diff --git a/spec/construct/test_debug_array_user.py b/spec/construct/test_debug_array_user.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..b7a8238d3
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spec/construct/test_debug_array_user.py
@@ -0,0 +1,15 @@
+# Autogenerated from KST: please remove this line if doing any edits by hand!
+
+import unittest
+
+from debug_array_user import _schema
+
+class TestDebugArrayUser(unittest.TestCase):
+    def test_debug_array_user(self):
+        r = _schema.parse_file('src/fixed_struct.bin')
+        r._read()
+
+        self.assertEqual(r.one_cat.meow, 80)
+        self.assertEqual(r.array_of_cats[0].meow, 65)
+        self.assertEqual(r.array_of_cats[1].meow, 67)
+        self.assertEqual(r.array_of_cats[2].meow, 75)
diff --git a/spec/construct/test_debug_switch_user.py b/spec/construct/test_debug_switch_user.py
index 9120d4e32..6e6a4bf54 100644
--- a/spec/construct/test_debug_switch_user.py
+++ b/spec/construct/test_debug_switch_user.py
@@ -7,6 +7,7 @@
 class TestDebugSwitchUser(unittest.TestCase):
     def test_debug_switch_user(self):
         r = _schema.parse_file('src/nav_parent_switch.bin')
+        r._read()
 
         self.assertEqual(r.code, 1)
         self.assertEqual(r.data.val, -190)
diff --git a/spec/cpp_stl_11/test_debug_array_user.cpp b/spec/cpp_stl_11/test_debug_array_user.cpp
index fc78070d2..04fc4ae9f 100644
--- a/spec/cpp_stl_11/test_debug_array_user.cpp
+++ b/spec/cpp_stl_11/test_debug_array_user.cpp
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
+// Autogenerated from KST: please remove this line if doing any edits by hand!
+
 #include <boost/test/unit_test.hpp>
-#include <debug_array_user.h>
+#include "debug_array_user.h"
 #include <iostream>
 #include <fstream>
 #include <vector>
@@ -8,14 +10,12 @@ BOOST_AUTO_TEST_CASE(test_debug_array_user) {
     std::ifstream ifs("src/fixed_struct.bin", std::ifstream::binary);
     kaitai::kstream ks(&ifs);
     debug_array_user_t* r = new debug_array_user_t(&ks);
-
-    // --debug implies --no-auto-read
     r->_read();
 
-    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(r->one_cat()->meow(), 0x50);
-    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(r->array_of_cats()->at(0)->meow(), 0x41);
-    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(r->array_of_cats()->at(1)->meow(), 0x43);
-    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(r->array_of_cats()->at(2)->meow(), 0x4b);
+    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(r->one_cat()->meow(), 80);
+    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(r->array_of_cats()->at(0)->meow(), 65);
+    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(r->array_of_cats()->at(1)->meow(), 67);
+    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(r->array_of_cats()->at(2)->meow(), 75);
 
     delete r;
 }
diff --git a/spec/cpp_stl_11/test_debug_switch_user.cpp b/spec/cpp_stl_11/test_debug_switch_user.cpp
index 795737f3d..93b2b7060 100644
--- a/spec/cpp_stl_11/test_debug_switch_user.cpp
+++ b/spec/cpp_stl_11/test_debug_switch_user.cpp
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// runs in debug mode, so the _read() needs to be called manually
+// Autogenerated from KST: please remove this line if doing any edits by hand!
 
 #include <boost/test/unit_test.hpp>
 #include "debug_switch_user.h"
@@ -6,14 +6,12 @@
 #include <fstream>
 #include <vector>
 
-
 BOOST_AUTO_TEST_CASE(test_debug_switch_user) {
     std::ifstream ifs("src/nav_parent_switch.bin", std::ifstream::binary);
     kaitai::kstream ks(&ifs);
     debug_switch_user_t* r = new debug_switch_user_t(&ks);
     r->_read();
 
-
     BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(r->code(), 1);
     BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(static_cast<debug_switch_user_t::one_t*>(r->data())->val(), -190);
 
diff --git a/spec/cpp_stl_98/test_debug_array_user.cpp b/spec/cpp_stl_98/test_debug_array_user.cpp
index fc78070d2..04fc4ae9f 100644
--- a/spec/cpp_stl_98/test_debug_array_user.cpp
+++ b/spec/cpp_stl_98/test_debug_array_user.cpp
@@ -1,5 +1,7 @@
+// Autogenerated from KST: please remove this line if doing any edits by hand!
+
 #include <boost/test/unit_test.hpp>
-#include <debug_array_user.h>
+#include "debug_array_user.h"
 #include <iostream>
 #include <fstream>
 #include <vector>
@@ -8,14 +10,12 @@ BOOST_AUTO_TEST_CASE(test_debug_array_user) {
     std::ifstream ifs("src/fixed_struct.bin", std::ifstream::binary);
     kaitai::kstream ks(&ifs);
     debug_array_user_t* r = new debug_array_user_t(&ks);
-
-    // --debug implies --no-auto-read
     r->_read();
 
