PowerToys/doc/devdocs/modules/launcher/debugging.md

Debugging

PowerToys Run is a single exe file associated with launcher.exe process and debugger should be attached to this process. There are two approaches to debug PowerToys Run. Both these approaches differ in the compile-time and the range of functionalities that could be debugged. These methods are discussed in detail in the following sections.

Debugging Prerequisite

Setup development environment for PowerToys by following instruction here.

Direct debugging

This approach is used to test UI, plugins, and core PowerToys Run functionality. This cannot be used to test PowerToys Run settings. The approach is significantly faster compared to Debugging with runner, as it requires compiling projects relevant to PowerToys Run. Please follow the steps below for direct debugging.

1. Right-click on modules->launcher->PowerLauncher and select Set as startup Project.
2. Press F5 to start debugging.

Debugging with runner

This approach can be used to test UI, plugins, core PowerToys Run functionality and PowerToys Run settings. This approach cannot be used to debugging functions that execute on starting launcher.exe process. This requires building runner along with all the other modules on first compile, making it slower than Direct debugging approach. The subsequent compilations should be fast.

1. Right-click on runner and select Set as startup Project.
2. Press F5 to start debugging.
3. Attach debugger to launcher.exe process.
   1. Go to Debug->Attach to process..
   2. Filter and select launcher.exe process.
   3. Click on Attach.