diff --git a/README.md b/README.md
index 5ece853..7180dc5 100644
--- a/README.md
+++ b/README.md
@@ -4,11 +4,15 @@
 
 Blender developers with commit access can start builds by typing commands in comments on projects.blender.org.
 
-* `@blender-bot build [platform]`: build current pull request. A notification about the build progress / result is shown in the list of commits that make up this pull request.
+* `@blender-bot build [config] [platform]`: build current pull request. A notification about the build progress / result is shown in the list of commits that make up this pull request.
 * `@blender-bot package [platform]`: build current pull request and make package for download. The bot will post the link in a comment on the pull request.
 * `@blender-bot build-branch branch [platform]`: build the given branch. The bot will post a link to the build in a comment on the issue / pull request.
 * `@blender-bot package-branch branch [platform]`:  build branch and make package for download. The bot will post the link in a comment on the issue / pull request.
 
+`[config]` is optional. Possible values:
+* `release` (default)
+* `debug`: Builds in debug mode
+
 `[platform]` is optional, and used to build for just one platform. Possible values:
 * `windows` `macos` `linux` (for brevity)
 * `windows-amd64` `macos-x86_64` `macos-arm64` `linux-x86_64` (to be specific)
diff --git a/commands.py b/commands.py
index adf3e5a..552bf36 100644
--- a/commands.py
+++ b/commands.py
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ def get_pull_commit_hash(repo: str, pull_id: str):
     return result['head']['sha']
 
 
-def build(repo: str, reply_url: str, html_url: str, build_type: str, build_id: str, username: str, package: bool, platform_args: Sequence[str]):
+def build(repo: str, reply_url: str, html_url: str, build_type: str, build_id: str, build_config: str, username: str, package: bool, platform_args: Sequence[str]):
     """
     Build blender on the buildbot.
     """
@@ -132,7 +132,7 @@ def build(repo: str, reply_url: str, html_url: str, build_type: str, build_id: s
 
         params = {"needs_package_delivery": package,
                   "platform_architectures": platforms,
-                  "build_configuration": "release"}
+                  "build_configuration": build_config}
 
     elif repo == "blender/blender-manual":
         coordinator_prefix = "vexp-doc-manual"
@@ -234,13 +234,16 @@ def comment_event(data: Dict[str, Any]):
         command = tokens[0]
         args = tokens[1:]
         if command == "build" and is_pull:
-            build(repo, reply_url, html_url, 'patch_id', issue_number, username, False, args)
+            if len(args) >= 1 and args[0] in {"release", "debug"}:
+                build(repo, reply_url, html_url, 'patch_id', args[0], issue_number, username, False, args[1:])
+            else:
+                build(repo, reply_url, html_url, 'patch_id', "release", issue_number, username, False, args)
         elif command == "build-branch" and len(args) >= 1:
-            build(repo, reply_url, html_url, 'override_branch_id', args[0], username, False, args[1:])
+            build(repo, reply_url, html_url, 'override_branch_id', "release", args[0], username, False, args[1:])
         elif command == "package" and is_pull:
-            build(repo, reply_url, html_url, 'patch_id', issue_number, username, True, args)
+            build(repo, reply_url, html_url, 'patch_id', "release", issue_number, username, True, args)
         elif command == "package-branch" and len(args) >= 1:
-            build(repo, reply_url, html_url, 'override_branch_id', args[0], username, True, args[1:])
+            build(repo, reply_url, html_url, 'override_branch_id', "release", args[0], username, True, args[1:])
         elif command == "ping":
             post_comment(reply_url, "pong")
         else: