Can I debug node in gdb without new xterm?

edit

Seems I misread what you wanted.

Is it possible to run my node in gdb in the same xterm as my launch with having to manually type run to start it?

I initially thought you wanted with-out having to manually type run .., hence my confusion.

According to Debugging with GDB - File Options - 2.1.1 Choosing Files:

-ex command

     Execute a single gdb command.

You tried gdb -ex run --args. I would assume gdb --args should do what you want (ie: start gdb with the specified executable, but not run it).

Edit: btw, I've assumed you want to start your node(s) using launch files. That is obviously not required, you could just as well start the node you want to debug with gdb --args /path/to/node/binary ARGS. But that would be in a separate terminal, so may not be what you want.