nodejs / nodejs/node

Does/should the REPL support `--inspect`?

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repl
Dominant language
JavaScript
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Description

Version

v26.3.0

Subsystem

REPL
debugger

What steps will reproduce the bug?

Run node --inspect and node --interactive --inspect with no script arg.

What is the expected behavior? Why is that the expected behavior?

either:

$ node --inspect
node: REPL does not support --inspect

or:

$ node node --interactive --inspect
node: either --interactive or --inspect can be used, not both

similar to:

node --watch --check src/app.js
node: either --watch or --check can be used, not both

Even if it technically works, I can't see how it works in any useful way.

What do you see instead?
$ node --inspect
Debugger listening on ws://127.0.0.1:9229/d36505e9-1fcd-4b1f-b43e-0f2dd295526e
For help, see: https://nodejs.org/learn/getting-started/debugging
Welcome to Node.js v26.3.0.
Type ".help" for more information.
> 
$ node --interactive --inspect
Debugger listening on ws://127.0.0.1:9229/b6961d01-7632-4ec1-b091-ee6b9026513a
For help, see: https://nodejs.org/learn/getting-started/debugging
Welcome to Node.js v26.3.0.
Type ".help" for more information.
> 

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 node --inspect and node --interactive --inspect with no script, then read the REPL and debugger option handling. Compare the behavior with the existing --watch/--check conflict example. Done means the chosen behavior is consistent for both invocations and verified against the reported output.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
javascript, node.js
Domain
cli, devtools
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
3/5
Estimated time
1-2 days
Activity status
Quiet
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
48/100

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