How to Enable Odoo Developer Mode

Odoo Developer Mode (also called debug mode) unlocks a set of technical tools hidden from regular users: access to scheduled actions, model fields, view XML, technical menus, and more. If you're configuring advanced Odoo features or debugging an issue, Developer Mode is usually the first thing you need to enable.

Method 1: URL Parameter (Fastest)

Add ?debug=1 to any Odoo URL:

https://your-odoo.com/web#action=...
becomes:
https://your-odoo.com/web?debug=1#action=...

Or navigate directly to:

https://your-odoo.com/web?debug=1

When Developer Mode is active, you'll see a bug icon in the top-right area of the interface (next to the user menu). The URL keeps the ?debug=1 parameter as you navigate.

To disable, remove the parameter or use ?debug=0.

Method 2: Settings Menu

1. Go to Settings
2. Scroll to the bottom of the General Settings page
3. Find the Developer Tools section
4. Click Activate the developer mode

This redirects you to /web?debug=1 automatically. To deactivate, return to Settings and click Deactivate the developer mode.

Method 3: Debug Assets Mode

Assets mode loads JavaScript and CSS files unminified, making browser debugging of Odoo's frontend code possible:

https://your-odoo.com/web?debug=assets

Or from the Settings menu: Activate the developer mode (with assets).

Warning: assets mode loads significantly more data and slows the interface. Use it only when actively debugging JavaScript issues. Never leave it enabled for regular users.

What Developer Mode Unlocks

Technical Menu in Settings

The most important addition. The Technical menu appears in Settings and gives access to:

• Email → Outgoing/Incoming Mail Servers, Email Aliases
• Automation → Scheduled Actions, Automated Actions
• Database Structure → Models, Fields, Views
• Parameters → System Parameters (critical for configuration)
• Security → Groups, Record Rules, Access Rights
• Sequences & Identifiers → Invoice numbering, reference sequences
• Reporting → Report templates

Field Technical Info

Hover over any field label in a form view — a question mark appears. Click it to see the field's technical name, type, and model. This is invaluable when writing domain filters, server actions, or custom code.

View XML Editor

Every list view, form view, and kanban view has an Edit View option in Developer Mode. This shows the raw XML definition of the view and lets you see how it's structured — though editing here is fragile (changes are overwritten by module upgrades).

Debug Icon Menu

Click the bug icon in the top-right to access:

• Fields View Get — see the view definition for the current screen
• Manage Filters — view/edit saved filters for the current model
• Start Tour / Run Tests — for automated UI testing
• Regenerate Assets — clears JavaScript/CSS cache

Action Information on Views

In Developer Mode, a small info icon appears in list views showing the action ID and model name — useful when you need to reference specific actions in custom code or URL parameters.

Developer Mode in Production: Security Considerations

By default, any logged-in user can activate Developer Mode. On production systems with non-technical users, this is a risk — users might accidentally modify sequences, views, or system parameters.

To disable Developer Mode activation for non-admin users, go to Settings → Technical → System Parameters and set:

Key: web.debug.url.parameter.disabled
Value: 1

This disables the URL ?debug=1 method. Users without the Technical group cannot activate Developer Mode through any method.

Alternatively, use Odoo's access rights: only users with the Technical Features access right can see the developer mode option in Settings. Grant this selectively.

Odoo Developer Mode in Docker

When running Odoo in Docker, you can enable debug mode for the entire instance by passing a command flag — useful for temporary debugging sessions:

# Start with debug logging (not the same as UI debug mode)
docker compose exec odoo odoo --log-level=debug -d your_db

# Or set in odoo.conf temporarily
log_level = debug

For UI developer mode, it's the same as any Odoo instance — use the URL parameter or Settings menu. The container/non-container distinction doesn't affect this.

Using System Parameters (Requires Developer Mode)

Many critical Odoo settings live in System Parameters, accessible only in Developer Mode. After enabling it, go to Settings → Technical → Parameters → System Parameters to configure:

web.base.url                     ; your Odoo URL (for links in emails)
mail.catchall.domain             ; email domain for incoming mail routing
mail.catchall.alias              ; catchall mailbox name
auth_signup.invitation_scope     ; control who can self-register
database.enterprise_code         ; your Odoo Enterprise subscription key

How DeployMonkey Uses Developer Mode

On DeployMonkey instances, Developer Mode is available to instance administrators. We don't restrict it — if you're managing your Odoo instance, you should have full access to its technical configuration.

Our control panel provides a shortcut to common technical configurations (SMTP settings, scheduled actions, system parameters) through a purpose-built UI, so you can make the most common configuration changes without needing to navigate Odoo's technical menus directly.

Start a free instance and get full admin access from day one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does enabling Developer Mode affect performance?

Standard Developer Mode (?debug=1) has negligible performance impact. Assets mode (?debug=assets) loads unminified JavaScript and slows the interface noticeably — use it only for debugging.

Can I keep Developer Mode enabled permanently?

The ?debug=1 URL parameter persists only in your browser session. You can bookmark the URL or install a browser extension to add it automatically. There's no server-side "always on" setting for Developer Mode in the UI — it's intentionally per-session.

Where is the Technical menu in Odoo 17+?

In Odoo 17, the Technical menu moved. With Developer Mode active, look for it under Settings in the left navigation panel. In some versions it's labeled "Technical" directly; in others it's under a gear/wrench submenu.

I can't see the Developer Mode option in Settings. Why?

You need to be logged in as a user with Administrator privileges. Standard internal users don't see the developer mode option. Check your user's access rights under Settings → Users & Companies → Users — you should have "Administration: Settings" access.