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title: Running and Debugging a Plugin
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It's possible to run and debug a plugin directly from the *IntelliJ IDEA*. You need a configured special profile (a *Plugin* Run/Debug configuration) that specifies the plugin module, VM parameters and other specific options. When you run such profile, it launches the IDE with your plugin installed.
See [IDE Development Instances](/basics/ide_development_instance.md) for more information about configuration and advanced settings.
For information on how to change the Run/Debug configuration profile, refer to [Run/Debug Configuration](https://www.jetbrains.com/help/idea/run-debug-configuration.html) and [Run/Debug Configuration: Plugin](https://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.