diff --git a/res/scripts/stdlib.lua b/res/scripts/stdlib.lua
index b08e8c02..3f732e07 100644
--- a/res/scripts/stdlib.lua
+++ b/res/scripts/stdlib.lua
@@ -587,6 +587,7 @@ function __process_post_runnables()
         __vc_named_coroutines[name] = nil
     end
 
+    debug.pull_events()
     network.__process_events()
     block.__process_register_events()
     block.__perform_ticks(time.delta())
diff --git a/res/scripts/stdmin.lua b/res/scripts/stdmin.lua
index 26d5d813..df5c7ce2 100644
--- a/res/scripts/stdmin.lua
+++ b/res/scripts/stdmin.lua
@@ -1,3 +1,144 @@
+local breakpoints = {}
+local dbg_steps_mode = false
+local dbg_step_into_func = false
+local hook_lock = false
+local current_func
+local current_func_stack_size
+
+local _debug_getinfo = debug.getinfo
+local _debug_getlocal = debug.getlocal
+local __pause = debug.pause
+local __error = error
+local __sethook = debug.sethook
+
+-- 'return' hook not called for some functions
+-- todo: speedup
+local function calc_stack_size()
+    local s = debug.traceback("", 2)
+    local count = 0
+    for i in s:gmatch("\n") do
+        count = count + 1
+    end
+    return count
+end
+
+local is_debugging = debug.is_debugging()
+if is_debugging then
+    __sethook(function (e, line)
+        if e == "return" then
+            local info = _debug_getinfo(2)
+            if info.func == current_func then
+                current_func = nil
+            end
+        end
+        if dbg_steps_mode and not hook_lock then
+            hook_lock = true
+
+            if not dbg_step_into_func then
+                local func = _debug_getinfo(2).func
+                if func ~= current_func then
+                    return
+                end
+                if current_func_stack_size ~= calc_stack_size() then
+                    return
+                end
+            end
+            current_func = func
+            __pause("step")
+            debug.pull_events()
+        end
+        hook_lock = false
+        local bps = breakpoints[line]
+        if not bps then
+            return
+        end
+        local source = _debug_getinfo(2).source
+        if not bps[source] then
+            return
+        end
+        current_func = _debug_getinfo(2).func
+        current_func_stack_size = calc_stack_size()
+        __pause("breakpoint")
+        debug.pull_events()
+    end, "lr")
+end
+
+local DBG_EVENT_SET_BREAKPOINT = 1
+local DBG_EVENT_RM_BREAKPOINT = 2
+local DBG_EVENT_STEP = 3
+local DBG_EVENT_STEP_INTO_FUNCTION = 4
+local DBG_EVENT_RESUME = 5
+local DBG_EVENT_GET_VALUE = 6
+local __pull_events = debug.__pull_events
+local __sendvalue = debug.__sendvalue
+debug.__pull_events = nil
+debug.__sendvalue = nil
+
+function debug.pull_events()
+    if not is_debugging then
+        return
+    end
+    if not debug.is_debugging() then
+        is_debugging = false
+        __sethook()
+    end
+    local events = __pull_events()
+    if not events then
+        return
+    end
+    for i, event in ipairs(events) do
+        if event[1] == DBG_EVENT_SET_BREAKPOINT then
+            debug.set_breakpoint(event[2], event[3])
+        elseif event[1] == DBG_EVENT_RM_BREAKPOINT then
+            debug.remove_breakpoint(event[2], event[3])
+        elseif event[1] == DBG_EVENT_STEP then
+            dbg_steps_mode = true
+            dbg_step_into_func = false
+        elseif event[1] == DBG_EVENT_STEP_INTO_FUNCTION then
+            dbg_steps_mode = true
+            dbg_step_into_func = true
+        elseif event[1] == DBG_EVENT_RESUME then
+            dbg_steps_mode = false
+            dbg_step_into_func = false
+        elseif event[1] == DBG_EVENT_GET_VALUE then
+            local _, value = _debug_getlocal(event[2] + 3, event[3])
+            for _, key in ipairs(event[4]) do
+                if value == nil then
+                    value = "error: index nil value"
+                    break
+                end
+                value = value[key]
+            end
+            __sendvalue(value, event[2], event[3], event[4])
+            __pause()
+        end
+    end
+end
+
+function debug.set_breakpoint(source, line)
+    local bps = breakpoints[line]
+    if not bps then
+        bps = {}
+        breakpoints[line] = bps
+    end
+    bps[source] = true
+end
+
+function debug.remove_breakpoint(source, line)
+    local bps = breakpoints[line]
+    if not bps then
+        return
+    end
+    bps[source] = nil
+end
+
+function error(message, level)
+    if is_debugging then
+        __pause("exception", message)
+    end
+    __error(message, level)
+end
+
 -- Lua has no parallelizm, also _set_data does not call any lua functions so
 -- may be reused one global ffi buffer per lua_State
 local canvas_ffi_buffer
@@ -473,8 +614,6 @@ function file.readlines(path)
     return lines
 end
 
