Debug an n8n custom node in VS Code with real breakpoints. The n8n node starter already ships a launch.json, “Attach to running n8n”, and source maps, so you can stop inside execute() while npm run dev is running.
Launch your n8n integration - NativeShip.io
In this video:
- What npm run dev runs: tsc --watch and a separate local n8n
- .vscode/launch.json: “Attach to running n8n”
- sourceMap: true, and why it matters
- Attaching, setting a breakpoint, and pressing Execute step
- Reading items, getNodeParameter and the API response while paused
- Where breakpoints won’t help: declarative routing and description changes
- Three things that look like bugs: node name search, unknown credentials, a blank icon
Chapters
0:00 console.log, again
0:41 What npm run dev runs
1:25 The launch.json you never opened
1:57 Attach and stop on a line
2:29 What you can see while paused
2:58 Where it won’t stop
3:35 Three things that look like bugs
4:03 Recap
New to building nodes? The full series, from an empty folder to a verified n8n community node: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLYkThRYZ5f5g
Part 2, npm create @n8n/node: https://youtu.be/DhvsnBVhrMA
Part 5, execute(): https://youtu.be/bly8ZShWMh0