JetBrains brings IntelliJ code analysis to Cursor and VS Code

Software developer JetBrains released the stable version 1.0 of its Java and Kotlin development extension on October 20, 2026, officially bringing core code analysis, autocompletion, refactoring, and debugging features from its flagship IDE, IntelliJ IDEA, into third-party editors like Cursor and Visual Studio Code. The extension uses the Language Server Protocol (LSP) to analyze projects in the background, allowing developers to find definitions, track references, or perform safe renames without leaving their current editor.

Beyond standard operations for human developers, JetBrains has partnered with Cursor to allow its AI agents to utilize certain code check results from IntelliJ IDEA. For instance, the AI can identify potential null pointer issues or Spring framework-related errors, providing more accurate context when assisting with code modifications. However, enabling AI agents to directly call the language server in real-time during coding remains a plan for future versions.

The extension is currently available via the Visual Studio Marketplace and Open VSX. Due to overlapping functionalities with Java extensions provided by Red Hat and Oracle, JetBrains recommends disabling those plugins to avoid conflicts. Commercially, version 1.0 ends the free preview period, offering a 30-day trial after which an IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate subscription is required. JetBrains stated that licensing models for fully autonomous use by AI agents are still being developed.