Merge pull request #220 from goodboy/ctx_debugger

Ctx debugger

examples/debugging/fast_error_in_root_after_spawn.py

@@ -0,0 +1,54 @@
+'''
+Fast fail test with a context.
+
+Ensure the partially initialized sub-actor process
+doesn't cause a hang on error/cancel of the parent
+nursery.
+
+'''
+import trio
+import tractor
+
+
+@tractor.context
+async def sleep(
+    ctx: tractor.Context,
+):
+    await trio.sleep(0.5)
+    await ctx.started()
+    await trio.sleep_forever()
+
+
+async def open_ctx(
+    n: tractor._trionics.ActorNursery
+):
+
+    # spawn both actors
+    portal = await n.start_actor(
+        name='sleeper',
+        enable_modules=[__name__],
+    )
+
+    async with portal.open_context(
+        sleep,
+    ) as (ctx, first):
+        assert first is None
+
+
+async def main():
+
+    async with tractor.open_nursery(
+        debug_mode=True,
+        loglevel='runtime',
+    ) as an:
+
+        async with trio.open_nursery() as n:
+            n.start_soon(open_ctx, an)
+
+            await trio.sleep(0.2)
+            await trio.sleep(0.1)
+            assert 0
+
+
+if __name__ == '__main__':
+    trio.run(main)

examples/debugging/root_timeout_while_child_crashed.py

@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+
+import trio
+import tractor
+
+
+async def key_error():
+    "Raise a ``NameError``"
+    return {}['doggy']
+
+
+async def main():
+    """Root dies 
+
+    """
+    async with tractor.open_nursery(
+        debug_mode=True,
+        loglevel='debug'
+    ) as n:
+
+        # spawn both actors
+        portal = await n.run_in_actor(key_error)
+
+        # XXX: originally a bug caused by this is where root would enter
+        # the debugger and clobber the tty used by the repl even though
+        # child should have it locked.
+        with trio.fail_after(1):
+            await trio.Event().wait()
+
+
+if __name__ == '__main__':
+    trio.run(main)

tests/test_debugger.py

@@ -317,32 +317,58 @@ def test_multi_daemon_subactors(spawn, loglevel):
         next_msg = name_error_msg
 
     elif name_error_msg in before:
-        next_msg = None
+        next_msg = bp_forever_msg
 
     else:
         raise ValueError("Neither log msg was found !?")
 
-    child.sendline('c')
+    # NOTE: previously since we did not have clobber prevention
+    # in the root actor this final resume could result in the debugger
+    # tearing down since both child actors would be cancelled and it was
+    # unlikely that `bp_forever` would re-acquire the tty lock again.
+    # Now, we should have a final resumption in the root plus a possible
+    # second entry by `bp_forever`.
 
-    # first name_error failure
+    child.sendline('c')
     child.expect(r"\(Pdb\+\+\)")
     before = str(child.before.decode())
 
-    if next_msg:
     assert next_msg in before
 
-    child.sendline('c')
+    # XXX: hooray the root clobbering the child here was fixed!
+    # IMO, this demonstrates the true power of SC system design.
 
+    # now the root actor won't clobber the bp_forever child
+    # during it's first access to the debug lock, but will instead
+    # wait for the lock to release, by the edge triggered
+    # ``_debug._no_remote_has_tty`` event before sending cancel messages
+    # (via portals) to its underlings B)
+
+    # at some point here there should have been some warning msg from
+    # the root announcing it avoided a clobber of the child's lock, but
+    # it seems unreliable in testing here to gnab it:
+    # assert "in use by child ('bp_forever'," in before
+
+    # wait for final error in root
+    while True:
+
+        child.sendline('c')
         child.expect(r"\(Pdb\+\+\)")
         before = str(child.before.decode())
-    assert "tractor._exceptions.RemoteActorError: ('name_error'" in before
+        try:
+
+            # root error should be packed as remote error
+            assert "_exceptions.RemoteActorError: ('name_error'" in before
+            break
+
+        except AssertionError:
+            assert bp_forever_msg in before
 
     try:
         child.sendline('c')
         child.expect(pexpect.EOF)
 
     except pexpect.exceptions.TIMEOUT:
-
         # Failed to exit using continue..?
         child.sendline('q')
         child.expect(pexpect.EOF)
@@ -386,9 +412,9 @@ def test_multi_subactors_root_errors(spawn):
 def test_multi_nested_subactors_error_through_nurseries(spawn):
     """Verify deeply nested actors that error trigger debugger entries
     at each actor nurserly (level) all the way up the tree.
-    """
 
