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title: Running and Debugging a Plugin
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The *IntelliJ Platform* allows you to run and debug a plugin without leaving the IDE. To run or debug the plugin from within *IntelliJ IDEA*, you need a configured special profile (a Run/Debug configuration) that specifies the class to run, VM parameters and other specific options. In most cases, you can use the default *Run/Debug* configuration profiles for your plugin projects.
For information on how to change the Run/Debug configuration profile, refer to [Run/Debug Configuration](http://www.jetbrains.com/idea/help/run-debug-configuration.html) and [Run/Debug Configuration: Plugin](http://www.jetbrains.com/idea/help/run-debug-configuration-plugin.html) in *IntelliJ IDEA* Web Help.
Using *IntelliJ IDEA*'s debugger, you can find out the origin of the run-time errors and exceptions.
**To debug a plugin**
* Select **Run \| Debug** in the main menu, or press Shift + F9.
**To run a plugin**
* Select **Run \| Run** in the main menu, or press Shift + F10.