launch.json

{
    "version": "0.2.0",
    "configurations": [
      {
        "name": "Launch Program",
        "type": "node",
        "request": "launch",
        "program": "${workspaceFolder}/index.js",     // Entry point of the application
        "preLaunchTask": "npm: build",                // Task to run before launching
        "outFiles": ["${workspaceFolder}/dist/**/*.js"], // Compiled output files for debugging
        "env": {
          "NODE_ENV": "development"
        },
        "console": "integratedTerminal",             // Use integrated terminal for output
        "internalConsoleOptions": "neverOpen",
        "args": [],                                  // Arguments passed to the Node.js program
        "sourceMaps": true,                          // Enable source maps for better debugging
        "cwd": "${workspaceFolder}",                 // Set the current working directory
        "runtimeExecutable": "node",                 // Specify the Node.js runtime
        "runtimeArgs": [
          "--nolazy",                                // Disable lazy loading for better debugging
          "--inspect-brk"                            // Start debugger and break before the first line
        ],
        "skipFiles": [
          "<node_internals>/**"                      // Skip internal Node.js modules while debugging
        ]
      },
      {
        "name": "Launch via NPM",
        "type": "node",
        "request": "launch",
        "runtimeExecutable": "npm",
        "runtimeArgs": [
          "run-script", 
          "start"                                    // Replace "start" with your npm script
        ],
        "env": {
          "NODE_ENV": "development"
        },
        "console": "integratedTerminal",
        "internalConsoleOptions": "neverOpen",
        "sourceMaps": true,
        "outFiles": ["${workspaceFolder}/dist/**/*.js"]
      },
      {
        "name": "Attach to Process",
        "type": "node",
        "request": "attach",
        "processId": "${command:PickProcess}",        // Dynamically pick the process to attach to
        "restart": true,                             // Automatically restart if the Node.js process stops
        "protocol": "inspector",                     // Use the inspector protocol for debugging
        "sourceMaps": true,
        "outFiles": ["${workspaceFolder}/dist/**/*.js"],
        "skipFiles": [
          "<node_internals>/**"
        ]
      },
      {
        "name": "Attach to Remote",
        "type": "node",
        "request": "attach",
        "address": "localhost",                      // Replace with the remote host if needed
        "port": 9229,                                // Default port for Node.js inspector
        "localRoot": "${workspaceFolder}",           // Local folder mapped to the remote workspace
        "remoteRoot": "/app",                        // Remote folder in the container or server
        "sourceMaps": true,
        "outFiles": ["${workspaceFolder}/dist/**/*.js"],
        "skipFiles": [
          "<node_internals>/**"
        ]
      }
    ]
  }