Proper instructions for setting up xdebug for simple scripts

Coming from Komodo, this is infinitely frustrating. I somehow figured out how to debug my web app (don't ask me to repeat the steps). 

Now I simply want to step through a Hello World script. Why is this so difficult?

Wading through project vs global prefs, something ambiguously called "configurations", some sort of separate 'host' settings sometimes referred to as 'servers' and a UI that wedges if I hit the wrong button, I am not able to run a local script through the debugger. At best, it fires off a browser window, which I don't want. 

Komodo simply asks where your cli binary and xdebug config are and you're done. 

I've been through the docs. I came across something pretty close, but it was already outdated and didn't reflect the current UI. 

Where can I find clear documentation on this overly complex xdebug setup?

Thanks!