# Using the Debugger

The Flash Debugger allows you to find errors in a movie while it's running in the Flash Player. You can use the Debugger in test mode with local files, or you can use the Debugger to test files on a Web server in a remote location. The Debugger lets you set breakpoints in your ActionScript that stop the Flash Player and step through the code as it runs. You can then go back to your scripts and edit them so that they produce the correct results.

Once activated, the Debugger status bar displays the URL or local file path of the movie, tells whether the Debugger is running in test mode or from a remote location, and shows a live view of the movie clip display list. When movie clips are added to or removed from the movie, the display list reflects the changes immediately. You can resize the display list by moving the horizontal splitter.

To activate the Debugger in test mode:

Choose Control > Debug Movie.

This opens the Debugger. It also opens the movie in test mode.