Hi, I'm trying to debug (starting by setting a breakpoint) a Sparkfun example program.  I'm completely at a loss to figure out what's happening.  Here is a painfully detailed description of the steps I'm taking:

1. Run Arduino IDE.
2. Sketch -> Include Library -> Manage Libraries.
3. In Library Manager, search for "sparkfun_bio".
4. Install Sparkfun Bio Sensor Hub Library.
5. Close Library Manager.
6. Select board (I'm using ESP32) and COM port under Tools.
7. File -> Examples -> Sparkfun Bio Sensor Hub Library -> Example1_config_BPM_Mode1.
8. Verify to compile the sketch.
9. Upload to the target.
10. Tools -> Serial Monitor OR run a terminal emulation program; ensure baud rate is 115200.
11. View the following in the serial window:

ets Jun  8 2016 00:22:57

rst:0x1 (POWERON_RESET),boot:0x13 (SPI_FAST_FLASH_BOOT)
configsip: 0, SPIWP:0xee
clk_drv:0x00,q_drv:0x00,d_drv:0x00,cs0_drv:0x00,hd_drv:0x00,wp_drv:0x00
mode:DIO, clock div:1
load:0x3fff0018,len:4
load:0x3fff001c,len:1216
ho 0 tail 12 room 4
load:0x40078000,len:10944
load:0x40080400,len:6388
entry 0x400806b4
Could not communicate with the sensor!!!
Configuring Sensor....
Error configuring sensor.
Error: 255
Loading up the buffer with data....
Heartrate: 0
Confidence: 0
Oxygen: 0
Status: 0
Heartrate: 0
Confidence: 0
Oxygen: 0
Status: 0
...
(note that the "Could not communicate with the sensor!!!" message is where the application begins writing messages.  The error messages are expected, as I haven't actually connected the sensor kit to the ESP32)

12. Close Arduino IDE (and terminal emulation program if used).
13. Open Visual Studio Community 2019.
14. Extensions -> vMicro -> Visual Micro Explorer.
15. In Micro Explorer, Examples -> Sparkfun_Bio_Sensor_Hub_Library -> Example1_config_BPM_Mode1 -> Open Copy.
16. Close Micro Explorer.
17. Select Release, build and upload to the target.
18. Extensions -> vMicro -> View Port Monitor OR run a terminal emulation program; ensure baud rate is 115200.
19. View the same serial data as #11 above.
20. Select Debug, build and upload to the target.
21. The Serial window shows only:

Opening port
Port open

and a popup with a bunch of tips appears.  
If I click the Connect button in the Serial window, it shows

Port closed
Opening port
Port open

and the tips popup reappears.
I can't tell what is actually happening here.
The Build, Build/Upload and Stop Debugger buttons are all live in the toolbar.
The state of the Auto Toolbar Visibility doesn't have any affect on them.
Also the Start button next to the green arrow is live, but does nothing if I click it.

Please advise what I'm missing or doing wrong.  Thank you.

Hi Simon,
I did everything as directed in your reply, got the same results.  Below is what's shown in the Output window. Thanks

Launching Debugger...
   - Serial debug will start immediately. WiFi (or gdb) debug will start a few seconds or a short time after the remote device connects to the network.
   - Switch on 'vmicro>debugger>full speed' to prevent debugger message throttling. (read the docs)
   - If 'in-break live watch' is disabled, continue an existing paused debug session by sending the character 'c' to the board using the Serial window.
   - If uploading on WiFi but debug is on Serial then it is possible the cpu will be in debug break when OTA upload is attempting connect. If this is the case then sending char 'c' using the serial/debug terminal will force the mcu to continue (like F5).
   - WiFi debug? Wifi debug is not fully supported yet. Use the vMicro>Debugger menu to set an alternative debug port such as Serial (default speed is 115k)
   - To view debug messages without trace messages use the 'message windows' option on the monitor window.
   - Switch off this message and other Tutorial messages using the 'vMicro>General' menu
Program Running 'Example1_config_BPM_Mode1'
User Experience: The serial debugger was delayed waiting for an incoming line of data. If the Serial.print() command is used between breakpoints, then ensure that a line termnator is sent using .println() or .print("\r\n"). Optionally, use #if defined(VM_DEBUG) to add code that is only active when debugging. (if this is expected then switch this user experience message off in tools>options>visual micro>micro debug)

It is difficult to know what you have configured and if your own sketch code uses the serial port, if so that needs a line terminator.

for a better overview and response we need the info showin the yellow box near the top of this page. That will also show us your build folder allowing us to point you to another file we need to see.

Thanks