Enable remote debugging on Chrome by default on mac?

Nat Kuhn picture Nat Kuhn · May 8, 2019 · Viewed 7.8k times · Source

I am working on getting the VS Code debugger to attach to Chrome as part of my regular workflow.

I keep Chrome running all the time, and the highly-regarded VS Code Live Server extension opens my project in a new tab, which I like. I would like to be able to attach the VS Code debugger to this instance, but it looks like I have to start Chrome from the command line with

sudo /Applications/Google\ Chrome.app/Contents/MacOS/Google\ Chrome --remote-debugging-port=9222

Several questions:

  1. Is there a way to modify Chrome's configuration file so that it always starts with that flag set?
  2. Is that a stupid thing to do?
  3. Do I really need the sudo in the line above? Some sources do not have it.
  4. Alternatively, is there a way to create a desktop/toolbar shortcut to chrome that will start it will remote debugging enabled?

Thanks!

PS I see the related SO question for Windows.

Answer

Nat Kuhn picture Nat Kuhn · May 9, 2019

There are various Mac answers that used to work that don't anymore. I found one that does and built a double-clickable icon. I posted it on GitHub.

Apparently it's pretty easy to do using Automator, also.