Deploy and Debug Tomcat with Docker in IDEA

Build Docker Image

Create docker-compose.yml and edit like following codes:

tomcat:
  image: "tomcat:latest"
  ports:
    - "127.0.0.1:8000:8000"
    - "127.0.0.1:8888:8080"
  environment:
    - JPDA_ADDRESS=8000
    - JPDA_TRANSPORT=dt_socket
  volumes:
    - /path/to/war/file/directory:/usr/local/tomcat/webapps
  container_name: tomcat-literature
  command: "/usr/local/tomcat/bin/catalina.sh jpda run"
  restart: always

The key point in the config file is the two environment variables:

JPDA_ADDRESS=8000
JPDA_TRANSPORT=dt_socket

Caveat

You may set the JPDA_ADDRESS value *:8000, which makes Tomcat listen on 0.0.0.0 other than 127.0.0.1.

Run Docker Container

In the directory of docker-compose.yml, execute command:

docker-compose up -d

Debug in IDEA

1. add a Remote Run Configuration

2. set a breakpoint in your program anywhere you like

3. swith to Run Configuration which setup in first step, and click debug