-    # NOTE: previously, inside this script was a a bug where if the
+    """
+    # NOTE: previously, inside this script was a bug where if the
     # parent errors before a 2-levels-lower actor has released the lock,
     # the parent tries to cancel it but it's stuck in the debugger?
     # A test (below) has now been added to explicitly verify this is
@@ -396,9 +422,6 @@ def test_multi_nested_subactors_error_through_nurseries(spawn):
 
     child = spawn('multi_nested_subactors_error_up_through_nurseries')
 
-    # startup time can be iffy
-    time.sleep(1)
-
     for i in range(12):
         try:
             child.expect(r"\(Pdb\+\+\)")
@@ -471,7 +494,12 @@ def test_root_nursery_cancels_before_child_releases_tty_lock(
 
         child.sendline('c')
 
+    while True:
+        try:
             child.expect(pexpect.EOF)
+            break
+        except pexpect.exceptions.TIMEOUT:
+            print('child was able to grab tty lock again?')
 
     if not timed_out_early:
 
@@ -479,3 +507,21 @@ def test_root_nursery_cancels_before_child_releases_tty_lock(
         assert "tractor._exceptions.RemoteActorError: ('spawner0'" in before
         assert "tractor._exceptions.RemoteActorError: ('name_error'" in before
         assert "NameError: name 'doggypants' is not defined" in before
+
+
+def test_root_cancels_child_context_during_startup(
+    spawn,
+):
+    '''Verify a fast fail in the root doesn't lock up the child reaping
+    and all while using the new context api.
+
+    '''
+    child = spawn('fast_error_in_root_after_spawn')
+
+    child.expect(r"\(Pdb\+\+\)")
+
+    before = str(child.before.decode())
+    assert "AssertionError" in before
+
+    child.sendline('c')
+    child.expect(pexpect.EOF)

tractor/_actor.py

@@ -41,10 +41,6 @@ from . import _mp_fixup_main
 log = get_logger('tractor')
 
 
-class ActorFailure(Exception):
-    "General actor failure"
-
-
 async def _invoke(
 
     actor: 'Actor',
@@ -56,8 +52,10 @@ async def _invoke(
         Union[trio.CancelScope, BaseException]
     ] = trio.TASK_STATUS_IGNORED,
 ):
-    """Invoke local func and deliver result(s) over provided channel.
+    '''Invoke local func and deliver result(s) over provided channel.
-    """
+
+    '''
+    __tracebackhide__ = True
     treat_as_gen = False
 
     # possible a traceback (not sure what typing is for this..)

tractor/_debug.py

@@ -1,13 +1,13 @@
 """
 Multi-core debugging for da peeps!
+
 """
 import bdb
 import sys
 from functools import partial
 from contextlib import asynccontextmanager
-from typing import Awaitable, Tuple, Optional, Callable, AsyncIterator
+from typing import Tuple, Optional, Callable, AsyncIterator
 
-from async_generator import aclosing
 import tractor
 import trio
 
@@ -31,14 +31,22 @@ log = get_logger(__name__)
 
 __all__ = ['breakpoint', 'post_mortem']
 
+
+# TODO: wrap all these in a static global class: ``DebugLock`` maybe?
+
 # placeholder for function to set a ``trio.Event`` on debugger exit
 _pdb_release_hook: Optional[Callable] = None
 
 # actor-wide variable pointing to current task name using debugger
-_in_debug = False
+_local_task_in_debug: Optional[str] = None
+
+# actor tree-wide actor uid that supposedly has the tty lock
+_global_actor_in_debug: Optional[Tuple[str, str]] = None
 
 # lock in root actor preventing multi-access to local tty
-_debug_lock = trio.StrictFIFOLock()
+_debug_lock: trio.StrictFIFOLock = trio.StrictFIFOLock()
+_local_pdb_complete: Optional[trio.Event] = None
+_no_remote_has_tty: Optional[trio.Event] = None
 