-local _debug_getinfo = debug.getinfo
-
 function debug.count_frames()
     local frames = 1
     while true do
diff --git a/src/devtools/DebuggingServer.cpp b/src/devtools/DebuggingServer.cpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..09a2b368
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/devtools/DebuggingServer.cpp
@@ -0,0 +1,315 @@
+#include "DebuggingServer.hpp"
+
+#include "engine/Engine.hpp"
+#include "network/Network.hpp"
+#include "debug/Logger.hpp"
+#include "coders/json.hpp"
+
+using namespace devtools;
+
+static debug::Logger logger("debug-server");
+
+ClientConnection::~ClientConnection() {
+    if (auto connection = dynamic_cast<network::ReadableConnection*>(
+        network.getConnection(this->connection, true)
+    )) {
+        connection->close();
+    }
+}
+
+bool ClientConnection::initiate(network::ReadableConnection* connection) {
+    if (connection->available() < 8) {
+        return false;
+    }
+    char buffer[8] {};
+    char expected[8] {};
+    std::memcpy(expected, VCDBG_MAGIC, sizeof(VCDBG_MAGIC));
+    expected[6] = VCDBG_VERSION >> 8;
+    expected[7] = VCDBG_VERSION & 0xFF;
+    connection->recv(buffer, sizeof(VCDBG_MAGIC));
+
+    connection->send(expected, sizeof(VCDBG_MAGIC));
+    if (std::memcmp(expected, buffer, sizeof(VCDBG_MAGIC)) == 0) {
+        initiated = true;
+        return false;
+    } else {
+        connection->close(true);
+        return true;
+    }
+}
+
+std::string ClientConnection::read() {
+    auto connection = dynamic_cast<network::ReadableConnection*>(
+        network.getConnection(this->connection, true)
+    );
+    if (connection == nullptr) {
+        return "";
+    }
+    if (!initiated) {
+        if (initiate(connection)) {
+            return "";
+        }
+    }
+    if (messageLength == 0) {
+        if (connection->available() >= sizeof(int32_t)) {
+            int32_t length = 0;
+            connection->recv(reinterpret_cast<char*>(&length), sizeof(int32_t));
+            if (length <= 0) {
+                logger.error() << "invalid message length " << length;
+            } else {
+                logger.info() << "message length " << length;
+                messageLength = length;
+            }
+        }
+    } else if (connection->available() >= messageLength) {
+        std::string string(messageLength, 0);
+        connection->recv(string.data(), messageLength);
+        messageLength = 0;
+        return string;
+    }
+    return "";
+}
+
+void ClientConnection::send(const dv::value& object) {
+    auto connection = dynamic_cast<network::ReadableConnection*>(
+        network.getConnection(this->connection, true)
+    );
+    if (connection == nullptr) {
+        return;
+    }
+    auto message = json::stringify(object, false);
+    int32_t length = message.length();
+    connection->send(reinterpret_cast<char*>(&length), sizeof(int32_t));
+    connection->send(message.data(), length);
+}
+
+void ClientConnection::sendResponse(const std::string& type) {
+    send(dv::object({{"type", type}}));
+}
+
+bool ClientConnection::alive() const {
+    return network.getConnection(this->connection, true) != nullptr;
+}
+
+static network::Server& create_tcp_server(
+    DebuggingServer& dbgServer, Engine& engine, int port
+) {
+    auto& network = engine.getNetwork();
+    u64id_t serverId = network.openTcpServer(
+        port,
+        [&network, &dbgServer](u64id_t sid, u64id_t id) {
+            auto& connection = dynamic_cast<network::ReadableConnection&>(
+                *network.getConnection(id, true)
+            );
+            connection.setPrivate(true);
+            logger.info() << "connected client " << id << ": "
+                          << connection.getAddress() << ":"
+                          << connection.getPort();
+            dbgServer.setClient(id);
+        }
+    );
+    auto& server = *network.getServer(serverId, true);
+    server.setPrivate(true);
+
+    auto& tcpServer = dynamic_cast<network::TcpServer&>(server);
+    tcpServer.setMaxClientsConnected(1);
+
+    logger.info() << "tcp debugging server open at port " << server.getPort();
+
+    return tcpServer;
+}
+
+static network::Server& create_server(
+    DebuggingServer& dbgServer, Engine& engine, const std::string& serverString
+) {
+    logger.info() << "starting debugging server";
+
+    size_t sepPos = serverString.find(':');
+    if (sepPos == std::string::npos) {
+        throw std::runtime_error("invalid debugging server configuration string");
+    }
+    auto transport = serverString.substr(0, sepPos);
+    if (transport == "tcp") {
+        int port;
+        try {
+            port = std::stoi(serverString.substr(sepPos + 1));
+        } catch (const std::exception& err) {
