Make VS code choose Node.js environment by default when debugging js code

Question

I am using VS code v1.45 to debug a simple nodejs file.

I am testing out a simple node.js file.

var msg = 'Hello World';
console.log(msg);

When I press F5, I get prompted to choose the environment. See screenshot below.

This is a hassle. How do I make VS code choose Node.js environment by default without prompting?

My node.js is installed at C:\Program Files\nodejs\node.exe

guagay_wk · Accepted Answer · 2020-05-21 09:20:56Z

5

I will build on answer by user3848207

Delete any existing launch.json file first. Otherwise, no effect when you click on "create a launch.json file" on the debug panel.

Now, click on "create a launch.json file" on the debug panel found on left-hand side. Then, click Node.js when prompted. Subsequently, Node.js will be the default environment.

Manually edit launch.json such that "program": "${file}". Otherwise, when you press F5, it will run on specific js file and not on actively open file.

launch.json should look like this.

This answer works on VS code v1.45

answered May 21, 2020 at 9:20

guagay_wk

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2 Comments

missingsphinx Over a year ago

Thanks a lot! Manually edit launch.json such that "program": "${file}" - this helped.

Antoine Weber Over a year ago

this should be the selected answer

user3848207 · Accepted Answer · 2020-05-21 06:32:07Z

4

I will answer my own question.

Click on "create a launch.json file" on the debug panel found on left-hand side. Then, click Node.js when prompted. Subsequently, Node.js will be the default environment.

Credit goes to someone by the name of drunktimelord.

answered May 21, 2020 at 6:32

user3848207

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2 Comments

guagay_wk Over a year ago

Not a good answer. When you look at the launch.json file created, it works only specifically on a particular js file. You'll be prompted again when you try with a new js file.

Antoine Weber Over a year ago

@guagay_wk you can make the launch.json affect all the files by using "program": "${file}" instead of the explicit file path

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