Single-step debugging of ApacheAnt scripts is supported in EclipseIde and NetBeans IDE.
(But not IntellijIdea.)

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'''EclipseIde:'''

How To:
* Set breakpoints by double-clicking on the left margin or '<right-click> + "Toggle Breakpoint"' in your ant build.xml file -- just like you would with Java code.
* In 'Outline' or 'Ant' views, right-click on a target and select 'Run As -> Ant Build' (Alt+Shift+X, Q).
* ''It's that easy!''

See "External Tools Configurations" dialog to edit ant runs you've done.
* 'Run -> External Tools -> External Tools Configurations...'
* ''(or)'' Right-click on an ant build file, and select 'Run As -> External Tools Configurations...'

Articles:
* http://eclipsewiki.editme.com/ANTFaq - includes "How do I run Ant from Eclipse?" and "How to debug a custom ant task" (Answer: via remote debugging)
* IBM DeveloperWorks tutorial: "Make Ant easy with Eclipse" (requires free registration) - http://www.ibm.com/developerworks/edu/os-dw-os-ecl-easyant.html
* Debugging Java code implementing custom ant tasks: http://www.arcaner.com/2007/03/22/debugging-eclipses-pde-build/

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'''NetBeans:'''

* Ant Debugger Module: http://ant.netbeans.org/debugger.html

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CategoryAnt