-    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(r->one_cat()->meow(), 0x50);
-    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(r->array_of_cats()->at(0)->meow(), 0x41);
-    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(r->array_of_cats()->at(1)->meow(), 0x43);
-    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(r->array_of_cats()->at(2)->meow(), 0x4b);
+    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(r->one_cat()->meow(), 80);
+    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(r->array_of_cats()->at(0)->meow(), 65);
+    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(r->array_of_cats()->at(1)->meow(), 67);
+    BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(r->array_of_cats()->at(2)->meow(), 75);
 
     delete r;
 }
diff --git a/spec/cpp_stl_98/test_debug_switch_user.cpp b/spec/cpp_stl_98/test_debug_switch_user.cpp
index 795737f3d..93b2b7060 100644
--- a/spec/cpp_stl_98/test_debug_switch_user.cpp
+++ b/spec/cpp_stl_98/test_debug_switch_user.cpp
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// runs in debug mode, so the _read() needs to be called manually
+// Autogenerated from KST: please remove this line if doing any edits by hand!
 
 #include <boost/test/unit_test.hpp>
 #include "debug_switch_user.h"
@@ -6,14 +6,12 @@
 #include <fstream>
 #include <vector>
 
-
 BOOST_AUTO_TEST_CASE(test_debug_switch_user) {
     std::ifstream ifs("src/nav_parent_switch.bin", std::ifstream::binary);
     kaitai::kstream ks(&ifs);
     debug_switch_user_t* r = new debug_switch_user_t(&ks);
     r->_read();
 
-
     BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(r->code(), 1);
     BOOST_CHECK_EQUAL(static_cast<debug_switch_user_t::one_t*>(r->data())->val(), -190);
 
diff --git a/spec/csharp/kaitai_struct_csharp_tests/tests/SpecDebugArrayUser.cs b/spec/csharp/kaitai_struct_csharp_tests/tests/SpecDebugArrayUser.cs
index 1ff546ff8..684c19b46 100644
--- a/spec/csharp/kaitai_struct_csharp_tests/tests/SpecDebugArrayUser.cs
+++ b/spec/csharp/kaitai_struct_csharp_tests/tests/SpecDebugArrayUser.cs
@@ -1,21 +1,22 @@
-using System;
+// Autogenerated from KST: please remove this line if doing any edits by hand!
+
+using NUnit.Framework;
 
 namespace Kaitai
 {
-    using NUnit.Framework;
-
     [TestFixture]
     public class SpecDebugArrayUser : CommonSpec
     {
         [Test]
         public void TestDebugArrayUser()
         {
-            DebugArrayUser r = DebugArrayUser.FromFile(SourceFile("fixed_struct.bin"));
+            var r = DebugArrayUser.FromFile(SourceFile("fixed_struct.bin"));
             r._read();
-            Assert.AreEqual(r.OneCat.Meow, 0x50);
-            Assert.AreEqual(r.ArrayOfCats[0].Meow, 0x41);
-            Assert.AreEqual(r.ArrayOfCats[1].Meow, 0x43);
-            Assert.AreEqual(r.ArrayOfCats[2].Meow, 0x4b);
+
+            Assert.AreEqual(r.OneCat.Meow, 80);
+            Assert.AreEqual(r.ArrayOfCats[0].Meow, 65);
+            Assert.AreEqual(r.ArrayOfCats[1].Meow, 67);
+            Assert.AreEqual(r.ArrayOfCats[2].Meow, 75);
         }
     }
 }
diff --git a/spec/csharp/kaitai_struct_csharp_tests/tests/SpecDebugSwitchUser.cs b/spec/csharp/kaitai_struct_csharp_tests/tests/SpecDebugSwitchUser.cs
index fa2b13ba8..e0a776190 100644
--- a/spec/csharp/kaitai_struct_csharp_tests/tests/SpecDebugSwitchUser.cs
+++ b/spec/csharp/kaitai_struct_csharp_tests/tests/SpecDebugSwitchUser.cs
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// runs in debug mode, so the _read() needs to be called manually
+// Autogenerated from KST: please remove this line if doing any edits by hand!
 
 using NUnit.Framework;
 
@@ -13,7 +13,6 @@ public void TestDebugSwitchUser()
             var r = DebugSwitchUser.FromFile(SourceFile("nav_parent_switch.bin"));
             r._read();
 
-
             Assert.AreEqual(r.Code, 1);
             Assert.AreEqual(((DebugSwitchUser.One) (r.Data)).Val, -190);
         }
diff --git a/spec/go/debug_array_user_test.go b/spec/go/debug_array_user_test.go
index 4ac318623..a1582089f 100644
--- a/spec/go/debug_array_user_test.go
+++ b/spec/go/debug_array_user_test.go
@@ -1,3 +1,5 @@
+// Autogenerated from KST: please remove this line if doing any edits by hand!
+
 package spec
 
