How to enable Xdebug on local Macbook? - visual-studio-code

Question

Need Xdebug extension enabled in my local development environment.
PHP Version: PHP 8.0.10 (CLI)
OS: Mac ( Chip Apple M1 )

Answer 1

Let me summarize the steps that worked for me always.
Reconfirm x-debug installation on the local work desk or enabled in php.ini by running the following command:
➜ ~ PHP -v
Run the below command to install x-debug:
On Apple M1 hardware, you might instead need to use:
➜ ~ arch -arm64 sudo pecl install xdebug
If you have different architecture, below might be suitable.
➜ ~ arch -x86_64 sudo pecl install xdebug
Note: I had installed PHP using Homebrew before like :
➜ ~ brew install php
Now, with above #2, X-debug should be installed and enabled in php.ini.
You might get something similar as below:
Build process completed successfully
Installing '/opt/homebrew/Cellar/php/8.0.10/pecl/20200930/xdebug.so'
install ok: channel://pecl.php.net/xdebug-3.0.4
Extension xdebug enabled in php.ini
Tips:
Usecase 1: Xdebug installed but not enabled in php.ini.
Steps:>
(a) Read the PHP ini file loaded, active with below.
➜ ~ PHP --ini
(b) Use vi editor and add the following line to php.ini: zend_extension="xdebug.so"
( Note: You may also provide the path instead of just xdebug.so. For example, my local machine path is something like this:- /opt/homebrew/Cellar/php/8.0.10/pecl/20200930/xdebug.so
(c) Save and exit editor and try php -v again to confirm x-debug enabled.
Usecase 2: You had run pecl command with the wrong architecture mentioned.
(a) Uninstall x-Debug with below command:
➜ ~ sudo pecl uninstall xdebug
(b) Re-run install command as shared in Step 2 above with caution using correct architecture.