Debugging Spring Boot Applications in IntelliJ IDEA: A Complete Guide
Spring Boot is renowned for making Java application development fast and straightforward. But even with its magic, debugging Spring Boot apps—understanding configuration, resolving bean issues, tracking database connections, and managing transactions—can be challenging. That's where the Spring Debugger plugin for IntelliJ IDEA steps in, turning complex troubleshooting into a streamlined experience.
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| Debugging Spring Boot Applications in IntelliJ IDEA: A Complete Guide |
Why Debugging Spring Boot Can Be Challenging
Spring Boot applications are dynamic. Configuration values can come from myriad sources (properties files, environment variables, config servers), and beans may load conditionally based on profiles or context. Common developer frustrations include:
- Tracking the actual value of a property.
- Discovering which bean was selected for injection.
- Checking the status of current transactions.
- Verifying which database is connected.
IntelliJ IDEA’s Spring Debugger plugin, designed specifically for Spring and Spring Boot developers, answers these critical questions without leaving the IDE.
Getting Started: Installing the Spring Debugger Plugin
Easy Installation Steps:
- Open IntelliJ IDEA.
- Go to Settings > Plugins.
- Search for “Spring Debugger” and install it.
- Restart IntelliJ IDEA if prompted.
No extra configuration is needed. The plugin works with IntelliJ's Debug mode and supports these run configurations:
- Native IntelliJ Spring Boot runs
- Maven: spring-boot:run
- Gradle: bootRun
*Note: As of August 2025, remote debugging via the plugin isn't supported.*
Key Spring Debugger Features
1. Visualize Loaded Beans
- Beans in your project gain special icons—green (loaded), gray (not loaded), and orange (mocked).
- Project View instantly shows which beans are active by type, making it easier to isolate bean conflicts or multiple implementations.
- Use the Evaluate Expression window to access any bean within the current application context, employing code completion to invoke methods live—no restarts, no code changes.
2. Discover Real Property Values
- Inline Property Values: Spring Debugger displays the evaluated value of every property right in your configuration files.
- Quickly navigate to the source (config file, system property, external config service).
- While debugging, evaluate any property from the Evaluate Expression window and see precisely where its value originated and any updates that occurred.
3. Instantly Check Database Connections
- The plugin integrates with the Database tool window.
- Live DB Connection Preview: See which database your application is using at runtime—ideal for setups involving Testcontainers or dynamically allocated ports.
- For in-memory databases, while detailed data viewing is limited, you can inspect the JDBC connection in the debug session and even run queries through repository or entity manager beans.
4. Inspect Active Transactions
- Transaction Metadata: Immediately view if a transaction is live, its propagation type, and the code location where it started.
- For JPA: See the Level 1 cache and live entity states as you step through the code.
- This insight is invaluable for debugging common issues like LazyInitializationException or persistence problems.
5. JPA Entity State Tracking
- The debugger exposes the exact lifecycle state (e.g., managed, detached, removed) of every JPA entity during a debug session.
- Helps in troubleshooting issues related to cascades, flushes, or detached entities moving across service boundaries.
Benefits of the Spring Debugger Plugin
- See all critical application context information in your IDE—no more switching between logs, config files, or external DB tools.
- Improve Root Cause Analysis: Pinpoint the source of issues in seconds, not hours.
- Resolve property, bean, transaction, and database problems without leaving your coding environment.
- The plugin is updated independently from main IntelliJ releases, ensuring developers quickly get new features and fixes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Is the Spring Debugger plugin bundled with IntelliJ IDEA?
A: Not yet. You must install it separately to stay agile with updates.
Q: Can I use it for remote debugging?
A: As of August 2025, remote attach is not supported, but local Debug configurations are fully enhanced.
How to Use Spring Debugger: Quick Start Steps
- Install the Plugin as described above.
- Start Your Application in Debug Mode using your usual run configuration.
- Leverage IntelliJ’s Debugger Panel—all Spring-specific insights will be visible during every debug session.
Conclusion
Debugging Spring Boot applications no longer needs to be a guessing game. Spring Debugger for IntelliJ IDEA provides a comprehensive, in-context toolkit for visualizing your application’s internal workings. From inspecting beans and property sources to tracking database connections and transaction lifecycles, the plugin massively accelerates troubleshooting and supports best practices in professional Java development[1].
Whether you’re resolving a tricky configuration bug or optimizing your transaction handling, adding Spring Debugger to your toolkit will help you solve problems faster, all within your favorite IDE.