototype and validate Robot Framework keywords and library calls before adding them to test files.
- Quickly test Selenium or other library operations in an interactive shell without writing full test cases.
Worth the install?
AI-flagged interpretation of the facts on this page. Verify before relying on it.
Yes, if you actively develop Robot Framework tests and value interactive debugging during development.
The low install friction and permissive license make it a safe addition. However, the dormant maintenance status (945+ days since last release) means it is not receiving active updates; verify compatibility with your current Robot Framework and Python versions before relying on it for new projects. Suitable for established workflows; less ideal if you need ongoing support or compatibility updates.
Install
robotframework-debuglibrary on PyPI
Before you install
Low install friction with a pure-Python wheel. Maintenance is dormant—last release was over 945 days ago—but the package remains stable and archived repository shows no active development. Suitable for established workflows that don't require ongoing updates.
Requires Robot Framework and prompt-toolkit as runtime dependencies; Python 3.8 or later (version 2.0+).
License in practice
Licensed under New BSD (permissive), allowing free use, modification, and distribution with minimal restrictions. No licensing barrier to adoption.
Quickstart
pip install robotframework-debuglibrary
# In a Robot Framework test file:
*** Settings ***
Library DebugLibrary
*** Test Cases ***
Example
Debug
# or run standalone:
# $ rfdebugVerify before relying
- Whether step debugging works correctly with all Robot Framework versions currently in use.
- Compatibility with recent versions of prompt-toolkit and Robot Framework given dormant maintenance status.
- Whether the rfdebug shell history file location works reliably on all operating systems.
Package facts
| License | New BSD permissive |
| Python support | Not specified |
| Install friction | Low. Pure-Python wheel |
| Runtime dependencies | 2 packagesprompt-toolkitrobotframework |
| Maintenance | Dormant 945 days since the last release |
| Last repo commit | |
| First released | |
| Downloads | 163,051 / month, #10,578 on PyPI 30-day window, as of 2026-08-14 |
| Known vulnerabilities | None known OSV.dev, checked 2026-08-14 |
| Classifiers | Development Status :: 5 - Production/StableEnvironment :: ConsoleLicense :: OSI Approved :: BSD LicenseNatural Language :: EnglishOperating System :: OS IndependentProgramming Language :: PythonProgramming Language :: Python :: 3 :: OnlyProgramming Language :: Python :: 3.10Programming Language :: Python :: 3.11Programming Language :: Python :: 3.12Programming Language :: Python :: 3.8Programming Language :: Python :: 3.9Topic :: Utilities |
Evidence: robotframework_debuglibrary-2.5.0-py3-none-any.whl
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See also robotframework-seleniumlibrary · robotframework-selenium2library · robotframework-sshlibrary · robotframework-dependencylibrary · robotframework · robotframework-appiumlibrary · genie.libs.robot · robotframework-databaselibrary · robotframework-imaplibrary2 · robotframework-extendedselenium2library