• [RFC] Android support in LLDB-DAP VS Code extension Introduction Thanks to the LLDB-DAP extension for VS Code, debugging software written in any language supported by LLDB is easy. • The debugging experience matches developer expectations: minimal setup, one-click start, a short edit-build-debug cycle, breakpoints (applied before launch), stepping, call stacks, live inspection, etc. • This experience works well when the debugged software runs on the same platform as VS Code. • However, when developing for Android, the experience is totally different. • We have to switch to “attach” mode and manage the complexity of remote debugging ourselves. • Android Studio provides a great debugging experience for Android apps.

Article Summaries:

  • Summary

The RFC proposes extending the LLDB‑DAP VS Code extension to support Android app debugging with a native LLDB experience. Currently, VS Code requires manual “attach” mode for Android, unlike Android Studio’s streamlined C/C++ debugging. The plan adds a one‑click workflow that builds the app, starts an ADB server and emulator if needed, installs the app and lldb‑server, then launches the app in debug mode, displaying a “Waiting for Debugger” screen until LLDB attaches. The extension will then set breakpoints, resume execution, and clean up on stop. The goal is to verify feasibility, avoid blockers, and align with existing Android debugging efforts.

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