 # XXX: set by the current task waiting on the root tty lock
 # and must be cancelled if this actor is cancelled via message
@@ -58,22 +66,22 @@ class PdbwTeardown(pdbpp.Pdb):
     # override the pdbpp config with our coolio one
     DefaultConfig = TractorConfig
 
-    # TODO: figure out how to dissallow recursive .set_trace() entry
+    # TODO: figure out how to disallow recursive .set_trace() entry
     # since that'll cause deadlock for us.
     def set_continue(self):
-        global _in_debug
         try:
             super().set_continue()
         finally:
-            _in_debug = False
+            global _local_task_in_debug
+            _local_task_in_debug = None
             _pdb_release_hook()
 
     def set_quit(self):
-        global _in_debug
         try:
             super().set_quit()
         finally:
-            _in_debug = False
+            global _local_task_in_debug
+            _local_task_in_debug = None
             _pdb_release_hook()
 
 
@@ -115,107 +123,213 @@ class PdbwTeardown(pdbpp.Pdb):
 
 
 @asynccontextmanager
-async def _acquire_debug_lock(uid: Tuple[str, str]) -> AsyncIterator[None]:
+async def _acquire_debug_lock(
-    """Acquire a actor local FIFO lock meant to mutex entry to a local
+    uid: Tuple[str, str]
-    debugger entry point to avoid tty clobbering by multiple processes.
+
-    """
+) -> AsyncIterator[trio.StrictFIFOLock]:
+    '''Acquire a root-actor local FIFO lock which tracks mutex access of
+    the process tree's global debugger breakpoint.
+
+    This lock avoids tty clobbering (by preventing multiple processes
+    reading from stdstreams) and ensures multi-actor, sequential access
+    to the ``pdb`` repl.
+
+    '''
+    global _debug_lock, _global_actor_in_debug, _no_remote_has_tty
+
     task_name = trio.lowlevel.current_task().name
+
+    log.pdb(
+        f"Attempting to acquire TTY lock, remote task: {task_name}:{uid}"
+    )
+
+    we_acquired = False
+
+    if _no_remote_has_tty is None:
+        # mark the tty lock as being in use so that the runtime
+        # can try to avoid clobbering any connection from a child
+        # that's currently relying on it.
+        _no_remote_has_tty = trio.Event()
+
     try:
         log.debug(
-            f"Attempting to acquire TTY lock, remote task: {task_name}:{uid}")
+            f"entering lock checkpoint, remote task: {task_name}:{uid}"
+        )
+        we_acquired = True
         await _debug_lock.acquire()
 
+        _global_actor_in_debug = uid
         log.debug(f"TTY lock acquired, remote task: {task_name}:{uid}")
-        yield
+
+        # NOTE: critical section: this yield is unshielded!
+
+        # IF we received a cancel during the shielded lock entry of some
+        # next-in-queue requesting task, then the resumption here will
+        # result in that ``trio.Cancelled`` being raised to our caller
+        # (likely from ``_hijack_stdin_for_child()`` below)!  In
+        # this case the ``finally:`` below should trigger and the
+        # surrounding caller side context should cancel normally
+        # relaying back to the caller.
+
+        yield _debug_lock
 
     finally:
+        # if _global_actor_in_debug == uid:
+        if we_acquired and _debug_lock.locked():
             _debug_lock.release()
+
+        # IFF there are no more requesting tasks queued up fire, the
+        # "tty-unlocked" event thereby alerting any monitors of the lock that
+        # we are now back in the "tty unlocked" state. This is basically
+        # and edge triggered signal around an empty queue of sub-actor
+        # tasks that may have tried to acquire the lock.
+        stats = _debug_lock.statistics()
+        if (
+            not stats.owner
+        ):
+            log.pdb(f"No more tasks waiting on tty lock! says {uid}")
+            _no_remote_has_tty.set()
+            _no_remote_has_tty = None
+
+        _global_actor_in_debug = None
+
         log.debug(f"TTY lock released, remote task: {task_name}:{uid}")
 
 
-# @contextmanager
+@tractor.context
-# def _disable_sigint():
+async def _hijack_stdin_for_child(
-#     try:
-#         # disable sigint handling while in debug
-#         prior_handler = signal.signal(signal.SIGINT, handler)
-#         yield
-#     finally:
-#         # restore SIGINT handling
-#         signal.signal(signal.SIGINT, prior_handler)
 
-
+    ctx: tractor.Context,
-async def _hijack_stdin_relay_to_child(
     subactor_uid: Tuple[str, str]
-) -> AsyncIterator[str]:
-    # TODO: when we get to true remote debugging
-    # this will deliver stdin data
-    log.warning(f"Actor {subactor_uid} is WAITING on stdin hijack lock")
-    async with _acquire_debug_lock(subactor_uid):
-        log.warning(f"Actor {subactor_uid} ACQUIRED stdin hijack lock")
 
-        # with _disable_sigint():
+) -> str:
+    '''Hijack the tty in the root process of an actor tree such that
+    the pdbpp debugger console can be allocated to a sub-actor for repl
+    bossing.
+
+    '''
+    task_name = trio.lowlevel.current_task().name
+
+    # TODO: when we get to true remote debugging
+    # this will deliver stdin data?
+
+    log.debug(
+        "Attempting to acquire TTY lock\n"
+        f"remote task: {task_name}:{subactor_uid}"
+    )
+
+    log.debug(f"Actor {subactor_uid} is WAITING on stdin hijack lock")
+
+    with trio.CancelScope(shield=True):
+
+        async with _acquire_debug_lock(subactor_uid):
 
             # indicate to child that we've locked stdio
-        yield 'Locked'
+            await ctx.started('Locked')
+            log.pdb(f"Actor {subactor_uid} ACQUIRED stdin hijack lock")
 
-        # wait for cancellation of stream by child
+            # wait for unlock pdb by child
-        # indicating debugger is dis-engaged
+            async with ctx.open_stream() as stream:
-        await trio.sleep_forever()
+                try:
+                    assert await stream.receive() == 'pdb_unlock'
 
-    log.debug(f"Actor {subactor_uid} RELEASED stdin hijack lock")
+                except trio.BrokenResourceError:
+                    # XXX: there may be a race with the portal teardown
+                    # with the calling actor which we can safely ignore.
+                    # The alternative would be sending an ack message
+                    # and allowing the client to wait for us to teardown
+                    # first?
+                    pass
+
+    log.debug(f"TTY lock released, remote task: {task_name}:{subactor_uid}")
+
+    return "pdb_unlock_complete"
 
 
-# XXX: We only make this sync in case someone wants to
+async def _breakpoint(
-# overload the ``breakpoint()`` built-in.
+
-def _breakpoint(debug_func) -> Awaitable[None]:
+    debug_func,
-    """``tractor`` breakpoint entry for engaging pdb machinery
+
-    in subactors.
+    # TODO:
-    """
+    # shield: bool = False
+
+) -> None:
+    '''``tractor`` breakpoint entry for engaging pdb machinery
+    in the root or a subactor.
+
+    '''
+    # TODO: is it possible to debug a trio.Cancelled except block?
+    # right now it seems like we can kinda do with by shielding
+    # around ``tractor.breakpoint()`` but not if we move the shielded
+    # scope here???
+    # with trio.CancelScope(shield=shield):
+
     actor = tractor.current_actor()
-    do_unlock = trio.Event()
+    task_name = trio.lowlevel.current_task().name
+
+    global _local_pdb_complete, _pdb_release_hook
+    global _local_task_in_debug, _global_actor_in_debug
+
+    await trio.lowlevel.checkpoint()
 
     async def wait_for_parent_stdin_hijack(
         task_status=trio.TASK_STATUS_IGNORED
     ):
         global _debugger_request_cs
-        with trio.CancelScope() as cs:
+
+        with trio.CancelScope(shield=True) as cs:
             _debugger_request_cs = cs
+
             try:
                 async with get_root() as portal:
-                        async with portal.open_stream_from(
+
-                            tractor._debug._hijack_stdin_relay_to_child,
+                    log.error('got portal')
+
+                    # this syncs to child's ``Context.started()`` call.
+                    async with portal.open_context(
+
+                        tractor._debug._hijack_stdin_for_child,
                         subactor_uid=actor.uid,
-                        ) as stream:
 
