A method of debugging an integrated circuit (IC) can include receiving, within a debugging system implemented within the IC, a debug command from a system external to the IC and, responsive to the debug command, initiating a debug function specified by the debug command for a processor system embedded on the IC. An IC also is provided that can include a programmable circuitry (e.g., a programmable fabric) coupled via an interface to processor system embedded in the IC. A debugging system can be implemented within the programmable fabric to communicate with the processor system via the interface.