# Get started with REST development

> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://www.jetbrains.com/help/idea/2026.3/llms.txt).

At the IntelliJ IDEA level, the RESTful Web Services development support is based on the Jakarta EE: RESTful Web Services (JAX-RS) [plugin](managing-plugins.html). This plugin is bundled with IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate and enabled by default.

Procedure: Make sure that the RESTful Web Services plugin is enabled

1. In the Settings dialog (`Ctrl+Alt+S` (Windows), `⌘ Comma` (macOS), `⌘ Comma` (IntelliJ IDEA Classic (macOS)), `⌘ Comma` (macOS System Shortcuts), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (XWin), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (GNOME), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (KDE), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Emacs), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Sublime Text), `⌘ Comma` (Sublime Text (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Visual Studio), `⌘ Comma` (Visual Studio (macOS)), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (NetBeans), `Ctrl+Alt+S` (Eclipse), `⌘ Comma` (Eclipse (macOS))), select Plugins.

2. Make sure that the Jakarta EE: RESTful Web Services (JAX-RS) plugin is enabled.

3. Apply the changes and close the dialog.  Restart the IDE if prompted.

Procedure: Create a new Jakarta EE project with JAX-RS

1. Open the New Project wizard:

* If you are on the Home screen, select `![Plus sign](https://resources.jetbrains.com/help/img/idea/2026.3/intellij.platform.icons.expui.general.add.svg) New | ![Folder icon](https://resources.jetbrains.com/help/img/idea/2026.3/intellij.platform.icons.expui.nodes.folder.svg) Project…`.

* If you have another project open, go to `File | New | Project`.

2. From the Generators list on the left, select ![Jakarta EE logo](https://resources.jetbrains.com/help/img/idea/2026.3/intellij.java.ultimate.icons.icons.javaee.newui.jakartaEE.svg) Jakarta EE.

![First step of the Jakarta EE project wizard](https://resources.jetbrains.com/help/img/idea/2026.3/jakarta_new_project_step1_rest.png)

3. Select the REST service template and set up the rest of the

[Jakarta EE project settings](new-project-wizard.html#java-ee).

When you are ready, click Next.

4. From the Version drop-down list, select

the Jakarta EE version you want to use.

5. (Optional) From the Dependencies list, select additional specifications or implementations you want to include in your project.

Because of the REST service template, some specifications are already selected.

6. Click Create.

For more information about creating Jakarta EE projects, such as how to set up an application server, refer to [Tutorial: Your first Jakarta EE application](creating-and-running-your-first-jakarta-ee-application.html).

Procedure: Add JAX-RS to an existing project

1. Open the build file in the editor (`pom.xml` or `build.gradle` depending on the [build tool](build-tools.html) used in your project).

2. Add the JAX-RS library, and make sure its version matches the rest of your project:

Maven:

Jakarta EE
: ```XML
: <dependency>
: <groupId>jakarta.ws.rs</groupId>
: <artifactId>jakarta.ws.rs-api</artifactId>
: <version>4.0.0</version>
: </dependency>
: ```

Java EE
: ```XML
: <dependency>
: <groupId>javax.ws.rs</groupId>
: <artifactId>javax.ws.rs-api</artifactId>
: <version>2.1.1</version>
: </dependency>
: ```

Gradle (Groovy):

Jakarta EE
: ```GROOVY
: implementation 'jakarta.ws.rs:jakarta.ws.rs-api:4.0.0'
: ```

Java EE
: ```GROOVY
: implementation 'javax.ws.rs:javax.ws.rs-api:2.1.1'
: ```

Gradle (Kotlin):

Jakarta EE
: ```KOTLIN
: implementation("jakarta.ws.rs:jakarta.ws.rs-api:4.0.0")
: ```

Java EE
: ```KOTLIN
: implementation("javax.ws.rs:javax.ws.rs-api:2.1.1")
: ```

3. Press `Ctrl+Shift+O` (Windows), `Ctrl+Shift+O` (macOS), `Ctrl+Shift+O` (IntelliJ IDEA Classic (macOS)), `Ctrl+Shift+O` (macOS System Shortcuts), `Ctrl+Shift+O` (XWin), `Ctrl+Shift+O` (GNOME), `Ctrl+Shift+O` (KDE), `Ctrl+Shift+O` (Emacs), `Ctrl+Shift+O` (Sublime Text), `Ctrl+Shift+O` (Sublime Text (macOS)), `Ctrl+Shift+O` (Visual Studio), `Ctrl+Shift+O` (Visual Studio (macOS)), `Ctrl+Shift+O` (NetBeans), `Ctrl+Shift+O` (Eclipse), `Ctrl+Shift+O` (Eclipse (macOS)) to import the changes.

For more information about working with build tools, refer to [Maven](maven-support.html) or [Gradle](gradle.html).

## See also

### Procedures

[Enable web service development](preparing-to-develop-a-web-service.html) [RESTful web services](restful-webservices.html)  [Jakarta EE](java-ee.html)

### Reference

[Web Services Reference](web-services-reference.html) [Web services facet page](web-services-facet-page.html) [Artifacts reference](artifacts.html)