Coding⏱️ 3 min read📅 2026-06-03

How to Fix: Starting python debugger automatically on error

Automatically start pdb on error in python script.

Quick Answer: Use the `pdb.set_trace()` function to set a breakpoint at the point where the error occurs, or use the `sys.excepthook` function to catch and handle exceptions.

📋 Table of Contents

  1. ⚠️ Common Causes
  2. 🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps
  3. ✨ Wrapping Up

The Python debugger, pdb, is a powerful tool that allows developers to step through their code line by line, inspect variables, and set breakpoints. However, when an error occurs, it can be frustrating to have to manually start the debugger every time. This guide will walk you through the process of automatically starting pdb on error in your Python scripts.

This feature is especially useful for developers who want to quickly diagnose and fix issues without having to manually launch the debugger. In this guide, we'll explore two methods to achieve this: using a custom exception handler and importing pdb at the top of your script.

⚠️ Common Causes

  • The primary reason why pdb is not automatically started on error is that Python's built-in error handling mechanism does not support it out of the box. However, there are workarounds available.
  • An alternative reason for this limitation is that some IDEs and text editors may interfere with pdb's functionality or create conflicts with other plugins.

🔧 Proven Troubleshooting Steps

Using a Custom Exception Handler

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Import the pdb module at the top of your script. This can be done using an import statement, such as `import pdb`.
  2. Step 2: Step 2: Define a custom exception handler function that will catch any exceptions raised during execution. This function should take the exception object as an argument and use its `tb` attribute to get the traceback information.
  3. Step 3: Step 3: Use the `pdb.set_trace()` function within your exception handler to start pdb on error. This function takes no arguments and will automatically start pdb at the point where the exception was raised.

Importing pdb at the Top of Your Script

  1. Step 1: Step 1: Import the pdb module at the top of your script, just like in Method 1.
  2. Step 2: Step 2: Use the `pdb.set_trace()` function within a specific block of code that you want to debug. This can be done using an if-else statement or by wrapping a section of code in a try-except block.
  3. Step 3: Step 3: When pdb is started, it will automatically take over execution and allow you to step through your code line by line.

✨ Wrapping Up

By following these methods, you can automate the process of starting pdb on error in your Python scripts. Remember to always test your code thoroughly after implementing any changes to ensure that they do not introduce new bugs or unexpected behavior.

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