diff --git a/languages/php/debugger.scm b/languages/php/debugger.scm
new file mode 100644
index 0000000..d6520af
--- /dev/null
+++ b/languages/php/debugger.scm
@@ -0,0 +1,28 @@
+; e.g. `$age = 25` matches `$age`
+(expression_statement
+    (assignment_expression
+        left: (variable_name) @debug-variable
+    )
+)
+
+; e.g. `++$age` matches `$age`
+(expression_statement
+    (update_expression
+        argument: (variable_name) @debug-variable
+    )
+)
+
+; e.g. `if ($age > 18)` matches `$age`
+(binary_expression
+    left: (variable_name) @debug-variable
+)
+
+; e.g. `if (18 < $age)` matches `$age`
+(binary_expression
+    right: (variable_name) @debug-variable
+)
+
+; e.g. `__construct(int $age)` matches `$age`
+(simple_parameter
+    name: (variable_name) @debug-variable
+)