--- freem/src/xecline.c	2025/04/28 19:38:55	1.17
+++ freem/src/xecline.c	2025/04/29 18:46:17	1.18
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 /*
- *   $Id: xecline.c,v 1.17 2025/04/28 19:38:55 snw Exp $
+ *   $Id: xecline.c,v 1.18 2025/04/29 18:46:17 snw Exp $
  *    freem interpreter proper
  *
  *  
@@ -24,6 +24,9 @@
  *   along with FreeM.  If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
  *
  *   $Log: xecline.c,v $
+ *   Revision 1.18  2025/04/29 18:46:17  snw
+ *   Begin work on interactive debugger
+ *
  *   Revision 1.17  2025/04/28 19:38:55  snw
  *   Add trace mode
  *
@@ -240,6 +243,9 @@ int xecline(int typ)
 
 next_line:          /* entry point for next command line */
 
+    if (debug_mode) {
+        debug_mode = debugger ();
+    }
     
     job_set_status (pid, JSTAT_INTERPRETER);
     
@@ -5143,24 +5149,37 @@ open_socket:
             expr (STRING);
             if (merr () > OK) break;
 
-            switch (intexpr (argptr)) {
-                
-                case 2:
-                    DSM2err = TRUE;
-                    break;      /* enable DSM V 2 error processing */
-                
-                case -2:
-                    DSM2err = FALSE;
-                    break;      /* enable normal error processing  */
-                
-                case 0:
-                    breakon = FALSE;
-                    break;      /* disable CTRL/C */
-                
-                default:
-                    breakon = TRUE;
-                    break;      /* enable CTRL/C  */
+            {
+                char brkstr[256];
+
+                stcpy (brkstr, argptr);
+                stcnv_m2c (brkstr);
+
+                if (strcmp (brkstr, "DEBUG") == 0) {
+                    debug_mode = TRUE;
+                }
+                else {
+                    switch (intexpr (argptr)) {
+                        
+                        case 2:
+                            DSM2err = TRUE;
+                            break;      /* enable DSM V 2 error processing */
+                            
+                        case -2:
+                            DSM2err = FALSE;
+                            break;      /* enable normal error processing  */
+                            
+                        case 0:
+                            breakon = FALSE;
+                            break;      /* disable CTRL/C */
+                            
+                        default:
+                            breakon = TRUE;
+                            break;      /* enable CTRL/C  */
+                    }
+                }
             }
+            
             break;
 
         case VIEW:
@@ -7289,13 +7308,6 @@ direct_mode:
                     }
                     
                 }
-                else if (strcmp (fmrl_buf, "step") == 0) {
-                    debug_mode = TRUE;
-                    goto zgo;
-                }
-                else if ((strcmp (fmrl_buf, "cont") == 0) || (strcmp (fmrl_buf, "continue") == 0)) {
-                    debug_mode = FALSE;
-                }
                 else if (strcmp (fmrl_buf, "rbuf") == 0) {
                     rbuf_dump ();
                 }