Basic Usage Problem with Rebar3 Release

[cogitaria-admin]

I'm new to VS Code and this extension so these are novel user (possibly dumb) questions.

I have a rebar3 generated hello world app that builds and runs.

The extension does syntax checking and highlighting as expected. So far so excellent.

One issue is I can't build from VS Code directly (where's the compile or build button?)

I have no idea what that image in the README under Build is intended to mean.

As for debugging, I added a default launch.json I think in response to a prompt that filled it in for me?

Anyway, the debug function fn F5 (macOS) appears to work but never hits my breakpoints.

There is nothing in the Output or Problems window and the Debug window just shows it running.

What's the workflow for developing with this thing. I feel like the README has substantial gaps for newbies in terms of interoperating with rebar3, debugging a release, etc.

Thanks in advance for any guidance.