IntelliJ IDEA overview

JVM languages

Use IntelliJ IDEA to develop applications in the following languages that can be compiled into the JVM bytecode, namely:

• Java

• Kotlin

• Scala

• Groovy

Other languages

Plugins add support for some of the most popular languages, namely:

• Python (full PyCharm functionality)

• Ruby (full RubyMine functionality)

• PHP (full PhpStorm functionality)

• SQL (full DataGrip functionality)

• Go (full GoLand functionality)

• JavaScript (full WebStorm functionality)

• C/C++ (full CLion functionality)

• TypeScript (full WebStorm functionality)

• Thymeleaf

• JSON

• Markdown

• HTML

• XML and XSL

• XPath and XSLT

• Velocity and FreeMarker

• Stylesheets (CSS, Less, Sass)

You can browse JetBrains Marketplace to find an official plugin that adds support for almost any language, framework or technology used today, or for third-party plugins. For more information about managing plugins, refer to Plugins.

Do I need a language plugin for IntelliJ IDEA or a separate IDE?

IntelliJ IDEA is a superset of most IntelliJ platform-based IDEs. If the bundled language plugins are enabled, it includes support for all technologies that are available within our more specific IDEs, such as PyCharm, WebStorm, PhpStorm, and so on.

So, for example, if your application's codebase is mainly in Java but it also uses Python scripts, we recommend using IntelliJ IDEA in combination with the bundled Python plugin. If your codebase is mainly in Python, PyCharm is the right IDE for you.

Spring

Develop Spring applications with dedicated coding assistance for Spring and Spring Boot. IntelliJ IDEA provides Spring-aware code completion, inspections, navigation, project generation, diagrams, and tools for running and debugging your applications. Learn more from Spring.

JakartaEE

Build enterprise Java applications with support for Jakarta EE . IntelliJ IDEA provides coding assistance, navigation, dedicated project creation, application server integration, and support for specifications such as CDI, JPA, JAX-RS, Servlets, and JSP. Learn more from Jakarta EE.

Other frameworks

IntelliJ IDEA supports a wide range of frameworks and technologies beyond Java and Kotlin. You can work with web technologies, popular JavaScript and TypeScript frameworks, Markdown, databases, build tools, and many more.

Learn more from:

• Web development

• Database Tools and SQL

• Non-JVM technologies

Search and navigate

Press Double Shift to open Search Everywhere, then start typing. IntelliJ IDEA searches across all files, classes, symbols, and IDE actions in your project:

Common navigation tasks:

For more details, refer to Source code navigation.

View code structure

Press Ctrl+F12 to see an overview of all declarations in the current file and jump to any of them. Alternatively, use the Structure tool window (Alt+7):

Access recent files and edits

Normally, you work with a small subset of files at a time and need to switch between them quickly. The Recent Files action is a real time-saver here. Press Ctrl+E to see a list of last accessed files. Note that you can also use this action to open any tool window:

Apart from jumping to a recent file, you can also get quick access to Recent Locations: the code snippets you last viewed or edited. Press Ctrl+Shift+E and you'll be able to jump to a particular line you modified lately:

Edit and complete code

IntelliJ IDEA provides inline code completion, templates, and other editing aids to speed up typing. For more information, refer to Code completion and Live templates.

Inspect and fix problems

As you write or generate code, IntelliJ IDEA continuously analyzes it to find potential bugs, dead code, performance issues, and style problems. When it detects an issue, it shows a light bulb icon. Press Alt+Enter to see quick-fixes and intention actions:

Quick-fixes resolve problems across your project. Intention actions help you apply transformations like extracting code, adding annotations, or converting syntax. Learn more from Code inspections and Intention actions.

Refactor safely

Use refactorings to restructure code while maintaining correctness. Press Ctrl+Alt+Shift+T to see available refactorings for your current context:

IntelliJ IDEA automatically updates all references across your project when you refactor. Learn more from Refactoring code.

Common refactoring shortcuts:

Delegate larger changes to an agent

For complex refactoring tasks, describe the outcome and let an agent implement the change across your codebase. You can review and continue editing the result manually afterward.

Debug a problem yourself

IntelliJ IDEA provides a built-in JVM debugger that lets you get and analyze runtime information without running code with manual logging or trial-and-error approaches.

You can:

• Suspend the program execution to examine its behavior using breakpoints. Multiple types of breakpoints, together with conditions and filters, allow you to specify the exact moment when an application needs to be paused.

• Play with the program state by modifying variable values, evaluate expressions, and so on.

• Examine variable values, call stacks, thread states, and so on.

• Control the step-by-step execution of the program.

Refer to Tutorial: Debug your first Java application to learn the basics of debugging and play with the debugger features in the IDE.

Let an agent investigate

For complex runtime issues, describe the problem in natural language and let an agent use the debugger to investigate. The agent can set breakpoints, step through code, and collect runtime evidence without manual intervention.

This approach is especially useful when source code and logs alone do not reveal the problem. Learn more from Agentic debugging.

Run tests

Write tests in the IDE and run them to verify your code works as expected. For more information, refer to Create tests.

Review changes with version control

IntelliJ IDEA provides integration with Git, Mercurial, Perforce, and Subversion.

You can:

• Review the history and compare file versions

• Manage branches and handle GitHub pull requests

• Access all VCS actions via Alt+`

For more information, refer to Version control.

Restore or revert changes

Local History keeps track of all edits to your project automatically. If you need to restore code that was deleted or changed, use Local History to browse your full revision history and restore any point in time:

Even without version control enabled, Local History acts as your personal version control system.

Choose your agent

IntelliJ IDEA supports agents through the Agent Client Protocol (ACP). Agents available in IntelliJ IDEA include Junie, Claude Agent, and Codex. You can also bring your own ACP-compatible agent. Learn more from Browse, install, and update agents (Air documentation).

Extend agent capabilities

Agents can be extended with Agent Skills and Model Context Protocol (MCP) integrations. Skills provide reusable instructions for specific tasks. IntelliJ IDEA includes bundled skills. For example, ij-debugger allows agents to investigate runtime problems.

For details, refer to MCP and agent skills.

Configure AI providers

IntelliJ IDEA allows you to configure API keys or endpoints for third-party AI providers. This means your AI setup is not limited to a single agent, model, or built-in capability. Learn more from Configure agent authorization (Air documentation).

Terminal

IntelliJ IDEA includes a built-in terminal for running shell commands from inside the IDE. It supports your system's default shell and others like bash and sh.

Build tools

IntelliJ IDEA provides full support for Gradle and Maven. When you open or create a Gradle or Maven project, IntelliJ IDEA automatically detects and downloads required dependencies. You can edit build files directly and configure automatic synchronization. For more information, refer to Gradle and Maven.

The Early Access program

IntelliJ IDEAis available for free within the Early Access Program (EAP). EAP builds are published before the release of a stable product version, and you can download them to try out the new features before they are publicly available in return for your feedback. EAP builds are configured to collect feature usage statistics and are a valuable source of information for our developers. You can also report an issue if you encounter any problems.