 import (
@@ -27,8 +29,8 @@ func TestDebugArrayUser(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
-	assert.EqualValues(t, 0x50, r.OneCat.Meow)
-	assert.EqualValues(t, 0x41, r.ArrayOfCats[0].Meow)
-	assert.EqualValues(t, 0x43, r.ArrayOfCats[1].Meow)
-	assert.EqualValues(t, 0x4b, r.ArrayOfCats[2].Meow)
+	assert.EqualValues(t, 80, r.OneCat.Meow)
+	assert.EqualValues(t, 65, r.ArrayOfCats[0].Meow)
+	assert.EqualValues(t, 67, r.ArrayOfCats[1].Meow)
+	assert.EqualValues(t, 75, r.ArrayOfCats[2].Meow)
 }
diff --git a/spec/java/src/io/kaitai/struct/spec/TestDebugArrayUser.java b/spec/java/src/io/kaitai/struct/spec/TestDebugArrayUser.java
index 55b86f049..41cb3a3e5 100644
--- a/spec/java/src/io/kaitai/struct/spec/TestDebugArrayUser.java
+++ b/spec/java/src/io/kaitai/struct/spec/TestDebugArrayUser.java
@@ -1,19 +1,20 @@
+// Autogenerated from KST: please remove this line if doing any edits by hand!
+
 package io.kaitai.struct.spec;
 
 import io.kaitai.struct.testformats.DebugArrayUser;
 import org.testng.annotations.Test;
-
-import static org.testng.Assert.assertEquals;
-
+import static org.testng.Assert.*;
 public class TestDebugArrayUser extends CommonSpec {
+
     @Test
     public void testDebugArrayUser() throws Exception {
         DebugArrayUser r = DebugArrayUser.fromFile(SRC_DIR + "fixed_struct.bin");
         r._read();
 
-        assertEquals(r.oneCat().meow(), 0x50);
-        assertEquals(r.arrayOfCats().get(0).meow(), 0x41);
-        assertEquals(r.arrayOfCats().get(1).meow(), 0x43);
-        assertEquals(r.arrayOfCats().get(2).meow(), 0x4b);
+        assertIntEquals(r.oneCat().meow(), 80);
+        assertIntEquals(r.arrayOfCats().get((int) 0).meow(), 65);
+        assertIntEquals(r.arrayOfCats().get((int) 1).meow(), 67);
+        assertIntEquals(r.arrayOfCats().get((int) 2).meow(), 75);
     }
 }
diff --git a/spec/java/src/io/kaitai/struct/spec/TestDebugSwitchUser.java b/spec/java/src/io/kaitai/struct/spec/TestDebugSwitchUser.java
index cbc2126b0..d1f03ce71 100644
--- a/spec/java/src/io/kaitai/struct/spec/TestDebugSwitchUser.java
+++ b/spec/java/src/io/kaitai/struct/spec/TestDebugSwitchUser.java
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// runs in debug mode, so the _read() needs to be called manually
+// Autogenerated from KST: please remove this line if doing any edits by hand!
 
 package io.kaitai.struct.spec;
 
diff --git a/spec/javascript/test_debug_array_user.js b/spec/javascript/test_debug_array_user.js
index 0a3b293cd..53fc3d8ca 100644
--- a/spec/javascript/test_debug_array_user.js
+++ b/spec/javascript/test_debug_array_user.js
@@ -1,11 +1,13 @@
+// Autogenerated from KST: please remove this line if doing any edits by hand!
+
 var assert = require('assert');
 var testHelper = require('testHelper');
 
-testHelper('DebugArrayUser', 'src/fixed_struct.bin', function(r) {
-    r._read();
+testHelper('DebugArrayUser', 'src/fixed_struct.bin', function(r, DebugArrayUser) {
+  r._read();
 
-    assert.equal(r.oneCat.meow, 80);
-    assert.equal(r.arrayOfCats[0].meow, 65);
-    assert.equal(r.arrayOfCats[1].meow, 67);
-    assert.equal(r.arrayOfCats[2].meow, 75);
+  assert.strictEqual(r.oneCat.meow, 80);
+  assert.strictEqual(r.arrayOfCats[0].meow, 65);
+  assert.strictEqual(r.arrayOfCats[1].meow, 67);
+  assert.strictEqual(r.arrayOfCats[2].meow, 75);
 });
diff --git a/spec/javascript/test_debug_switch_user.js b/spec/javascript/test_debug_switch_user.js
index 9c3c9bfee..159c77c7d 100644
--- a/spec/javascript/test_debug_switch_user.js
+++ b/spec/javascript/test_debug_switch_user.js
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-// runs in debug mode, so the _read() needs to be called manually
+// Autogenerated from KST: please remove this line if doing any edits by hand!
 