-                                # block until first yield above
+                    ) as (ctx, val):
-                                async for val in stream:
 
+                        log.error('locked context')
                         assert val == 'Locked'
+
+                        async with ctx.open_stream() as stream:
+
+                            log.error('opened stream')
+                            # unblock local caller
                             task_status.started()
 
-                                    # with trio.CancelScope(shield=True):
+                            try:
-                                    await do_unlock.wait()
+                                await _local_pdb_complete.wait()
+
+                            finally:
+                                # TODO: shielding currently can cause hangs...
+                                with trio.CancelScope(shield=True):
+                                    await stream.send('pdb_unlock')
+
+                            # sync with callee termination
+                            assert await ctx.result() == "pdb_unlock_complete"
+
+            except tractor.ContextCancelled:
+                log.warning('Root actor cancelled debug lock')
 
-                                    # trigger cancellation of remote stream
-                                    break
             finally:
                 log.debug(f"Exiting debugger for actor {actor}")
-                global _in_debug
+                global _local_task_in_debug
-                _in_debug = False
+                _local_task_in_debug = None
                 log.debug(f"Child {actor} released parent stdio lock")
 
-    async def _bp():
+    if not _local_pdb_complete or _local_pdb_complete.is_set():
-        """Async breakpoint which schedules a parent stdio lock, and once complete
+        _local_pdb_complete = trio.Event()
-        enters the ``pdbpp`` debugging console.
-        """
-        task_name = trio.lowlevel.current_task().name
-
-        global _in_debug
 
     # TODO: need a more robust check for the "root" actor
     if actor._parent_chan and not is_root_process():
-            if _in_debug:
+
-                if _in_debug == task_name:
+        if _local_task_in_debug:
+            if _local_task_in_debug == task_name:
                 # this task already has the lock and is
                 # likely recurrently entering a breakpoint
                 return
@@ -223,40 +337,70 @@ def _breakpoint(debug_func) -> Awaitable[None]:
             # if **this** actor is already in debug mode block here
             # waiting for the control to be released - this allows
             # support for recursive entries to `tractor.breakpoint()`
-                log.warning(
+            log.warning(f"{actor.uid} already has a debug lock, waiting...")
-                    f"Actor {actor.uid} already has a debug lock, waiting...")
-                await do_unlock.wait()
-                await trio.sleep(0.1)
 
-            # assign unlock callback for debugger teardown hooks
+            await _local_pdb_complete.wait()
-            global _pdb_release_hook
+            await trio.sleep(0.1)
-            _pdb_release_hook = do_unlock.set
 
         # mark local actor as "in debug mode" to avoid recurrent
         # entries/requests to the root process
-            _in_debug = task_name
+        _local_task_in_debug = task_name
+
+        # assign unlock callback for debugger teardown hooks
+        _pdb_release_hook = _local_pdb_complete.set
 
         # this **must** be awaited by the caller and is done using the
         # root nursery so that the debugger can continue to run without
         # being restricted by the scope of a new task nursery.
+
+        # NOTE: if we want to debug a trio.Cancelled triggered exception
+        # we have to figure out how to avoid having the service nursery
+        # cancel on this task start? I *think* this works below?
+        # actor._service_n.cancel_scope.shield = shield
+        with trio.CancelScope(shield=True):
             await actor._service_n.start(wait_for_parent_stdin_hijack)
 
     elif is_root_process():
+
         # we also wait in the root-parent for any child that
         # may have the tty locked prior
-            if _debug_lock.locked():  # root process already has it; ignore
+        global _debug_lock
-                return
-            await _debug_lock.acquire()
-            _pdb_release_hook = _debug_lock.release
 