+            throw std::runtime_error("invalid tcp port");
+        }
+        return create_tcp_server(dbgServer, engine, port);
+    } else {
+        throw std::runtime_error(
+            "unsupported debugging server transport '" + transport + "'"
+        );
+    }
+}
+
+DebuggingServer::DebuggingServer(
+    Engine& engine, const std::string& serverString
+)
+    : engine(engine),
+      server(create_server(*this, engine, serverString)),
+      connection(nullptr) {
+}
+
+DebuggingServer::~DebuggingServer() {
+    logger.info() << "stopping debugging server";
+    server.close();
+}
+
+
+bool DebuggingServer::update() {
+    if (connection == nullptr) {
+        return false;
+    }
+    std::string message = connection->read();
+    if (message.empty()) {
+        if (!connection->alive()) {
+            bool status = performCommand(disconnectAction, dv::object());
+            connection.reset();
+            return status;
+        }
+        return false;
+    }
+    logger.debug() << "received: " << message;
+    try {
+        auto obj = json::parse(message);
+        if (!obj.has("type")) {
+            logger.error() << "missing message type";
+            return false;
+        }
+        const auto& type = obj["type"].asString();
+        if (performCommand(type, obj)) {
+            connection->sendResponse("resumed");
+            return true;
+        }
+    } catch (const std::runtime_error& err) {
+        logger.error() << "could not to parse message: " << err.what();
+    }
+    return false;
+}
+
+bool DebuggingServer::performCommand(
+    const std::string& type, const dv::value& map
+) {
+    if (!connectionEstablished && type == "connect") {
+        map.at("disconnect-action").get(disconnectAction);
+        connectionEstablished = true;
+        logger.info() << "client connection established";
+        connection->sendResponse("success");
+    }
+    if (!connectionEstablished) {
+        return false;
+    }
+    if (type == "terminate") {
+        engine.quit();
+        connection->sendResponse("success");
+    } else if (type == "detach") {
+        connection->sendResponse("success");
+        connection.reset();
+        engine.detachDebugger();
+        return false;
+    } else if (type == "set-breakpoint" || type == "remove-breakpoint") {
+        if (!map.has("source") || !map.has("line"))
+            return false;
+        breakpointEvents.push_back(DebuggingEvent {
+            type[0] == 's' 
+            ? DebuggingEventType::SET_BREAKPOINT
+            : DebuggingEventType::REMOVE_BREAKPOINT,
+            BreakpointEventDto {
+                map["source"].asString(),
+                static_cast<int>(map["line"].asInteger()),
+            }
+        });
+    } else if (type == "step" || type == "step-into-function") {
+        breakpointEvents.push_back(DebuggingEvent {
+            type == "step"
+            ? DebuggingEventType::STEP
+            : DebuggingEventType::STEP_INTO_FUNCTION,
+            SignalEventDto {}
+        });
+        return true;
+    } else if (type == "resume") {
+        breakpointEvents.push_back(DebuggingEvent {
+            DebuggingEventType::RESUME, SignalEventDto {}});
+        return true;
+    } else if (type == "get-value") {
+        if (!map.has("frame") || !map.has("local") || !map.has("path"))
+            return false;
+
+        int frame = map["frame"].asInteger();
+        int localIndex = map["local"].asInteger();
+
+        ValuePath path;
+        for (const auto& segment : map["path"]) {
+            if (segment.isString()) {
+                path.emplace_back(segment.asString());
+            } else {
+                path.emplace_back(static_cast<int>(segment.asInteger()));
+            }
+        }
+        breakpointEvents.push_back(DebuggingEvent {
+            DebuggingEventType::GET_VALUE, GetValueEventDto {
+                frame, localIndex, std::move(path)
+            }
+        });
+        return true;
+    } else {
+        logger.error() << "unsupported command '" << type << "'";
+    }
+    return false;
+}
+
+void DebuggingServer::pause(
+    std::string&& reason, std::string&& message, dv::value&& stackTrace
+) {
+    if (connection == nullptr) {
+        return;
+    }
+    auto response = dv::object({{"type", std::string("paused")}});
+    if (!reason.empty()) {
+        response["reason"] = std::move(reason);
+    }
+    if (!message.empty()) {
+        response["message"] = std::move(message);
+    }
+    if (stackTrace != nullptr) {
+        response["stack"] = std::move(stackTrace);
+    }
+    connection->send(std::move(response));
+    engine.startPauseLoop();
+}
+
+void DebuggingServer::sendValue(