 var assert = require('assert');
 var testHelper = require('testHelper');
diff --git a/spec/ks/debug_array_user.kst b/spec/ks/debug_array_user.kst
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..96cfda06a
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spec/ks/debug_array_user.kst
@@ -0,0 +1,12 @@
+id: debug_array_user
+data: fixed_struct.bin
+debug: true
+asserts:
+  - actual: one_cat.meow
+    expected: 0x50
+  - actual: array_of_cats[0].meow
+    expected: 0x41
+  - actual: array_of_cats[1].meow
+    expected: 0x43
+  - actual: array_of_cats[2].meow
+    expected: 0x4b
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/spec/ks/debug_switch_user.kst b/spec/ks/debug_switch_user.kst
index 01fec2e89..5a505e0d8 100644
--- a/spec/ks/debug_switch_user.kst
+++ b/spec/ks/debug_switch_user.kst
@@ -1,5 +1,6 @@
 id: debug_switch_user
 data: nav_parent_switch.bin
+debug: true
 asserts:
   - actual: code
     expected: 1
diff --git a/spec/lua/test_debug_array_user.lua b/spec/lua/test_debug_array_user.lua
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..c1ab5c947
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spec/lua/test_debug_array_user.lua
@@ -0,0 +1,17 @@
+-- Autogenerated from KST: please remove this line if doing any edits by hand!
+
+local luaunit = require("luaunit")
+
+require("debug_array_user")
+
+TestDebugArrayUser = {}
+
+function TestDebugArrayUser:test_debug_array_user()
+    local r = DebugArrayUser:from_file("src/fixed_struct.bin")
+    r:_read()
+
+    luaunit.assertEquals(r.one_cat.meow, 80)
+    luaunit.assertEquals(r.array_of_cats[0 + 1].meow, 65)
+    luaunit.assertEquals(r.array_of_cats[1 + 1].meow, 67)
+    luaunit.assertEquals(r.array_of_cats[2 + 1].meow, 75)
+end
diff --git a/spec/lua/test_debug_switch_user.lua b/spec/lua/test_debug_switch_user.lua
index 2df402298..29f5eb7a5 100644
--- a/spec/lua/test_debug_switch_user.lua
+++ b/spec/lua/test_debug_switch_user.lua
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
--- runs in debug mode, so _read() needs to be called manually
+-- Autogenerated from KST: please remove this line if doing any edits by hand!
 
 local luaunit = require("luaunit")
 
diff --git a/spec/nim/tdebug_array_user.nim b/spec/nim/tdebug_array_user.nim
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..c505d7f90
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spec/nim/tdebug_array_user.nim
@@ -0,0 +1,13 @@
+# Autogenerated from KST: please remove this line if doing any edits by hand!
+
+import os, streams, options, sequtils
+import ../../compiled/nim/debug_array_user
+import auxiliary/test_utils
+
+let r = DebugArrayUser.fromFile("../../src/fixed_struct.bin")
+r._read()
+
+assert r.oneCat.meow == 80
+assert r.arrayOfCats[0].meow == 65
+assert r.arrayOfCats[1].meow == 67
+assert r.arrayOfCats[2].meow == 75
diff --git a/spec/nim/tdebug_switch_user.nim b/spec/nim/tdebug_switch_user.nim
index 4546c213e..9a4577a9c 100644
--- a/spec/nim/tdebug_switch_user.nim
+++ b/spec/nim/tdebug_switch_user.nim
@@ -5,6 +5,7 @@ import ../../compiled/nim/debug_switch_user
 import auxiliary/test_utils
 
 let r = DebugSwitchUser.fromFile("../../src/nav_parent_switch.bin")
+r._read()
 
 assert r.code == 1
 assert (DebugSwitchUser_One(r.data)).val == -190
diff --git a/spec/perl/TestDebugArrayUser.t b/spec/perl/TestDebugArrayUser.t
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..c43940115
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spec/perl/TestDebugArrayUser.t
@@ -0,0 +1,21 @@
+# Autogenerated from KST: please remove this line if doing any edits by hand!
+
+package spec::perl::TestDebugArrayUser;
+
+use strict;
+use warnings;
+use base qw(Test::Class);
+use Test::More;
+use DebugArrayUser;
+
+sub test_debug_array_user: Test(4) {
+    my $r = DebugArrayUser->from_file('src/fixed_struct.bin');
+    $r->_read();
+
+    is($r->one_cat()->meow(), 80, 'Equals');
+    is(@{$r->array_of_cats()}[0]->meow(), 65, 'Equals');
+    is(@{$r->array_of_cats()}[1]->meow(), 67, 'Equals');
+    is(@{$r->array_of_cats()}[2]->meow(), 75, 'Equals');
+}
+
+Test::Class->runtests;
diff --git a/spec/perl/TestDebugSwitchUser.t b/spec/perl/TestDebugSwitchUser.t
index 959a22892..bb46050c5 100644
--- a/spec/perl/TestDebugSwitchUser.t
+++ b/spec/perl/TestDebugSwitchUser.t
@@ -10,6 +10,7 @@ use DebugSwitchUser;
 
 sub test_debug_switch_user: Test(2) {
     my $r = DebugSwitchUser->from_file('src/nav_parent_switch.bin');
+    $r->_read();
 
     is($r->code(), 1, 'Equals');
     is($r->data()->val(), -190, 'Equals');
diff --git a/spec/php/DebugArrayUserTest.php b/spec/php/DebugArrayUserTest.php
index 3aca51e52..2b2ed46e8 100644
--- a/spec/php/DebugArrayUserTest.php
+++ b/spec/php/DebugArrayUserTest.php
@@ -1,4 +1,6 @@
 <?php
+// Autogenerated from KST: please remove this line if doing any edits by hand!
+
 namespace Kaitai\Struct\Tests;
 
 class DebugArrayUserTest extends TestCase {
@@ -6,9 +8,9 @@ public function testDebugArrayUser() {
         $r = DebugArrayUser::fromFile(self::SRC_DIR_PATH . '/fixed_struct.bin');
         $r->_read();
 
-        $this->assertSame(0x50, $r->oneCat()->meow());
-        $this->assertSame(0x41, $r->arrayOfCats()[0]->meow());
-        $this->assertSame(0x43, $r->arrayOfCats()[1]->meow());
-        $this->assertSame(0x4b, $r->arrayOfCats()[2]->meow());
+        $this->assertSame(80, $r->oneCat()->meow());
+        $this->assertSame(65, $r->arrayOfCats()[0]->meow());
+        $this->assertSame(67, $r->arrayOfCats()[1]->meow());
+        $this->assertSame(75, $r->arrayOfCats()[2]->meow());
     }
 }
diff --git a/spec/php/DebugSwitchUserTest.php b/spec/php/DebugSwitchUserTest.php
index 7ce3c58a6..812d3d92b 100644
--- a/spec/php/DebugSwitchUserTest.php
+++ b/spec/php/DebugSwitchUserTest.php
@@ -1,5 +1,5 @@
 <?php
-// runs in debug mode, so the _read() needs to be called manually
+// Autogenerated from KST: please remove this line if doing any edits by hand!
 
 namespace Kaitai\Struct\Tests;
 
diff --git a/spec/python/test_debug_array_user.py b/spec/python/test_debug_array_user.py
index 48a4fa7be..e90fe2cc0 100644
--- a/spec/python/test_debug_array_user.py
+++ b/spec/python/test_debug_array_user.py
@@ -1,14 +1,14 @@
-import unittest
+# Autogenerated from KST: please remove this line if doing any edits by hand!
 
+import unittest
 from debug_array_user import DebugArrayUser
 
 class TestDebugArrayUser(unittest.TestCase):
     def test_debug_array_user(self):
         with DebugArrayUser.from_file('src/fixed_struct.bin') as r:
-            # --debug implies --no-auto-read            
             r._read()
-            
-            self.assertEqual(r.one_cat.meow, 0x50)
-            self.assertEqual(r.array_of_cats[0].meow, 0x41)
-            self.assertEqual(r.array_of_cats[1].meow, 0x43)
-            self.assertEqual(r.array_of_cats[2].meow, 0x4b)
+
+            self.assertEqual(r.one_cat.meow, 80)
+            self.assertEqual(r.array_of_cats[0].meow, 65)
+            self.assertEqual(r.array_of_cats[1].meow, 67)
+            self.assertEqual(r.array_of_cats[2].meow, 75)
diff --git a/spec/python/test_debug_switch_user.py b/spec/python/test_debug_switch_user.py
index b5b03f5fe..62744093f 100644
--- a/spec/python/test_debug_switch_user.py
+++ b/spec/python/test_debug_switch_user.py
@@ -1,7 +1,6 @@
-# runs in debug mode, so the _read() needs to be called manually
+# Autogenerated from KST: please remove this line if doing any edits by hand!
 
 import unittest
-
 from debug_switch_user import DebugSwitchUser
 
 class TestDebugSwitchUser(unittest.TestCase):
diff --git a/spec/ruby/debug_array_user_spec.rb b/spec/ruby/debug_array_user_spec.rb
index 49e159ab6..19cf8345c 100644
--- a/spec/ruby/debug_array_user_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/ruby/debug_array_user_spec.rb
@@ -1,12 +1,14 @@
+# Autogenerated from KST: please remove this line if doing any edits by hand!
+
 RSpec.describe 'DebugArrayUser' do
   it 'parses test properly' do
     require 'debug_array_user'
     r = DebugArrayUser.from_file('src/fixed_struct.bin')
     r._read
 
-    expect(r.one_cat.meow).to eq 0x50
-    expect(r.array_of_cats[0].meow).to eq 0x41
-    expect(r.array_of_cats[1].meow).to eq 0x43
-    expect(r.array_of_cats[2].meow).to eq 0x4b
+    expect(r.one_cat.meow).to eq 80
+    expect(r.array_of_cats[0].meow).to eq 65
+    expect(r.array_of_cats[1].meow).to eq 67
+    expect(r.array_of_cats[2].meow).to eq 75
   end
 end
diff --git a/spec/ruby/debug_switch_user_spec.rb b/spec/ruby/debug_switch_user_spec.rb
index 9fa2de3cd..bb5cbc917 100644
--- a/spec/ruby/debug_switch_user_spec.rb
+++ b/spec/ruby/debug_switch_user_spec.rb
@@ -1,4 +1,4 @@
-# runs in debug mode, so the _read() needs to be called manually
+# Autogenerated from KST: please remove this line if doing any edits by hand!
 
