How to Use JetBrains AI

Getting started with JetBrains AI

After reading this guide, you'll be able to set up JetBrains AI in your IDE and start using its code completion, chat, and refactoring features effectively.

Step 1: Sign up and set up

1. Visit the JetBrains website and click on the "Get Started" button.
2. Choose your preferred JetBrains IDE (e.g., IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, or WebStorm) and download it.
3. Install the IDE following the on-screen instructions.
4. Launch the IDE and sign in or create a JetBrains account. You will need a subscription, which costs $8.33 per month.
5. Once logged in, navigate to File > Settings (or Preferences on Mac) and ensure that the JetBrains AI plugin is enabled.

Step 2: Your first coding task

1. Open a project or create a new one in your JetBrains IDE.
2. Start typing code in the editor. As you type, JetBrains AI will suggest completions. You can accept a suggestion by pressing Tab or Enter.
3. For coding questions, open the AI chat by clicking on the AI icon in the toolbar (usually located on the right side).
4. Type your question in the chat interface, such as "How do I implement a binary search in Python?" and press Enter to get an answer.

Step 3: Get better results

1. Use context-aware suggestions by ensuring your code comments and variable names are descriptive. This helps JetBrains AI understand your intent better.
2. For refactoring, highlight the code section you want to improve, right-click, and select Refactor > Refactor This. JetBrains AI will suggest improvements.
3. Regularly check for updates to the IDE and AI plugin under Help > Check for Updates to get the latest features.

Pro tip

If you frequently use specific coding patterns, save them as templates in your IDE. JetBrains AI will learn from these patterns and provide more tailored suggestions over time.

Common mistake to avoid

Avoid asking vague questions in the AI chat. Instead of asking "How do I fix this?", provide specific details about the error or code snippet to get more accurate assistance.