-        # block here one (at the appropriate frame *up* where
+        # TODO: wait, what about multiple root tasks acquiring it though?
-        # ``breakpoint()`` was awaited and begin handling stdio
+        # root process (us) already has it; ignore
+        if _global_actor_in_debug == actor.uid:
+            return
+
+        # XXX: since we need to enter pdb synchronously below,
+        # we have to release the lock manually from pdb completion
+        # callbacks. Can't think of a nicer way then this atm.
+        if _debug_lock.locked():
+            log.warning(
+                'Root actor attempting to acquire active tty lock'
+                f' owned by {_global_actor_in_debug}')
+
+        await _debug_lock.acquire()
+
+        _global_actor_in_debug = actor.uid
+        _local_task_in_debug = task_name
+
+        # the lock must be released on pdb completion
+        def teardown():
+            global _local_pdb_complete, _debug_lock
+            global _global_actor_in_debug, _local_task_in_debug
+
+            _debug_lock.release()
+            _global_actor_in_debug = None
+            _local_task_in_debug = None
+            _local_pdb_complete.set()
+
+        _pdb_release_hook = teardown
+
+    # block here one (at the appropriate frame *up*) where
+    # ``breakpoint()`` was awaited and begin handling stdio.
     log.debug("Entering the synchronous world of pdb")
     debug_func(actor)
 
-    # user code **must** await this!
-    return _bp()
-
 
 def _mk_pdb():
     # XXX: setting these flags on the pdb instance are absolutely
@@ -285,8 +429,8 @@ def _set_trace(actor=None):
 
     else:
         # we entered the global ``breakpoint()`` built-in from sync code
-        global _in_debug, _pdb_release_hook
+        global _local_task_in_debug, _pdb_release_hook
-        _in_debug = 'sync'
+        _local_task_in_debug = 'sync'
 
         def nuttin():
             pass

tractor/_exceptions.py

@@ -12,6 +12,10 @@ import trio
 _this_mod = importlib.import_module(__name__)
 
 
+class ActorFailure(Exception):
+    "General actor failure"
+
+
 class RemoteActorError(Exception):
     # TODO: local recontruction of remote exception deats
     "Remote actor exception bundled locally"
@@ -40,6 +44,7 @@ class InternalActorError(RemoteActorError):
 class TransportClosed(trio.ClosedResourceError):
     "Underlying channel transport was closed prior to use"
 
+
 class ContextCancelled(RemoteActorError):
     "Inter-actor task context cancelled itself on the callee side."
 

tractor/_root.py

@@ -174,8 +174,11 @@ async def open_root_actor(
                 yield actor
 
             except (Exception, trio.MultiError) as err:
-                logger.exception("Actor crashed:")
+
-                await _debug._maybe_enter_pm(err)
+                entered = await _debug._maybe_enter_pm(err)
+
+                if not entered:
+                    logger.exception("Root actor crashed:")
 
                 # always re-raise
                 raise

tractor/_spawn.py

@@ -26,10 +26,12 @@ from ._state import (
     current_actor,
     is_main_process,
 )
+
 from .log import get_logger
 from ._portal import Portal
-from ._actor import Actor, ActorFailure
+from ._actor import Actor
 from ._entry import _mp_main
+from ._exceptions import ActorFailure
 
 
 log = get_logger('tractor')
@@ -144,7 +146,7 @@ async def cancel_on_completion(
             )
 
         else:
-            log.info(
+            log.runtime(
                 f"Cancelling {portal.channel.uid} gracefully "
                 f"after result {result}")
 
@@ -206,12 +208,12 @@ async def spawn_subactor(
         yield proc
 
     finally:
+        log.runtime(f"Attempting to kill {proc}")
 
         # XXX: do this **after** cancellation/tearfown
         # to avoid killing the process too early
         # since trio does this internally on ``__aexit__()``
 
-        log.debug(f"Attempting to kill {proc}")
         await do_hard_kill(proc)
 
 
@@ -241,7 +243,7 @@ async def new_proc(
                 subactor,
                 parent_addr,
             ) as proc:
-                log.info(f"Started {proc}")
+                log.runtime(f"Started {proc}")
 
                 # wait for actor to spawn and connect back to us
                 # channel should have handshake completed by the
@@ -396,7 +398,7 @@ async def mp_new_proc(
         if not proc.is_alive():
             raise ActorFailure("Couldn't start sub-actor?")
 