 RSpec.describe 'DebugSwitchUser' do
   it 'parses test properly' do
diff --git a/spec/rust/test_debug_array_user.rs b/spec/rust/test_debug_array_user.rs
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..251183e4b
--- /dev/null
+++ b/spec/rust/test_debug_array_user.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,19 @@
+// Autogenerated from KST: please remove this line if doing any edits by hand!
+
+extern crate kaitai_struct;
+extern crate rust;
+
+use kaitai_struct::KaitaiStruct;
+use rust::DebugArrayUser;
+
+#[test]
+fn test_debug_array_user() {
+    if let Ok(r) = DebugArrayUser::from_file("src/fixed_struct.bin") {
+        r.read().expect("cannot read test file");
+
+        assert_eq!(r.one_cat.meow, 80);
+        assert_eq!(r.array_of_cats[0].meow, 65);
+        assert_eq!(r.array_of_cats[1].meow, 67);
+        assert_eq!(r.array_of_cats[2].meow, 75);
+    }
+}
diff --git a/spec/rust/test_debug_switch_user.rs b/spec/rust/test_debug_switch_user.rs
index a708987d3..db8ebe715 100644
--- a/spec/rust/test_debug_switch_user.rs
+++ b/spec/rust/test_debug_switch_user.rs
@@ -9,6 +9,7 @@ use rust::DebugSwitchUser;
 #[test]
 fn test_debug_switch_user() {
     if let Ok(r) = DebugSwitchUser::from_file("src/nav_parent_switch.bin") {
+        r.read().expect("cannot read test file");
 
         assert_eq!(r.code, 1);
         assert_eq!(r.data.val, -190);
diff --git a/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/TestSpec.scala b/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/TestSpec.scala
index ddea127a3..e049f2ab2 100644
--- a/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/TestSpec.scala
+++ b/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/TestSpec.scala
@@ -14,6 +14,7 @@ case class TestException(actual: Ast.expr, exception: KSError) extends TestAsser
 case class TestSpec(
   id: String,
   data: String,
+  debug: Boolean,
   asserts: List[TestAssert],
   exception: Option[KSError],
   extraImports: List[String]
@@ -48,11 +49,12 @@ object TestSpec {
 
     val id = ParseUtils.getValueStr(srcMap, "id", List())
     val data = ParseUtils.getValueStr(srcMap, "data", List())
+    val debug = ParseUtils.getOptValueBool(srcMap, "debug", List()).getOrElse(false)
     val asserts = ParseUtils.getList[TestAssert](srcMap, "asserts", testAssertFromYaml, List())
     val exception = ParseUtils.getOptValueStr(srcMap, "exception", List()).map(KSError.fromName)
     val extraImports = ParseUtils.getListStr(srcMap, "imports", List())
 
-    TestSpec(id, data, asserts, exception, extraImports)
+    TestSpec(id, data, debug, asserts, exception, extraImports)
   }
 
   def fromFile(fileName: String): TestSpec = {
diff --git a/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/TestTranslator.scala b/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/TestTranslator.scala
index 3a0cc1e84..b01b51c38 100644
--- a/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/TestTranslator.scala
+++ b/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/TestTranslator.scala
@@ -25,7 +25,7 @@ class TestTranslator(options: CLIOptions) {
     Console.println(s"Translating: $testName")
 
     val testSpec = loadTestSpec(testName)
-    val classSpecs = loadClassSpecs(testName)
+    val classSpecs = loadClassSpecs(testName, testSpec.debug)
     val initObj = classSpecs(INIT_OBJ_TYPE)
     val provider = new ClassTypeProvider(classSpecs, initObj)
 
@@ -57,7 +57,7 @@ class TestTranslator(options: CLIOptions) {
   def loadTestSpec(testName: String): TestSpec =
     TestSpec.fromFile(s"$specKsDir/$testName.kst")
 
-  def loadClassSpecs(testName: String): ClassSpecs = {
+  def loadClassSpecs(testName: String, debug: Boolean): ClassSpecs = {
     val cliConfig = CLIConfig(importPaths = importDirs)
     val (origSpecsOpt, errors) = JavaKSYParser.localFileToSpecs(s"$formatsDir/$testName.ksy", cliConfig)
 
@@ -82,7 +82,7 @@ class TestTranslator(options: CLIOptions) {
         endian = None,
         bitEndian = None,
         encoding = None,
-        forceDebug = false,
+        forceDebug = debug,
         opaqueTypes = None,
         zeroCopySubstream = None,
         imports = List()
diff --git a/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/CSharpSG.scala b/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/CSharpSG.scala
index 6714c8b52..2aa99206c 100644
--- a/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/CSharpSG.scala
+++ b/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/CSharpSG.scala
@@ -31,6 +31,9 @@ class CSharpSG(spec: TestSpec, provider: ClassTypeProvider) extends BaseGenerato
 
   override def runParse(): Unit = {
     out.puts(s"var r = $className.FromFile(SourceFile(" + "\"" + spec.data + "\"));")
+    if (spec.debug) {
+      out.puts("r._read();")
+    }
   }
 
   override def runParseExpectError(exception: KSError): Unit = {
@@ -40,7 +43,7 @@ class CSharpSG(spec: TestSpec, provider: ClassTypeProvider) extends BaseGenerato
     out.puts("delegate")
     out.puts("{")
     out.inc
-    out.puts(s"""$className.FromFile(SourceFile("${spec.data}"));""")
+    runParse()
     out.dec
     out.puts("}")
     out.dec
diff --git a/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/ConstructSG.scala b/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/ConstructSG.scala
index 90d452400..081adf3b4 100644
--- a/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/ConstructSG.scala
+++ b/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/ConstructSG.scala
@@ -25,8 +25,12 @@ class ConstructSG(spec: TestSpec, provider: ClassTypeProvider) extends BaseGener
     out.inc
   }
 
