Delve

C
C tier on DebuggersScore 6.6 · #7 of 27
Android app
Not listed
Free plan
No
Runs on
api, Linux, Mac, self-hosted, Windows
github.com
The Delve homepage

Summary

Delve is a debugger for programs written in Go, with command-line tools for debugging, executing, and testing code. It lets developers control program execution, evaluate variables, and inspect threads, goroutines, and CPU register state. Its commands cover attaching to a running process, working with packages or precompiled binaries, tracing a program, examining a core dump, and replaying an rr trace. A headless Delve instance can serve a separate client through a JSON-RPC 1.0 API, available in APIv1 and APIv2, with controls such as halt, continue, next, step, and stepout. The project lists integrations for GoLand, IntelliJ IDEA, Vim and Neovim, Visual Studio Code, Emacs, and other editors. Pre-built binaries are available for Linux, macOS, and Windows, and installation through Go is documented. Listed supported targets are Linux amd64, arm64, and 386; Windows amd64; and macOS amd64. The project also documents installation on FreeBSD, but its FAQ says other unsupported operating systems and architectures have no planned support ETA. Delve is MIT-licensed.

Who it is for

Delve suits Go developers who need command-line debugging, editor integrations, or inspection of core dumps. It may also suit users building a separate client around its headless API, provided they account for the security warning.

What is good

  • Controls execution and inspects runtime state
  • Supports core dump debugging and rr replay
  • Integrates with several editors
  • Free and MIT-licensed

What to know first

  • Headless connections are unauthenticated
  • Headless access can allow remote code execution
  • Supported architecture combinations are limited

Verdict

Delve provides Go-focused debugging across command-line workflows, editor integrations, and a headless API. Avoid exposing headless remote connections in production, and check the listed target combinations before installing.

Compared on debuggers

Free plan
Yesgithub.com
Supported languages
Gogithub.com
Target platforms
Linux, macOS, Windows, FreeBSDgithub.com
Remote debugging
Yesgithub.com
Conditional breakpoints
Yesgithub.com
Exception breakpoints
Yesgithub.com
Time-travel debugging
Yesgithub.com
Core dump debugging
Yesgithub.com

Facts

Purpose
Delve is a debugger for the Go programming language, designed to be simple to invoke and use.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Debugging modes
The command line supports debugging, executing, and testing programs, including headless mode for a separate client.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Debugger controls
Its API supports commands including halt, continue, next, step, and stepout.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Client API
A headless Delve instance exposes an API built on JSON-RPC 1.0, with APIv1 and APIv2 versions.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Editor integrations
The project lists integrations for GoLand, IntelliJ IDEA, Vim and Neovim, Visual Studio Code, Emacs, and other editors.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Downloads
Pre-built binaries are available for Linux, macOS, and Windows, and the project also documents installation with Go.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Supported systems
The FAQ lists Linux on amd64, arm64, and 386, Windows on amd64, and macOS on amd64 as supported combinations.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Architecture limits
The FAQ says other operating systems and architectures are unsupported and have no planned support ETA.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Security
The FAQ warns that headless connections are unauthenticated and allow arbitrary remote code execution, and says not to use them in production.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Release verification
Installation documentation describes verifying release checksums with cosign and sha256sum.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Support
The project says its GitHub issue tracker is for bug reports and directs feature proposals and discussions to the developer mailing list.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
License
The repository identifies its license as MIT.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Debugging
It lets users control program execution, evaluate variables, and inspect thread, goroutine, and CPU register state.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Debug commands
Its documented commands include attaching to a running process, debugging or testing a package, executing a precompiled binary, tracing a program, examining a core dump, and replaying an rr trace.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Alternative interfaces
The project lists Gdlv and Debugger as alternative user interfaces for Delve.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Operating systems
The installation guide says its instructions are known to work on Linux, macOS, Windows, and FreeBSD.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Installation requirement
The documented Go installation command requires Go version 1.16 or later.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Remote debugging security
The FAQ warns that headless remote connections are unauthenticated and can allow arbitrary remote code execution, and says not to use this setup in production.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Remote debugging guidance
For remote debugging, the FAQ recommends avoiding public networks and using SSH tunnels or a VPN if remote access is necessary.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Supported targets
The FAQ lists Linux amd64, arm64, and 386; Windows amd64; and macOS amd64, and says there is no planned ETA for other operating systems or architectures.github.com · 30 Sept 2026
Support channel
The README says the issue tracker is for bugs and directs feature proposals and discussions to the developer mailing list.github.com · 30 Sept 2026

Best Delve alternatives

See all 12

Where it ranks on Everything Xiaomi

Is Delve yours?

Claim it for free: prove the domain, then correct facts, plans and screenshots. An editor reviews every change.

Sources