This is caused by a bug in Arduino IDE 2.3.0:
opened 02:20PM - 07 Feb 24 UTC
closed 01:17PM - 08 Feb 24 UTC
conclusion: resolved
topic: code
type: imperfection
topic: debugger
### Describe the problem
Arduino IDE has an [integrated sketch debugger](http… s://docs.arduino.cc/software/ide-v2/tutorials/ide-v2-debugger). The debugger interface is presented in a view in the left side panel of the Arduino IDE window. When the user initiates a debug session by clicking the "Start Debugging" button on the Arduino IDE toolbar, the "**DEBUG**" opens and the user can use the interface to debug their sketch.
🐛 On the first attempt to use the debugger with a given sketch, the "**DEBUG**" view is empty. It is only populated on the next IDE session.
### To reproduce
1. Connect one of the boards with debugger support to your computer as appropriate.
1. Select the board from the **Tools > Board** menu.
1. Select **File > New Sketch** from the Arduino IDE menus.
1. Select **Sketch > Verify/Compile** from the Arduino IDE menus.
1. Wait for the compilation process to finish.
1. Click the "Start Debugging" button on the Arduino IDE toolbar.
🐛 The left side panel opens, but the "**DEBUG**" view is blank:
### Expected behavior
The "**DEBUG**" view is always populated with the UI after the user clicks the "Start Debugging" button.
### Arduino IDE version
2.3.0
### Operating system
- Windows
- Linux
### Operating system version
- Windows 11
- Ubuntu 22.04
### Additional context
I haven't done a full bisection, but I am not able to reproduce the fault with Arduino IDE 2.2.1.
----
I also sometimes encounter a partially populated view:
I haven't determined under which conditions that variant occurs vs. the fully blank view, but the workaround applies to both.
<a name="workaround"></a>
#### Workaround
1. Select **File > Quit** from the Arduino IDE menus.
1. Start Arduino IDE.
1. Select the window of the sketch you were attempting to use the debugger with previously.
The "**DEBUG**" panel will now be populated with the standard debugger UI.
1. Click the "Start Debugging" button on the Arduino IDE toolbar.
The debugger will now be initialized and work as usual.
### Issue checklist
- [X] I searched for previous reports in [the issue tracker](https://github.com/arduino/arduino-ide/issues?q=)
- [X] I verified the problem still occurs when using the latest [nightly build](https://www.arduino.cc/en/software#nightly-builds)
- [X] My report contains all necessary details
The bug was fixed yesterday so if it is bothersome to you you can get the fix by using the latest nightly build of Arduino IDE. The nightly build download links are listed here:
https://www.arduino.cc/en/software#nightly-builds
Although the nightly build is generally intended to be used for beta testing, since the 2.3.0 release was made so recently the bug fix is the only difference between the release version and the current nightly build so the nightly should be as stable as the release version.