-  override def runParse(): Unit =
+  override def runParse(): Unit = {
     out.puts(s"r = _schema.parse_file('src/${spec.data}')")
+    if (spec.debug) {
+      out.puts("r._read()")
+    }
+  }
 
   override def footer(): Unit = {}
 
diff --git a/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/CppStlSG.scala b/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/CppStlSG.scala
index c2b9fe6b1..b8ea16618 100644
--- a/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/CppStlSG.scala
+++ b/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/CppStlSG.scala
@@ -33,19 +33,32 @@ class CppStlSG(spec: TestSpec, provider: ClassTypeProvider, cppConfig: CppRuntim
   override def runParse(): Unit = {
     runParseCommon1()
     out.puts(s"$className* r = new $className(&ks);")
+    if (spec.debug) {
+      out.puts("r->_read();")
+    }
   }
 
   override def runParseExpectError(exception: KSError): Unit = {
     cppImportList.addKaitai("kaitai/exceptions.h")
 
     runParseCommon1()
-    out.puts(s"$className* r = ${compiler.nullPtr};")
-    out.puts("BOOST_CHECK_THROW(")
-    out.inc
-    out.puts(s"r = new $className(&ks),")
-    out.puts(compiler.ksErrorName(exception))
-    out.dec
-    out.puts(");")
+    if (spec.debug) {
+      out.puts(s"$className* r = new $className(&ks);")
+      out.puts("BOOST_CHECK_THROW(")
+      out.inc
+      out.puts("r->_read(),")
+      out.puts(compiler.ksErrorName(exception))
+      out.dec
+      out.puts(");")
+    } else {
+      out.puts(s"$className* r = ${compiler.nullPtr};")
+      out.puts("BOOST_CHECK_THROW(")
+      out.inc
+      out.puts(s"r = new $className(&ks),")
+      out.puts(compiler.ksErrorName(exception))
+      out.dec
+      out.puts(");")
+    }
   }
 
   def runParseCommon1(): Unit = {
diff --git a/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/JavaSG.scala b/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/JavaSG.scala
index fe56d3e65..200c93942 100644
--- a/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/JavaSG.scala
+++ b/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/JavaSG.scala
@@ -54,6 +54,9 @@ class JavaSG(spec: TestSpec, provider: ClassTypeProvider) extends BaseGenerator(
     val needsFinal = spec.asserts.exists(assert => assert.isInstanceOf[TestException])
     val finalKeyword = if (needsFinal) "final " else ""
     out.puts(s"${finalKeyword}$className r = $className.fromFile(SRC_DIR + " + "\"" + spec.data + "\");")
+    if (spec.debug) {
+      out.puts("r._read();")
+    }
   }
 
   override def footer(): Unit = {
diff --git a/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/JavaScriptSG.scala b/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/JavaScriptSG.scala
index 18ebfc54a..566d29ff7 100644
--- a/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/JavaScriptSG.scala
+++ b/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/JavaScriptSG.scala
@@ -27,6 +27,9 @@ class JavaScriptSG(spec: TestSpec, provider: ClassTypeProvider) extends BaseGene
       val entryClass = JavaScriptCompiler.type2class(entry)
       out.puts(s"var $entryClass = require('$entryClass').$entryClass;")
     }
+    if (spec.debug) {
+      out.puts("r._read();")
+    }
   }
 
   override def runParseExpectError(exception: KSError): Unit = {
@@ -34,6 +37,9 @@ class JavaScriptSG(spec: TestSpec, provider: ClassTypeProvider) extends BaseGene
     importList.add("KaitaiStream")
 
     out.puts(s"testHelperThrows('$className', 'src/${spec.data}', ${JavaScriptCompiler.ksErrorName(exception)});")
+    if (spec.debug) {
+      out.puts("r._read();")
+    }
   }
 
   override def footer(): Unit = if (spec.exception.isEmpty) {
diff --git a/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/LuaSG.scala b/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/LuaSG.scala
index 6e26760e4..2821f381d 100644
--- a/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/LuaSG.scala
+++ b/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/LuaSG.scala
@@ -31,6 +31,9 @@ class LuaSG(spec: TestSpec, provider: ClassTypeProvider) extends BaseGenerator(s
 
   override def runParse(): Unit = {
     out.puts(s"""local r = $className:from_file("src/${spec.data}")""")
+    if (spec.debug) {
+      out.puts("r:_read()")
+    }
   }
 
   override def runParseExpectError(exception: KSError): Unit = {
@@ -40,7 +43,12 @@ class LuaSG(spec: TestSpec, provider: ClassTypeProvider) extends BaseGenerator(s
       case EndOfStreamError => "requested %d+ bytes, but only %d+ bytes available"
       case _ => LuaCompiler.ksErrorName(exception)
     }
-    out.puts(s"""luaunit.assertErrorMsgMatches(".+: $msg", $className.from_file, $className, "src/${spec.data}")""")
+    if (spec.debug) {
+      out.puts(s"""local r = $className:from_file("src/${spec.data}")""")
+      out.puts(s"""luaunit.assertErrorMsgMatches(".+: $msg", r.read, r")""")
+    } else {
+      out.puts(s"""luaunit.assertErrorMsgMatches(".+: $msg", $className.from_file, $className, "src/${spec.data}")""")
+    }
   }
 
