Can I use this skill with PHPUnit tests?

Yes, tools like xcoverage and xtrace can be wrapped around vendor/bin/phpunit to analyze test execution flow and identify uncovered code.

Do I need to modify my PHP code to use these debugging tools?

No, these tools are non-invasive. You don't need to add var_dump() or any other debug statements to your source code to trace or analyze it.

Does it support debugging framework-level code in the vendor directory?

Yes. While vendor code is excluded by default to keep analysis focused, you can use the --include-vendor option to include specific packages or the entire framework.

How does the variable tracking work in xstep?

The xstep tool allows you to set a breakpoint and step forward a specific number of times, showing you exactly how variable values change at each step and how those changes affect branching.

PHP Xdebug MCP

Name: PHP Xdebug MCP
Author: koriym

bykoriym

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Security & Testing

Provides non-invasive PHP debugging, profiling, and execution tracing tools powered by Xdebug.

About

This skill empowers Claude with a comprehensive suite of PHP analysis tools that eliminate the need for manual code modifications like var_dump(). By leveraging Xdebug through a Model Context Protocol (MCP) interface, it allows for deep inspection of PHP applications, including forward execution tracing, step-by-step variable tracking at breakpoints, performance profiling to find bottlenecks, and code coverage analysis. It is an essential toolset for developers needing to perform precise root-cause analysis, optimize execution speed, or map out complex call stacks in any PHP environment.

Key Features

29 GitHub stars
Automated performance profiling to identify specific code bottlenecks
Compact code coverage reports to identify untested lines and logic paths
Non-invasive forward execution tracing with function parameters and timing data
Step-by-step debugging to track variable state changes and branching logic
Context-aware backtrace capture to visualize the full call stack at specific points

Use Cases

Optimizing legacy PHP applications by pinpointing slow functions and memory leaks
Identifying gaps in test suites by generating coverage data for specific PHP scripts
Debugging complex logical errors by tracing execution flow without manual logging

About

Key Features

29 GitHub stars
Automated performance profiling to identify specific code bottlenecks
Compact code coverage reports to identify untested lines and logic paths
Non-invasive forward execution tracing with function parameters and timing data
Step-by-step debugging to track variable state changes and branching logic
Context-aware backtrace capture to visualize the full call stack at specific points

Use Cases

Optimizing legacy PHP applications by pinpointing slow functions and memory leaks
Identifying gaps in test suites by generating coverage data for specific PHP scripts
Debugging complex logical errors by tracing execution flow without manual logging