-        log.info(f"Started {proc}")
+        log.runtime(f"Started {proc}")
 
         try:
             # wait for actor to spawn and connect back to us

tractor/_trionics.py

@@ -11,7 +11,8 @@ import warnings
 import trio
 from async_generator import asynccontextmanager
 
-from ._state import current_actor, is_main_process
+from . import _debug
+from ._state import current_actor, is_main_process, is_root_process
 from .log import get_logger, get_loglevel
 from ._actor import Actor
 from ._portal import Portal
@@ -169,16 +170,25 @@ class ActorNursery:
 
         log.warning(f"Cancelling nursery in {self._actor.uid}")
         with trio.move_on_after(3) as cs:
+
             async with trio.open_nursery() as nursery:
+
                 for subactor, proc, portal in self._children.values():
+
+                    # TODO: are we ever even going to use this or
+                    # is the spawning backend responsible for such
+                    # things? I'm thinking latter.
                     if hard_kill:
                         proc.terminate()
+
                     else:
                         if portal is None:  # actor hasn't fully spawned yet
                             event = self._actor._peer_connected[subactor.uid]
                             log.warning(
                                 f"{subactor.uid} wasn't finished spawning?")
+
                             await event.wait()
+
                             # channel/portal should now be up
                             _, _, portal = self._children[subactor.uid]
 
@@ -238,6 +248,7 @@ async def _open_and_supervise_one_cancels_all_nursery(
             # As such if the strategy propagates any error(s) upwards
             # the above "daemon actor" nursery will be notified.
             async with trio.open_nursery() as ria_nursery:
+
                 anursery = ActorNursery(
                     actor,
                     ria_nursery,
@@ -248,21 +259,54 @@ async def _open_and_supervise_one_cancels_all_nursery(
                     # spawning of actors happens in the caller's scope
                     # after we yield upwards
                     yield anursery
-                    log.debug(
+
+                    log.runtime(
                         f"Waiting on subactors {anursery._children} "
                         "to complete"
                     )
 
                     # Last bit before first nursery block ends in the case
                     # where we didn't error in the caller's scope
-                    log.debug("Waiting on all subactors to complete")
+
+                    # signal all process monitor tasks to conduct
+                    # hard join phase.
                     anursery._join_procs.set()
 
                 except BaseException as err:
+
+                    # If we error in the root but the debugger is
+                    # engaged we don't want to prematurely kill (and
+                    # thus clobber access to) the local tty since it
+                    # will make the pdb repl unusable.
+                    # Instead try to wait for pdb to be released before
+                    # tearing down.
+                    if is_root_process():
+                        log.exception(f"we're root with {err}")
+
+                        # TODO: could this make things more deterministic?
+                        # wait to see if a sub-actor task will be
+                        # scheduled and grab the tty lock on the next
+                        # tick?
+                        # await trio.testing.wait_all_tasks_blocked()
+
+                        debug_complete = _debug._no_remote_has_tty
+                        if (
+                            debug_complete and
+                            not debug_complete.is_set()
+                        ):
+                            log.warning(
+                                'Root has errored but pdb is in use by '
+                                f'child {_debug._global_actor_in_debug}\n'
+                                'Waiting on tty lock to release..')
+
+                            with trio.CancelScope(shield=True):
+                                await debug_complete.wait()
+
                     # if the caller's scope errored then we activate our
                     # one-cancels-all supervisor strategy (don't
                     # worry more are coming).
                     anursery._join_procs.set()
+
                     try:
                         # XXX: hypothetically an error could be
                         # raised and then a cancel signal shows up
@@ -301,7 +345,15 @@ async def _open_and_supervise_one_cancels_all_nursery(
                 # ria_nursery scope end
 
         # XXX: do we need a `trio.Cancelled` catch here as well?
-        except (Exception, trio.MultiError, trio.Cancelled) as err:
+        # this is the catch around the ``.run_in_actor()`` nursery
+        except (
+
+            Exception,
+            trio.MultiError,
+            trio.Cancelled
+
+        ) as err:
+
             # If actor-local error was raised while waiting on
             # ".run_in_actor()" actors then we also want to cancel all
             # remaining sub-actors (due to our lone strategy:
@@ -368,6 +420,7 @@ async def open_nursery(
             async with open_root_actor(**kwargs) as actor:
                 assert actor is current_actor()
 
+                # try:
                 async with _open_and_supervise_one_cancels_all_nursery(
                     actor
                 ) as anursery: