PHPStorm + XDebug Setup Walkthrough

1. install xdebug module (MAC installation steps)
1.1.1. check what PHP version u r using php --ini (see the loaded file)
1.1.2. brew search xdebug
1.1.3. brew install phpXX-xdebug
1.1.4. see details: php -i | grep xdebug
1.2. restart server
1.3. configuration
1.3.1. sudo find /usr -name 'xdebug.so'
1.3.2. copy the path of the exact one you need
example: /usr/local/Cellar/php56-xdebug/2.3.2/xdebug.so
1.3.3. edit the extension related configuration file which should be injected to the main php.ini automatically:
subl /usr/local/etc/php/5.6/conf.d/ext-xdebug.ini
1.3.4. add the zend_extension to be = the path copied above

 [xdebug]  
 zend_extension="/usr/local/Cellar/php56-xdebug/2.3.2/xdebug.so"

Normal file should have something like this: 

[xdebug]
zend_extension="/usr/local/Cellar/php56/5.6.4/lib/php/extensions/no-debug-non-zts-20131226/xdebug.so"


xdebug.remote_enable=1
xdebug.remote_host=localhost
xdebug.remote_port=9000
xdebug.remote_handler="dbgp"
xdebug.remote_autostart=1
xdebug.profiler_enable=1
xdebug.profiler_output_dir="~/xdebug/phpstorm/tmp"
xdebug.idekey=PHPSTORM

2. check your PHP version
php --ini
3. setup the IDE settings
preference > languages and framework > PHP >
3.1. set the language level to the correct PHP version of this project
3.2. set an interpreter (set the parent directory of where the bin directory of PHP executable is loaded)
3.2.1. click the … button > click the + button > other local > set PHP Excitable path,
to find the path type in the terminal: $ which php
example: /usr/local/Cellar/php56/5.6.5/bin/php
4. restart phpstorm
5. now let’s make it work
5.1. run > edit configuration > click the green + button on the left > select b. php web application
5.2. name: anything example ur {application name - debugger}
5.3. server: localhost (browse > + > name: whatever | host: localhost or 127.0.0.1)
5.4. click ok
5.5. start url: the link of ur project homepage: http://127.0.0.1:80/SomethingNew/
5.6. click ok
6. now set the break point and click debug


I've found a more modern and easier solution partially based on CrasyCoder's post. The steps you need to do are the following:

  1. If your brand new php installation doesn't contain php.ini, rename the php.ini-development to php.ini
  2. Install xdebug with help of the wizard: http://xdebug.org/wizard.php Follow its recommendations literally.
  3. Put in your php.ini the string: xdebug.remote_enable=1
  4. Go to PhpStorm's settings: settings->php. Select or reselect directory containing php. Make sure you see 'Debugger: Xdebug x.x.x' string (where x.x.x stands for installed version)
  5. Install an extension for your favorite browser from here: http://xdebug.org/docs/remote
  6. From the main menu (not the settings window) go to 'Run->Edit configurations' and add new 'PHP Built-in Web Server' configuration. Point the 'Document root' to your project's directory. Note the port number.
  7. Chrome browser: enable the extension pressing on the little bug in the rightmost side of the omnibox and selecting the Debug option. Other browsers' extensions should work similarly.
  8. In PhpStorm's menu enable the 'Run -> Start Listen for PHP Debug connections' option.
  9. Set a breakpoint in your code in PhpStorm.
  10. Run (not debug) the configuration you created in step 6.
  11. In your browser go to localhost:port where 'port' is the port from step 6. Your PhpStorm should stop on the breakpoint and you can start squashing bugs in your code.

Considering that:

Steps 1-5 are made once per php installation.
Step 6 is made once per PhpStorm project.
Steps 7-8 are made once per debuggin session.
Steps 9-11 are made each program run.


It's really simple to get Xdebug working with PhpStorm, just follow this guide carefully. (NOTE: Updated version of the guide is here)

For more advanced topics read this.

Tags:

Phpstorm

Xdebug

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