How to debug Node.js apps in Visual Studio Code

Visual Studio Code offers comprehensive tools for effectively debugging Node.js applications, supporting projects that transpile to JavaScript, such as those written in TypeScript. Users can initiate a debugging session by inspecting the call stack, evaluating expressions, and stepping through code. Setting up a debugging environment involves creating a launch configuration file, allowing for reusability and easy setup for future sessions. Breakpoints and logpoints enable detailed inspection and logging without altering the code, while commands like 'Step Over' and 'Step Into' help trace code execution paths. The editor's VARIABLES and WATCH panes facilitate real-time monitoring of values and expressions, and features like source maps support TypeScript debugging. The guide also highlights attaching to external Node.js processes, utilizing launch configurations, and tools like LogRocket for monitoring network requests and user sessions, enhancing debugging and performance analysis.