diff --git a/.vscode/launch.json b/.vscode/launch.json
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..bb63fcb5f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.vscode/launch.json
@@ -0,0 +1,20 @@
+{
+    "version": "0.2.0",
+    "configurations": [
+        {
+            "name": "Python: Attach to Docker",
+            "type": "python",
+            "request": "attach",
+            "connect": {
+                "host": "localhost",
+                "port": 12345
+            },
+            "pathMappings": [
+                {
+                    "localRoot": "${workspaceFolder}",
+                    "remoteRoot": "/code"
+                }
+            ]
+        }
+    ]
+}
diff --git a/requirements-dev.in b/requirements-dev.in
index a68056b87..36ed56137 100644
--- a/requirements-dev.in
+++ b/requirements-dev.in
@@ -1,3 +1,4 @@
 -c requirements.txt
+debugpy # for vscode debugging
 django-debug-toolbar
-pydevd-pycharm==243.22562.180  # pinned to appropriate version for current pycharm
+pydevd-pycharm==243.26053.29  # pinned to appropriate version for current pycharm
diff --git a/requirements-dev.txt b/requirements-dev.txt
index bddfe9efa..a0a3c9abc 100644
--- a/requirements-dev.txt
+++ b/requirements-dev.txt
@@ -4,13 +4,15 @@ asgiref==3.8.1
     # via
     #   -c ./requirements.txt
     #   django
+debugpy==1.8.13
+    # via -r ./requirements-dev.in
 django==4.2.16
     # via
     #   -c ./requirements.txt
     #   django-debug-toolbar
 django-debug-toolbar==4.4.6
     # via -r ./requirements-dev.in
-pydevd-pycharm==243.22562.180
+pydevd-pycharm==243.26053.29
     # via -r ./requirements-dev.in
 sqlparse==0.5.1
     # via
diff --git a/vscode_debugger.py b/vscode_debugger.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..dc8343c22
--- /dev/null
+++ b/vscode_debugger.py
@@ -0,0 +1,7 @@
+def set_trace():
+    import debugpy
+
+    # Listen on all interfaces at port 5678
+    debugpy.listen(("172.17.0.1", 12345))
+    print("Waiting for debugger to attach...")
+    debugpy.wait_for_client()  # Optional: pause execution until VS Code attaches