# Defining the launching preferences

Using the Preferences page, you can define the preferences that the servers use when starting or switching server modes. Switching server modes occurs when you use the Run on Server or Debug on Server commands.

To define these preferences, complete the following:

1. In the toolbar, select Window > Preferences.
2. In the Preferences window, expand Server and then select Launching.
3. Specify one or more of the following settings:

   Option | Description
   --- | ---
   Automatically publish when starting servers | Specifies that all the files should automatically be published before starting the server.

   Save dirty editors before starting server

   Specify the preference for saving the changes in any open server editors before starting the server by selecting one of the following options:
   - Always - specifies the workbench will automatically save any changes in an open server editor before starting the server
   - Never - specifies the workbench will not save the changes in any open editors before starting the server
   - Prompt - specifies the workbench to prompt you before saving any changes in an open server editor

   When switching to a different server mode

   When switching the server to run in a different mode, for example using the Run As > Run on Server or Debug As > Debug on Server, specify the next action of the server by selecting one of the following options:
   - Restart - specifies the workbench to stop and restart the server
   - Continue - specifies to continue running the server in previous mode and ignore the change request of running in a different server mode
   - Prompt - specifies the workbench to prompt you for the next server action when you switch the server to run in a different mode

   When switching the server out of debug mode

   When you finish running the server in debug mode and switch out, for example using the Run As > Run on Server command, specify the next action of the server by selecting one of the following options:
   - Restart - specifies the workbench to stop and restart the server
   - Disable breakpoints - specifies to clear all previously set breakpoints from the application and continue running the application in the newly selected server mode
   - Continue - specifies to continue running the server in debug mode and ignore the change request of running in a different server mode
   - Prompt - specifies the workbench to prompt you for the next server action when switching the server out of debug mode

   When switching the server into debug mode, re-enable breakpoints

   When you change the server mode into debug mode, for example using the Debug As > Debug on Server command, specify how to handle the breakpoints currently set in your application by selecting one of the following options:
   - Always - specifies to enable all the currently set breakpoints in your application and break at them
   - Never - specifies the workbench to ignore all the breakpoints previously set in your application and continue running the application on the server in debug mode. When the workbench ignores all the breakpoints in your application, the behavior of the server mode is similar to using the Run on Server command. However, because the server is running in debug mode, you have the opportunity to enable or re-enable breakpoints in your application.
   - Prompt - specifies the workbench will prompt you on how to handle the breakpoints set in your applications

Parent topic: Defining server preferences