# About Debugging

> Debugging is the process of identifying and removing errors that prevent the project from functioning correctly. It is recommended to perform debugging during the design stage of the automation project, at activity, file and project level.

Debugging is the process of identifying and removing errors that prevent the project from functioning correctly. It is recommended to perform debugging during the design stage of the automation project, at activity, file and project level.

Debugging can be performed using several options, defined in the ribbon and explained in the [Debugging Actions](https://docs.uipath.com/studio/standalone/latest/user-guide/debugging-actions) page.

By default, debugging is performed on the local robot. You can run or debug your projects using a robot on a remote machine by enabling [remote debugging](https://docs.uipath.com/studio/standalone/latest/user-guide/remote-debugging#remote-debugging).

Several panels make it easier to view the debugging process, add values or monitor variables and arguments.

![docs image](https://dev-assets.cms.uipath.com/assets/images/studio/studio-docs-image-168209-7bfb80a5.webp)

## Start Debugging

The options for running and debugging a file or project are available both in the **Design** and **Debug** tabs.

| Option | Description |
| --- | --- |
| **Debug** | Click **Debug** or use **F5** to debug the whole project. |
| **Run** | Click **Run** or use **Ctrl + F5** to run the whole project. |
| **Debug File** | Click **Debug File** or use **F6** to debug the current file. |
| **Run File** | Click **Run File** or use **Ctrl + F6** to run the current file. |

The default action under **Run/Debug** ribbon button can be configured from **Backstage View** > **Settings** > **Design** tab. Pick from **Debug File**, **Run File**, **Debug Project**, or **Run Project**, as the default action when clicking the button.

During debug, click the **Break** button to pause. The activity which is being debugged remains highlighted when paused. Once this happens, you can choose other debug actions like **Step Into** or press **Stop** to exit and return to design mode. The keyboard shortcut for the **Stop** button is **F12**.

It is recommended to use **Break** along with **Slow Step** so that you know exactly when debugging needs to be paused.

The **Continue** option is available when the debug process is paused.

## Changing activity properties, variables, and arguments

When debugging is paused by a breakpoint, an error, or by manually pausing execution, you can modify an activity's properties or user-defined variables and arguments either from the [Locals Panel](https://docs.uipath.com/studio/standalone/latest/user-guide/the-locals-panel) or directly from the Designer panel or the Properties panel of the current activity.

To change activity-specific properties from the Designer panel or the Properties panel when debugging is paused:

1. Select the activity you want to modify.
2. Navigate to the desired property and change its value from the Properties panel or directly from the designer.
3. Continue debugging with the updated property value.

At the end of the debugging process or when debugging is manually stopped, a message window will ask whether to keep the changes performed during debugging. Discarding the changes will revert any modified properties to their original values.
:::note
You cannot edit the properties of read-only project files without first making the files writable.
:::