Import Checkstyle Project

Select File > New Project > Maven > Project with existing POM

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Debug

Open the Check's source file by double click on it in a source tree as is shown:

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Debug the Check by putting the breakpoint at controversial place (double-click) on the left part of line number as it is shown:

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Then right-click the corresponding Unit-test file or class definition > Debug Test File

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Then manage you debug operations by Ctrl+F7 (Step Out), F7 (Step Into), Shift+F8 (Step Over Expression), Step Over (F8)