How to debug a file from current directory with Python in VS Code?

Question

I can see that this question has been asked multiple times already however, none of the solutions seems to be working anymore, forcing me to ask for the latest fix.

Problem

I have created a workspace in VS code with the following directory structure,

work__assignments (this is my main workspace folder in vs code)
- assignment__1
  - data
  - modules
  - tests
- assignment__2
  - data
  - modules
  - tests

"work__assignments" is my main workspace folder in the VS code. From this main workspace, I go to an assignment folder (e.g. work__assignments > assignment__2 > modules) and work on the respective code. However, when I try to debug the code in "work__assignments > assignment__2 > modules" the debugger loads from the main workspace folder (i.e. work__assignments), then it fails because it can't find other modules in the modules folder "work__assignments > assignment__2 > modules".

I have tried the following methods so far,

Updating the launch.json file and adding the line "cwd": "${fileDirname}",

{
    "name": "Python: Current File",
    "type": "python",
    "request": "launch",
    "program": "${file}",
    "console": "integratedTerminal",
    "cwd": "${fileDirname}"
}

Updating the launch.json file and adding the line "cwd": "",

{
    "name": "Python: Current File",
    "type": "python",
    "request": "launch",
    "program": "${file}",
    "console": "integratedTerminal",
    "cwd": ""
}

Updating the launch.json file and adding the following lines,

{
    "name": "Python: Current File",
    "type": "python",
    "request": "launch",
    "program": "${file}",
    "console": "integratedTerminal",
    "cwd": "${workspaceFolder}",
    "env": {
        "PYTHONPATH": "${cwd}"
    }
}

Updating the preferences

However, NONE OF THESE APPROACHES HAVE WORKED. Every time I debug the code, it launches into the workspace folder and not in the code folder. What am I doing wrong?

Note: I am running the debugger using the "Debug Python File" button at the top right corner as shown in the picture below,

Try setting cwd to "cwd": "./assignment__2".

JialeDu
– JialeDu

2022-09-29 02:33:40 +00:00
Commented Sep 29, 2022 at 2:33 — JialeDu
– JialeDu, Commented Sep 29, 2022 at 2:33

JialeDu · Accepted Answer · 2022-09-29 03:05:37Z

5

Configure one of the following cwd in launch.json:

    "cwd": "./assignment__2"
    "cwd": "${fileDirname}"

It should be noted that you need to debug the program from the Run and Debug panel to execute the configuration in launch.json.

A simple example

Directory Structure and code

launch.json

{
    "version": "0.2.0",
    "configurations": [
        {
            "name": "Python: Current File",
            "type": "python",
            "request": "launch",
            "program": "${file}",
            "console": "integratedTerminal",
            "justMyCode": true,
            // "cwd": "./hello"
            "cwd": "${fileDirname}"
        }
    ]
}

Debug results

Invalid configuration in launch.json if debug is selected from play button

edited Sep 29, 2022 at 3:05

answered Sep 29, 2022 at 3:00

JialeDu

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4 Comments

exan Over a year ago

ahhh... turns out I was using the wrong button to run the "debugging". Never knew that there is this other button to run the debugging session.

Matthieu H Over a year ago

So, is there a way to edit the config of the "Debug Python File" button?

JialeDu Over a year ago

@Matthieu H It seems that it is not feasible for the time being. But there are several related GitHub links here you can follow. [github.com/microsoft/vscode-python/issues/20746] [github.com/microsoft/vscode-python/issues/11812] [github.com/microsoft/vscode-python/issues/20269]

Matthieu H Over a year ago

@JialeDu Yes, this is faisable. You just have to set the purpose in launch.json, on the config you want the button to execute. Like this: "purpose": ["debug-in-terminal"]

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