diff --git a/handlers.lua b/handlers.lua
index 02399bd..3e62902 100644
--- a/handlers.lua
+++ b/handlers.lua
@@ -180,10 +180,12 @@ function handlers.handleGDOTransmission(eventType, side, frequency, idc, matches
     state.lastGDOCode = idc
     state.lastGDOMatches = matches
     utils.log("GDO transmission received: IDC=" .. tostring(idc) .. ", matches=" .. tostring(matches))
+    utils.debug("GDO received: IDC=" .. tostring(idc) .. ", matches=" .. tostring(matches))
 
     -- If matches configured IDC and gate is connected, open iris
     if matches and gate.isStargateConnected() and config.irisEnabled then
         utils.log("Valid GDO code received - opening iris")
+        utils.debug("Valid GDO - opening iris")
         utils.openIris()
     end
 
diff --git a/startup.lua b/startup.lua
index fb2ad48..2c8a16b 100644
--- a/startup.lua
+++ b/startup.lua
@@ -144,7 +144,7 @@ else
 end
 
 -- Initialize modules
-utils.init(config, gate)
+utils.init(config, gate, chatBox)
 display.init(mon, config, addresses, utils, localGateAddress)
 handlers.init(config, gate, mon, utils, display, events)
 
@@ -159,13 +159,6 @@ if transceiver and config.enableGDO and config.irisPassword then
     end
 end
 
--- Helper function for chatbox debugging
-local function debugChat(message)
-    if config.enableChatboxDebug and chatBox then
-        chatBox.sendMessageToPlayer("[SGC] " .. message, config.chatboxDebugPlayer)
-    end
-end
-
 -- Ensure gate starts disconnected
 gate.disconnectStargate()
 
@@ -263,12 +256,12 @@ local function HandleIncomingPasswordRequest(password)
         utils.log("Correct password received, opening iris")
         utils.openIris()
         utils.sendPasswordResponse(true)
-        debugChat("Sent: IRIS_OPEN")
+        utils.debug("Sent: IRIS_OPEN")
         return true
     else
         utils.log("Incorrect password received")
         utils.sendPasswordResponse(false)
-        debugChat("Sent: IRIS_DENIED")
+        utils.debug("Sent: IRIS_DENIED")
         return false
     end
 end
@@ -469,7 +462,7 @@ local function handleIncomingWormhole()
     -- Send version message to remote gate
     sleep(0.5) -- Brief delay to ensure connection is stable
     utils.sendVersionMessage()
-    debugChat("Sent: SGCS_V" .. config.programVersion)
+    utils.debug("Sent: SGCS_V" .. config.programVersion)
 
     -- Handle iris
     if config.autoCloseIrisOnIncoming then
@@ -483,7 +476,7 @@ local function handleIncomingWormhole()
             -- Send password request if iris is closed and password system is enabled
             if config.irisPassword and config.enableMessaging then
                 utils.sendPasswordRequest()
-                debugChat("Sent: IRIS_PASSWORD_REQUIRED")
+                utils.debug("Sent: IRIS_PASSWORD_REQUIRED")
             end
         end
     end
@@ -507,7 +500,7 @@ local function handleIncomingWormhole()
         elseif (result == 3) then
             -- Received a message
             local message = state.lastReceivedMessage
-            debugChat("Received: " .. tostring(message))
+            utils.debug("Received: " .. tostring(message))
 
             -- Check if it's a password attempt (don't log passwords in plaintext)
             if message:sub(1, 14) == "IRIS_PASSWORD:" then
@@ -748,7 +741,7 @@ local function handleOutgoingDial()
                 -- DEBUG: Print all messages received
                 print("DEBUG: Message received: " .. tostring(message))
                 utils.log("DEBUG: Message received: " .. tostring(message))
-                debugChat("Received: " .. tostring(message))
+                utils.debug("Received: " .. tostring(message))
 
                 if message and message:sub(1, 6) == "SGCS_V" then
                     state.remoteHasComputer = true
@@ -807,7 +800,7 @@ local function handleOutgoingDial()
 
                 local password = HandlePasswordEntry()
                 utils.sendPasswordAttempt(password)
-                debugChat("Sent: IRIS_PASSWORD:" .. password)
+                utils.debug("Sent: IRIS_PASSWORD:" .. password)
 
                 -- Wait for response
                 local function WaitForResponse()
diff --git a/utils.lua b/utils.lua
index 1facbdb..8d6b58c 100644
--- a/utils.lua
+++ b/utils.lua
@@ -8,10 +8,12 @@ local utils = {}
 -- Import config (set by startup.lua)
 local config
 local gate
+local chatBox
 
-function utils.init(cfg, gateInterface)
+function utils.init(cfg, gateInterface, chatBoxPeripheral)
     config = cfg
     gate = gateInterface
+    chatBox = chatBoxPeripheral
 end
 
 ---------------------------------------------
@@ -35,6 +37,27 @@ function utils.log(message)
     end
 end
 
+function utils.debug(message)
+    -- Log to debug log file
+    local timestamp = os.date("%Y-%m-%d %H:%M:%S")
+    local logEntry = "[" .. timestamp .. "] " .. message
+
+    -- Write to console
+    print("DEBUG: " .. message)
+
+    -- Write to debug log file
+    local file = fs.open("gate_debug.log", "a")
+    if file then
+        file.writeLine(logEntry)
+        file.close()
+    end
+
+    -- Send to chatbox if enabled
+    if config.enableChatboxDebug and chatBox then
+        chatBox.sendMessageToPlayer("[SGC] " .. message, config.chatboxDebugPlayer)
+    end
+end
+
 ---------------------------------------------
 -- ADDRESS UTILITIES
 ---------------------------------------------