+    dv::value&& value, int frame, int local, ValuePath&& path
+) {
+    auto pathValue = dv::list();
+    for (const auto& segment : path) {
+        if (auto string = std::get_if<std::string>(&segment)) {
+            pathValue.add(*string);
+        } else {
+            pathValue.add(std::get<int>(segment));
+        }
+    }
+    connection->send(dv::object({
+        {"type", std::string("value")},
+        {"frame", frame},
+        {"local", local},
+        {"path", std::move(pathValue)},
+        {"value", std::move(value)},
+    }));
+}
+
+void DebuggingServer::setClient(u64id_t client) {
+    connection =
+        std::make_unique<ClientConnection>(engine.getNetwork(), client);
+    connectionEstablished = false;
+}
+
+std::vector<DebuggingEvent> DebuggingServer::pullEvents() {
+    return std::move(breakpointEvents);
+}
+
+void DebuggingServer::setDisconnectAction(const std::string& action) {
+    disconnectAction = action;
+}
diff --git a/src/devtools/DebuggingServer.hpp b/src/devtools/DebuggingServer.hpp
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..b02229c6
--- /dev/null
+++ b/src/devtools/DebuggingServer.hpp
@@ -0,0 +1,106 @@
+#pragma once
+
+#include <memory>
+#include <string>
+#include <vector>
+#include <variant>
+
+#include "typedefs.hpp"
+
+namespace network {
+    class Server;
+    class Connection;
+    class ReadableConnection;
+    class Network;
+}
+
+namespace dv {
+    class value;
+}
+
+class Engine;
+
+namespace devtools {
+    inline constexpr const char VCDBG_MAGIC[8] = "vc-dbg\0";
+    inline constexpr int VCDBG_VERSION = 1;
+
+    class ClientConnection {
+    public:
+        ClientConnection(network::Network& network, u64id_t connection)
+            : network(network), connection(connection) {
+        }
+        ~ClientConnection();
+
+        std::string read();
+        void send(const dv::value& message);
+        void sendResponse(const std::string& type);
+
+        bool alive() const;
+    private:
+        network::Network& network;
+        size_t messageLength = 0;
+        u64id_t connection;
+        bool initiated = false;
+    
+        bool initiate(network::ReadableConnection* connection);
+    };
+
+    enum class DebuggingEventType {
+        SET_BREAKPOINT = 1,
+        REMOVE_BREAKPOINT,
+        STEP,
+        STEP_INTO_FUNCTION,
+        RESUME,
+        GET_VALUE,
+    };
+
+    struct BreakpointEventDto {
+        std::string source;
+        int line;
+    };
+
+    struct SignalEventDto {
+    };
+
+    using ValuePath = std::vector<std::variant<std::string, int>>;
+
+    struct GetValueEventDto {
+        int frame;
+        int localIndex;
+        ValuePath path;
+    };
+
+    struct DebuggingEvent {
+        DebuggingEventType type;
+        std::variant<BreakpointEventDto, SignalEventDto, GetValueEventDto> data;
+    };
+
+    class DebuggingServer {
+    public:
+        DebuggingServer(Engine& engine, const std::string& serverString);
+        ~DebuggingServer();
+
+        bool update();
+        void pause(
+            std::string&& reason, std::string&& message, dv::value&& stackTrace
+        );
+
+        void sendValue(dv::value&& value, int frame, int local, ValuePath&& path);
+
+        void setClient(u64id_t client);
+        std::vector<DebuggingEvent> pullEvents();
+
+        void setDisconnectAction(const std::string& action);
+    private:
+        Engine& engine;
+        network::Server& server;
+        std::unique_ptr<ClientConnection> connection;
+        bool connectionEstablished = false;
+        std::vector<DebuggingEvent> breakpointEvents;
+        std::string disconnectAction = "resume";
+
+        bool performCommand(
+            const std::string& type, const dv::value& map
+        );
+    };
+}
diff --git a/src/engine/Engine.cpp b/src/engine/Engine.cpp
index d2a4eb20..a977f354 100644
--- a/src/engine/Engine.cpp
+++ b/src/engine/Engine.cpp
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@
 #include "coders/commons.hpp"
 #include "devtools/Editor.hpp"
 #include "devtools/Project.hpp"
+#include "devtools/DebuggingServer.hpp"
 #include "content/ContentControl.hpp"
 #include "core_defs.hpp"
 #include "io/io.hpp"
@@ -115,6 +116,9 @@ void Engine::initializeClient() {
     if (ENGINE_DEBUG_BUILD) {
         title += " [debug]";
     }
+    if (debuggingServer) {
+        title = "[debugging] " + title;
+    }
     auto [window, input] = Window::initialize(&settings.display, title);
     if (!window || !input){
         throw initialize_error("could not initialize window");
@@ -173,6 +177,18 @@ void Engine::initialize(CoreParameters coreParameters) {
     cmd = std::make_unique<cmd::CommandsInterpreter>();
     network = network::Network::create(settings.network);
 
