PowerShell / PowerShell/vscode-powershell

Start-DebugAttachSession without parameters "hangs"

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Issue-Bug Needs: Triage
Dominant language
TypeScript
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Forks
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Description

Prerequisites
  • I have written a descriptive issue title.
  • I have searched all open and closed issues to ensure it has not already been reported.
  • I have read the troubleshooting guide.
  • I am sure this issue is with the extension itself and does not reproduce in a standalone PowerShell instance.
  • I have verified that I am using the latest version of Visual Studio Code and the PowerShell extension.
  • If this is a security issue, I have read the security issue reporting guidance.
Summary

Start-DebugAttachSession without parameters "hangs".

PowerShell Version
Name                           Value
----                           -----
PSVersion                      7.5.4
PSEdition                      Core
GitCommitId                    7.5.4
OS                             Microsoft Windows 10.0.26200
Platform                       Win32NT
PSCompatibleVersions           {1.0, 2.0, 3.0, 4.0…}
PSRemotingProtocolVersion      2.3
SerializationVersion           1.1.0.1
WSManStackVersion              3.0

Name             : Visual Studio Code Host
Version          : 2025.5.0
InstanceId       : 34bb8444-87b8-4ee9-862b-d008a055e1c1
UI               : System.Management.Automation.Internal.Host.InternalHostUserInterface
CurrentCulture   : en-GB
CurrentUICulture : en-US
PrivateData      : Microsoft.PowerShell.ConsoleHost+ConsoleColorProxy
DebuggerEnabled  : True
IsRunspacePushed : False
Runspace         : System.Management.Automation.Runspaces.LocalRunspace
Visual Studio Code Version
1.107.0
618725e67565b290ba4da6fe2d29f8fa1d4e3622
x64
Extension Version
ms-vscode.powershell@2025.5.0
Steps to Reproduce
  • Start debugging with the PowerShell Interactive profile.
  • In the debug terminal invoke Start-DebugAttachSession

Expected result
VSCode shows the dropdown for choosing a process to attach.

Per Start-DebugAttachSession

If -ProcessId or -CustomPipeName is not specified, the debug client will prompt for process to connect to.

Actual result
The command "hangs". Interestingly, when it is terminated by Ctrl+C, the expected dropdown for choosing a process appears, but it's too late, of course, the command is terminated.

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

Start by reproducing the issue with the PowerShell Interactive profile and the Start-DebugAttachSession entry point. Read module/docs/Start-DebugAttachSession.md in PowerShellEditorServices to confirm the prompt behavior. Done means invoking the command without parameters shows the process-selection dropdown without requiring Ctrl+C.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
powershell, typescript, vscode
Domain
devtools
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
3/5
Estimated time
1-2 days
Activity status
Quiet
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
55/100

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