   override def footer(): Unit = {
diff --git a/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/NimSG.scala b/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/NimSG.scala
index b514e7f11..084ac0082 100644
--- a/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/NimSG.scala
+++ b/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/NimSG.scala
@@ -20,7 +20,10 @@ class NimSG(spec: TestSpec, provider: ClassTypeProvider) extends BaseGenerator(s
   // Members declared in io.kaitai.struct.testtranslator.specgenerators.BaseGenerator
   override def fileName(name: String): String = s"t${spec.id}.nim"
   override def header(): Unit = {
-    out.puts(s"let r = ${className}.fromFile" + "(\"../../src/" + spec.data + "\")")
+    out.puts(s"let r = ${className}.fromFile(\"../../src/${spec.data}\")")
+    if (spec.debug) {
+      out.puts("r._read()")
+    }
   }
   override def footer(): Unit = { }
   override def nullAssert(actual: expr): Unit = {
diff --git a/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/PHPSG.scala b/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/PHPSG.scala
index ba3cc25a4..8bbcb6bbb 100644
--- a/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/PHPSG.scala
+++ b/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/PHPSG.scala
@@ -26,6 +26,9 @@ class PHPSG(spec: TestSpec, provider: ClassTypeProvider) extends BaseGenerator(s
 
   override def runParse(): Unit = {
     out.puts(s"$$r = $className::fromFile(self::SRC_DIR_PATH . '/${spec.data}');")
+    if (spec.debug) {
+      out.puts("$r->_read();")
+    }
   }
 
   override def runParseExpectError(exception: KSError): Unit = {
diff --git a/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/PerlSG.scala b/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/PerlSG.scala
index d1a47624e..3299e58f1 100644
--- a/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/PerlSG.scala
+++ b/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/PerlSG.scala
@@ -31,6 +31,9 @@ class PerlSG(spec: TestSpec, provider: ClassTypeProvider) extends BaseGenerator(
 
   override def runParse(): Unit = {
     out.puts(s"my $$r = $className->from_file('src/${spec.data}');")
+    if (spec.debug) {
+      out.puts("$r->_read();")
+    }
   }
 
   override def runParseExpectError(exception: KSError): Unit = {
@@ -38,7 +41,11 @@ class PerlSG(spec: TestSpec, provider: ClassTypeProvider) extends BaseGenerator(
       case UndecidedEndiannessError => "Unable to decide on endianness"
       case EndOfStreamError => "Requested \\d+ bytes, but only \\d+ bytes available"
     }
-    out.puts(s"""throws_ok { $className->from_file('src/${spec.data}') } '/^$msg/';""")
+    out.puts("throws_ok {")
+    out.inc
+    runParse()
+    out.dec
+    out.puts(s"""} '/^$msg/';""")
   }
 
   override def footer(): Unit = {
diff --git a/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/PythonSG.scala b/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/PythonSG.scala
index dcfd50b76..37ccb97c3 100644
--- a/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/PythonSG.scala
+++ b/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/PythonSG.scala
@@ -34,6 +34,9 @@ class PythonSG(spec: TestSpec, provider: ClassTypeProvider) extends BaseGenerato
   override def runParse(): Unit = {
     out.puts(s"with $className.from_file('src/${spec.data}') as r:")
     out.inc
+    if (spec.debug) {
+      out.puts("r._read()")
+    }
   }
 
   override def runParseExpectError(exception: KSError): Unit = {
diff --git a/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/RubySG.scala b/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/RubySG.scala
index 4b6c87066..d9c1c06b9 100644
--- a/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/RubySG.scala
+++ b/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/RubySG.scala
@@ -27,6 +27,9 @@ class RubySG(spec: TestSpec, provider: ClassTypeProvider) extends BaseGenerator(
 
   override def runParse(): Unit = {
     out.puts(s"r = $className.from_file('src/${spec.data}')")
+    if (spec.debug) {
+      out.puts("r._read")
+    }
   }
 
   override def runParseExpectError(exception: KSError): Unit = {
diff --git a/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/RustSG.scala b/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/RustSG.scala
index 4cfd6136c..64e535ad6 100644
--- a/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/RustSG.scala
+++ b/translator/src/main/scala/io/kaitai/struct/testtranslator/specgenerators/RustSG.scala
@@ -18,7 +18,7 @@ class RustSG(spec: TestSpec, provider: ClassTypeProvider) extends BaseGenerator(
     out.puts("extern crate kaitai_struct;")
     out.puts(s"extern crate rust;")
     out.puts
-    
+
     out.puts("use kaitai_struct::KaitaiStruct;")
     out.puts(s"use rust::$className;")
     out.puts
@@ -29,6 +29,9 @@ class RustSG(spec: TestSpec, provider: ClassTypeProvider) extends BaseGenerator(
 
     out.puts("if let Ok(r) = " + className + "::from_file(\"src/" + spec.data + "\") {")
     out.inc
+    if (spec.debug) {
+      out.puts("r.read().expect(\"cannot read test file\");")
+    }
   }
 
   override def footer(): Unit = {