+    if (!params.debugServerString.empty()) {
+        try {
+            debuggingServer = std::make_unique<devtools::DebuggingServer>(
+                *this, params.debugServerString
+            );
+        } catch (const std::runtime_error& err) {
+            throw initialize_error(
+                "debugging server error: " + std::string(err.what())
+            );
+        }
+    }
+
     if (!params.scriptFile.empty()) {
         paths.setScriptFolder(params.scriptFile.parent_path());
     }
@@ -266,6 +282,14 @@ void Engine::postUpdate() {
     network->update();
     postRunnables.run();
     scripting::process_post_runnables();
+
+    if (debuggingServer) {
+        debuggingServer->update();
+    }
+}
+
+void Engine::detachDebugger() {
+    debuggingServer.reset();
 }
 
 void Engine::updateFrontend() {
@@ -287,6 +311,30 @@ void Engine::nextFrame() {
     input->pollEvents();
 }
 
+void Engine::startPauseLoop() {
+    bool initialCursorLocked = false;
+    if (!isHeadless()) {
+        initialCursorLocked = input->isCursorLocked();
+        if (initialCursorLocked) {
+            input->toggleCursor();
+        }
+    }
+    while (!isQuitSignal() && debuggingServer) {
+        network->update();
+        if (debuggingServer->update()) {
+            break;
+        }
+        if (isHeadless()) {
+            platform::sleep(1.0 / params.tps * 1000);
+        } else {
+            nextFrame();
+        }
+    }
+    if (initialCursorLocked) {
+        input->toggleCursor();
+    }
+}
+
 void Engine::renderFrame() {
     screen->draw(time.getDelta());
 
@@ -299,7 +347,11 @@ void Engine::saveSettings() {
     io::write_string(EnginePaths::SETTINGS_FILE, toml::stringify(*settingsHandler));
     if (!params.headless) {
         logger.info() << "saving bindings";
-        io::write_string(EnginePaths::CONTROLS_FILE, input->getBindings().write());
+        if (input) {
+            io::write_string(
+                EnginePaths::CONTROLS_FILE, input->getBindings().write()
+            );
+        }
     }
 }
 
@@ -318,6 +370,7 @@ void Engine::close() {
         logger.info() << "gui finished";
     }
     audio::close();
+    debuggingServer.reset();
     network.reset();
     clearKeepedObjects();
     project.reset();
diff --git a/src/engine/Engine.hpp b/src/engine/Engine.hpp
index 1f9438c0..67acc498 100644
--- a/src/engine/Engine.hpp
+++ b/src/engine/Engine.hpp
@@ -36,6 +36,7 @@ namespace network {
 
 namespace devtools {
     class Editor;
+    class DebuggingServer;
 }
 
 class initialize_error : public std::runtime_error {
@@ -50,6 +51,7 @@ struct CoreParameters {
     std::filesystem::path userFolder = ".";
     std::filesystem::path scriptFile;
     std::filesystem::path projectFolder;
+    std::string debugServerString = "tcp:9030";
     int tps = 20;
 };
 
@@ -72,6 +74,7 @@ class Engine : public util::ObjectsKeeper {
     std::unique_ptr<Input> input;
     std::unique_ptr<gui::GUI> gui;
     std::unique_ptr<devtools::Editor> editor;
+    std::unique_ptr<devtools::DebuggingServer> debuggingServer;
     PostRunnables postRunnables;
     Time time;
     OnWorldOpen levelConsumer;
@@ -105,6 +108,7 @@ public:
     void updateFrontend();
     void renderFrame();
     void nextFrame();
+    void startPauseLoop();
     
     /// @brief Set screen (scene).
     /// nullptr may be used to delete previous screen before creating new one,
@@ -182,4 +186,10 @@ public:
     const Project& getProject() {
         return *project;
     }
+
+    devtools::DebuggingServer* getDebuggingServer() {
+        return debuggingServer.get();
+    }
+
+    void detachDebugger();
 };
diff --git a/src/logic/scripting/lua/lua_extensions.cpp b/src/logic/scripting/lua/lua_extensions.cpp
index b9c25fc6..27b47fae 100644
--- a/src/logic/scripting/lua/lua_extensions.cpp
+++ b/src/logic/scripting/lua/lua_extensions.cpp
@@ -1,11 +1,15 @@
 #include <iostream>
 #include <iomanip>
 #include <random>
+#include <sstream>
 
 #include "libs/api_lua.hpp"
 #include "debug/Logger.hpp"
+#include "engine/Engine.hpp"
+#include "devtools/DebuggingServer.hpp"
 #include "logic/scripting/scripting.hpp"
 
+using namespace devtools;
 using namespace scripting;
 
 static debug::Logger logger("lua-debug");
@@ -159,6 +163,223 @@ static int l_math_normal_random(lua::State* L) {
     return lua::pushnumber(L, randomFloats(generator));
 }
 
