(#15)Can't initialize target. [VSCode ES Debugger]

[pilwon]

I installed ExtendScript Debugger extension for VSCode on Mac and followed all the instructions (including troubleshooting), however selection of the target application does not work with error "(#15)Can't initialize target." for all CC apps I have installed on Mac. Is the fix coming? Could you suggest how I can troubleshoot this?

• macOS Mojave v10.14.1
• VSCode v1.31.1
• ExtendScript Debugger v1.0.0

[Ten A · Accepted solution]

ExtendScript Debugger extension conflicts ESTK and you should stop it.

[pilwon]

Thanks Ten, uninstalling ESTK was indeed the right solution for my problem. It might help others if Adobe adds this to troubleshooting FAQ.

[erinferinferinf]

Wait a second, I wrote a lot of the FAQ...

In the "Troubleshooting" section of the VSCode Marketplace page it's the first bullet point:

• Make sure the ESTK stand-alone application is closed

Granted, in the VSCode app I found it's a lot of scrolling past large gifs to see that.

[pilwon]

I read this part in the FAQ and ensured no ESTK process was running, but for some reason I couldn't get it to work until I completely uninstalled ESTK. Maybe an issue specific to my machine, but I'm glad Ten pointed me to the right direction.

[Klaus Göbel]

In my case it was not sufficient to close ESTK.

I restarted my PC and it works (without uninstalling ESTK)

[tobias.wantzen]

I had to uninstall the ESTK, too. Just closing it or restarting had no effect, the error mentioned above stayed.

[Silly-V]

Use App Activity Monitor and kill all of the CodeHelper processes. Sometimes I forget about doing this and have a couple more clicks to get it working again.

By the way, it's super annoying how multiple windows of VSCode have to be closed and re-opened to switch the debug session to another product.

Also, I was debugging the other night - my variables started to contain either not the right data, or the global data.

I think I got the latest VSCode add-on right, unless there's another place to get a new-er update?

[erinferinferinf]

Silly-V  wrote

By the way, it's super annoying how multiple windows of VSCode have to be closed and re-opened to switch the debug session to another product.

Multiple debug sessions is a noted feature request.

I think I got the latest VSCode add-on right, unless there's another place to get a new-er update?

We're expecting an updated version tomorrow.

[rcraighead]

Thanks, @Silly-V . Your "kill all CodeHelper process" did the trick for me.

[davemyron]

I uninstalled ESTK and rebooted and I'm still getting "(#15)Can't initialize target."

I choose "Select the target application", choose After Effects, (if it's closed, I'm prompted to open it: yes/no), then I get the #15 error.

Any other ideas?

[aGeS67]

Hello,

I have tried all the  above but no one was working for me.

Finally after closing all my VSCode projects and launch only the one who use VSCode ExtendScript Debugger it worked !

[Hauke-H]

Unfortunately, that does not work for me. I even restarted my Mac, but "select target application" in the VSCode ExtendScript Debugger has no effect.

[bobhaslett]

Some for me. Works fine if I target illustrator CC 2018 but the report  (#15)Can't initialize target comes up if I try to use CC2020

[erinferinferinf]

Hi @jeferystillsinit,

Which version of VSCode are you running?  (I've seen that make a difference.) And which version of the Debugger plugin? Which speific build of Illustrator? And what's your OS? Did you restart and do the other troubleshooting steps?

If Illustrator 2020 really can't be targeted that's a big problem, but I want to be sure I'm trying to reproduce your set up...

[bobhaslett]

I eventually reinstalled the OS as there where other issues with printing
pdf’s and the issue seems to have resolved itself. It seems to be working
now.

Thanks

[Removed Personal Info by MOD. Be Careful to post from Email reply.]

[Hauke-H]

Meanwhile I've got it running - by getting a new MacBook and not installing ESTK. Accidentally, one day I got ESTK installed again and the VSCode debugger stopped working. I could solve that by de-installing ESTK and then rebooting.

[thainitti]

This does not work on my mac, Adobe where is the leadership on this, I should have clear instructions on this are kidding me, i wish i had four arm to give you four thumbs down.

[thainitti]

Thanks for the bad advice dude. You’re the best at not being any help.
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[thainitti]

Hey everybody watch this the answer to all your dreams. https://youtu.be/a90H-Pf61LQ 

[rcraighead]

I am getting:

(#15)Can't initialize target.

Even though I have not loaded ESTK for months. It happens once or twice a day and I have to reboot to get back to work.  How do I fix this!?

[Roy Marshall]

Is there really still no published answer for this? I have been out of the loop with ESTK/InDesign scripting for nearly a year, and remember this was a big headache. 

Started writing some now, initially all was OK, but suddenly I got the dreaded "(#15)Can't initialize target"

I don't Have ExtendScript Toolkit running on this mac.

and this is my launch.json file:

{

"version": "0.2.0",

"configurations": [

{

"type": "extendscript-debug",

"request": "launch",

"name": "myCompanyName",

"program": "${workspaceFolder}/addPageLines.jsx",

"stopOnEntry": false

}

]

}

Any help gratefully received!

Roy

[Dieter May]

Bei mir hat folgendes geholfen:

Visual Studio Code beenden.

Im Terminal folgenden Befehl ausführen:

killall "Code Helper (Renderer)"

[JapinderSandhu · Accepted solution]

this just force quit my whole vs code app why would you post this 

WARNING THIS WILL CRASH YOUR VSCODE  INSTANTLY AND YOU WILL NOT BE ABLE TO SAVE 

killall "Code Helper (Renderer)"

[saeidt53279147]

I Dont Know Why But Photoshop Must Be Close When You Select Target Application Inside Vscdoe So You Will See Yes No Prompt In Vscode When Click Select Target Application