+constexpr inline int MAX_SHORT_STRING_LEN = 50;
+
+static std::string get_short_value(lua::State* L, int idx, int type) {
+    switch (type) {
+        case LUA_TNIL:
+            return "nil";
+        case LUA_TBOOLEAN:
+            return lua::toboolean(L, idx) ? "true" : "false";
+        case LUA_TNUMBER: {
+            std::stringstream ss;
+            ss << lua::tonumber(L, idx);
+            return ss.str();
+        }
+        case LUA_TSTRING: {
+            const char* str = lua::tostring(L, idx);
+            if (strlen(str) > MAX_SHORT_STRING_LEN) {
+                return std::string(str, MAX_SHORT_STRING_LEN);
+            } else {
+                return str;
+            }
+        }
+        case LUA_TTABLE:
+            return "{...}";
+        case LUA_TFUNCTION: {
+            std::stringstream ss;
+            ss << "function: 0x" << std::hex
+               << reinterpret_cast<ptrdiff_t>(lua::topointer(L, idx));
+            return ss.str();
+        }
+        case LUA_TUSERDATA: {
+            std::stringstream ss;
+            ss << "userdata: 0x" << std::hex
+               << reinterpret_cast<ptrdiff_t>(lua::topointer(L, idx));
+            return ss.str();
+        }
+        case LUA_TTHREAD: {
+            std::stringstream ss;
+            ss << "thread: 0x" << std::hex
+               << reinterpret_cast<ptrdiff_t>(lua::topointer(L, idx));
+            return ss.str();
+        }
+        default: {
+            std::stringstream ss;
+            ss << "cdata: 0x" << std::hex
+               << reinterpret_cast<ptrdiff_t>(lua::topointer(L, idx));
+            return ss.str();
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+static dv::value collect_locals(lua::State* L, lua_Debug& frame) {
+    auto locals = dv::list();
+
+    int localIndex = 1;
+    const char* name;
+    while ((name = lua_getlocal(L, &frame, localIndex++))) {
+        if (name[0] == '(') {
+            lua::pop(L);
+            continue;
+        }
+        auto local = dv::object();
+        local["name"] = name;
+        local["index"] = localIndex - 1;
+
+        int type = lua::type(L, -1);
+        local["type"] = lua::type_name(L, type);
+        local["short"] = get_short_value(L, -1, type);
+        locals.add(std::move(local));
+        lua::pop(L);
+    }
+    return locals;
+}
+
+static dv::value create_stack_trace(lua::State* L, int initFrame = 2) {
+    auto entriesList = dv::list();
+
+    lua_Debug frame;
+    int level = initFrame;
+    
+    while (lua_getstack(L, level, &frame)) {
+        auto entry = dv::object();
+        if (lua_getinfo(L, "nSlf", &frame) == 0) {
+            level++;
+            entriesList.add(std::move(entry));
+            continue;
+        }
+        if (frame.name) {
+            entry["function"] = frame.name;
+        }
+        if (frame.source) {
+            const char* src =
+                (frame.source[0] == '@') ? frame.source + 1 : frame.source;
+            entry["source"] = src;
+            entry["line"] = frame.currentline;
+        }
+        entry["what"] = frame.what;
+        entry["locals"] = collect_locals(L, frame);
+        entriesList.add(std::move(entry));
+        level++;
+    }
+    return entriesList;
+}
+
+static int l_debug_pause(lua::State* L) {
+    if (auto server = engine->getDebuggingServer()) {
+        std::string reason;
+        std::string message;
+        if (lua::isstring(L, 1)) {
+            reason = lua::tolstring(L, 1);
+        }
+        if (lua::isstring(L, 2)) {
+            message = lua::tolstring(L, 2);
+        }
+        server->pause(
+            std::move(reason), std::move(message), create_stack_trace(L)
+        );
+    }
+    return 0;
+}
+
+static int l_debug_sendvalue(lua::State* L) {
+    auto server = engine->getDebuggingServer();
+    if (!server) {
+        return 0;
+    }
+    int frame = lua::tointeger(L, 2);
+    int local = lua::tointeger(L, 3);
+
+    ValuePath path;
+    int pathSectors = lua::objlen(L, 4);
+    for (int i = 0; i < pathSectors; i++) {
+        lua::rawgeti(L, i + 1, 4);
+        if (lua::isstring(L, -1)) {
+            path.emplace_back(lua::tostring(L, -1));
+        } else {
+            path.emplace_back(static_cast<int>(lua::tointeger(L, -1)));
+        }
+        lua::pop(L);
+    }
+
+    dv::value value = nullptr;
+    if (lua::istable(L, 1)) {
+        auto table = dv::object();
+
+        lua::pushnil(L);
+        while (lua::next(L, 1)) {
+            auto key = lua::tolstring(L, -2);
+
+            int type = lua::type(L, -1);
+            table[std::string(key)] = dv::object({
+                {"type", std::string(lua::type_name(L, type))},
+                {"short", get_short_value(L, -1, type)},
+            });
+            lua::pop(L);
+        }
+        lua::pop(L);
+        value = std::move(table);
+    } else {
+        value = lua::tovalue(L, 1);
+    }
+
+    server->sendValue(std::move(value), frame, local, std::move(path));
+    return 0;
+}
+
+static int l_debug_pull_events(lua::State* L) {
+    auto server = engine->getDebuggingServer();
+    if (!server) {
+        return 0;
+    }
+    auto events = server->pullEvents();
+    if (events.empty()) {
+        return 0;
+    }
+    lua::createtable(L, events.size(), 0);
+    for (int i = 0; i < events.size(); i++) {
+        const auto& event = events[i];
+        lua::createtable(L, 3, 0);
+
+        lua::pushinteger(L, static_cast<int>(event.type));
+        lua::rawseti(L, 1);
+
+        if (auto dto = std::get_if<BreakpointEventDto>(&event.data)) {
+            lua::pushstring(L, dto->source);
+            lua::rawseti(L, 2);
+
+            lua::pushinteger(L, dto->line);
+            lua::rawseti(L, 3);
+        } else if (auto dto = std::get_if<GetValueEventDto>(&event.data)) {
+            lua::pushinteger(L, dto->frame);
+            lua::rawseti(L, 2);
+
+            lua::pushinteger(L, dto->localIndex);
+            lua::rawseti(L, 3);
+
+            lua::createtable(L, dto->path.size(), 0);
+            for (int i = 0; i < dto->path.size(); i++) {
+                const auto& segment = dto->path[i];
+                if (auto string = std::get_if<std::string>(&segment)) {
+                    lua::pushstring(L, *string);
+                } else {
+                    lua::pushinteger(L, std::get<int>(segment));
+                }
+                lua::rawseti(L, i + 1);
+            }
+            lua::rawseti(L, 4);
+        }
+
+        lua::rawseti(L, i + 1);
+    }
+    return 1;
+}
+
+static int l_debug_is_debugging(lua::State* L) {
+    return lua::pushboolean(L, engine->getDebuggingServer() != nullptr);
+}
+
 void initialize_libs_extends(lua::State* L) {
     if (lua::getglobal(L, "debug")) {
         lua::pushcfunction(L, lua::wrap<l_debug_error>);
@@ -173,6 +394,18 @@ void initialize_libs_extends(lua::State* L) {
         lua::pushcfunction(L, lua::wrap<l_debug_print>);
         lua::setfield(L, "print");
 
+        lua::pushcfunction(L, lua::wrap<l_debug_pause>);
+        lua::setfield(L, "pause");
+
+        lua::pushcfunction(L, lua::wrap<l_debug_pull_events>);
+        lua::setfield(L, "__pull_events");
+
+        lua::pushcfunction(L, lua::wrap<l_debug_sendvalue>);
+        lua::setfield(L, "__sendvalue");
+
+        lua::pushcfunction(L, lua::wrap<l_debug_is_debugging>);
+        lua::setfield(L, "is_debugging");
+
         lua::pop(L);
     }
     if (lua::getglobal(L, "math")) {
diff --git a/src/logic/scripting/lua/lua_util.hpp b/src/logic/scripting/lua/lua_util.hpp
index d7aed664..a8fb246e 100644
--- a/src/logic/scripting/lua/lua_util.hpp
+++ b/src/logic/scripting/lua/lua_util.hpp
@@ -249,7 +249,7 @@ namespace lua {
     inline lua::Number tonumber(lua::State* L, int idx) {
 #ifndef NDEBUG
         if (lua_type(L, idx) != LUA_TNUMBER && !lua_isnoneornil(L, idx)) {
-            throw std::runtime_error("integer expected");
+            throw std::runtime_error("number expected");
         }
 #endif
         return lua_tonumber(L, idx);
@@ -617,7 +617,9 @@ namespace lua {
     void remove_environment(lua::State*, int id);
 
     inline void close(lua::State* L) {
-        lua_close(L);
+        if (L) {
+            lua_close(L);
+        }
     }
 
     inline void addfunc(
diff --git a/src/logic/scripting/lua/lua_wrapper.hpp b/src/logic/scripting/lua/lua_wrapper.hpp
index f82f5bd4..df130af1 100644
--- a/src/logic/scripting/lua/lua_wrapper.hpp
+++ b/src/logic/scripting/lua/lua_wrapper.hpp
@@ -50,8 +50,8 @@ namespace lua {
     inline int type(lua::State* L, int idx) {
         return lua_type(L, idx);
     }
-    inline const char* type_name(lua::State* L, int idx) {
-        return lua_typename(L, idx);
+    inline const char* type_name(lua::State* L, int tp) {
+        return lua_typename(L, tp);
     }
     inline int rawget(lua::State* L, int idx = -2) {
         lua_rawget(L, idx);
diff --git a/src/main.cpp b/src/main.cpp
index 40e9665a..256818c3 100644
--- a/src/main.cpp
+++ b/src/main.cpp
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv) {
     }
     std::signal(SIGTERM, sigterm_handler);
     
-    debug::Logger::init(coreParameters.userFolder.string()+"/latest.log");
+    debug::Logger::init(coreParameters.userFolder.string() + "/latest.log");
     platform::configure_encoding();
 
     auto& engine = Engine::getInstance();
@@ -33,7 +33,8 @@ int main(int argc, char** argv) {
         engine.initialize(std::move(coreParameters));
         engine.run();
     } catch (const initialize_error& err) {
-        logger.error() << "could not to initialize engine\n" << err.what();
+        logger.error() << err.what();
+        logger.error() << "could not to initialize engine";
     }
 #if defined(NDEBUG) and defined(_WIN32)
     catch (const std::exception& err) {
diff --git a/src/network/Network.cpp b/src/network/Network.cpp
index 04c8dbec..be3f8d33 100644
--- a/src/network/Network.cpp
+++ b/src/network/Network.cpp
@@ -164,15 +164,16 @@ void Network::update() {
             }
             ++socketiter;
         }
-        auto serveriter = servers.begin();
-        while (serveriter != servers.end()) {
-            auto server = serveriter->second.get();
-            if (!server->isOpen()) {
-                serveriter = servers.erase(serveriter);
-                continue;
-            }
-            ++serveriter;
+    }
+    auto serveriter = servers.begin();
+    while (serveriter != servers.end()) {
+        auto server = serveriter->second.get();
+        if (!server->isOpen()) {
+            serveriter = servers.erase(serveriter);
+            continue;
         }
+        server->update();
+        ++serveriter;
     }
 }
 
diff --git a/src/network/Network.hpp b/src/network/Network.hpp
index a6c2fca2..1110c750 100644
--- a/src/network/Network.hpp
+++ b/src/network/Network.hpp
@@ -3,13 +3,12 @@
 #include "commons.hpp"
 
 namespace network {
-    class TcpConnection : public Connection {
+    class TcpConnection : public ReadableConnection {
     public:
         ~TcpConnection() override = default;
 
         virtual void connect(runnable callback) = 0;
-        virtual int recv(char* buffer, size_t length) = 0;
-        virtual int available() = 0;
+
         virtual void setNoDelay(bool noDelay) = 0;
         [[nodiscard]] virtual bool isNoDelay() const = 0;
 
@@ -37,6 +36,8 @@ namespace network {
         [[nodiscard]] TransportType getTransportType() const noexcept override {
             return TransportType::TCP;
         }
+
+        virtual void setMaxClientsConnected(int count) = 0;
     };
 
     class UdpServer : public Server {
diff --git a/src/network/Sockets.cpp b/src/network/Sockets.cpp
index 5152028b..c1b6285f 100644
--- a/src/network/Sockets.cpp
+++ b/src/network/Sockets.cpp
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@
 
 #ifdef _WIN32
 #include <curl/curl.h>
+#define SHUT_RDWR SD_BOTH
 #else
 #include <sys/types.h>
 #include <sys/socket.h>
@@ -231,7 +232,7 @@ public:
             readBatch.clear();
 
             if (state != ConnectionState::CLOSED) {
-                shutdown(descriptor, 2);
+                shutdown(descriptor, SHUT_RDWR);
                 closesocket(descriptor);
             }
         }
@@ -304,6 +305,7 @@ class SocketTcpServer : public TcpServer {
     bool open = true;
     std::unique_ptr<std::thread> thread = nullptr;
     int port;
+    int maxConnected = -1;
 public:
     SocketTcpServer(u64id_t id, Network* network, SOCKET descriptor, int port)
     : id(id), network(network), descriptor(descriptor), port(port) {}
@@ -312,6 +314,22 @@ public:
         closeSocket();
     }
 
+    void setMaxClientsConnected(int count) override {
+        maxConnected = count;
+    }
+
+    void update() override {
+        std::vector<u64id_t> clients;
+        for (u64id_t cid : this->clients) {
+            if (auto client = network->getConnection(cid, true)) {
+                if (client->getState() != ConnectionState::CLOSED) {
+                    clients.emplace_back(cid);
+                }
+            }
+        }
+        std::swap(clients, this->clients);
+    }
+
     void startListen(ConnectCallback handler) override {
         thread = std::make_unique<std::thread>([this, handler]() {
             while (open) {
@@ -328,6 +346,11 @@ public:
                     close();
                     break;
                 }
+                if (maxConnected >= 0 && clients.size() >= maxConnected) {
+                    logger.info() << "refused connection attempt from " << to_string(address);
+                    closesocket(clientDescriptor);
+                    continue;
+                }
                 logger.info() << "client connected: " << to_string(address);
                 auto socket = std::make_shared<SocketTcpConnection>(
                     clientDescriptor, address
@@ -575,6 +598,8 @@ public:
         SocketUdpServer::close();
     }
 
+    void update() override {}
+
     void startListen(ServerDatagramCallback handler) override {
         callback = std::move(handler);
 
diff --git a/src/network/commons.hpp b/src/network/commons.hpp
index 83881c52..150bde25 100644
--- a/src/network/commons.hpp
+++ b/src/network/commons.hpp
@@ -75,9 +75,17 @@ namespace network {
         bool isprivate = false;
     };
 
+    class ReadableConnection : public Connection {
+    public:
+        virtual int recv(char* buffer, size_t length) = 0;
+        virtual int available() = 0;
+    };
+
     class Server {
     public:
         virtual ~Server() = default;
+
+        virtual void update() = 0;
         virtual void close() = 0;
         virtual bool isOpen() = 0;
         [[nodiscard]] virtual TransportType getTransportType() const noexcept = 0;
diff --git a/src/util/command_line.cpp b/src/util/command_line.cpp
index 6d84ab28..3691b77b 100644
--- a/src/util/command_line.cpp
+++ b/src/util/command_line.cpp
@@ -70,11 +70,15 @@ static bool perform_keyword(
             std::cout << ENGINE_VERSION_STRING << std::endl;
             return false;
         }, "", "display the engine version."),
+        ArgC("--dbg-server", [&params, &reader]() -> bool {
+            params.debugServerString = reader.next();
+            return true;
+        }, "<serv>", "open debugging server where <serv> is {transport}:{port}"),
         ArgC("--help", []() -> bool {
             std::cout << "VoxelCore v" << ENGINE_VERSION_STRING << "\n\n";
             std::cout << "Command-line arguments:\n";
             for (auto& a : argumentsCommandline) {
-                std::cout << std::setw(20) << std::left << (a.keyword + " " + a.args);
+                std::cout << std::setw(24) << std::left << (a.keyword + " " + a.args);
                 std::cout << "- " << a.help << std::endl;
             }
             std::cout << std::endl;