Integrating Coding Agents into JetBrains IDEs with Air
Streamline your development workflow by managing multiple AI coding agents directly within JetBrains environments.
1Unified Agent Management
JetBrains introduced Air to centralize coding agent interactions within the IDE. Instead of switching contexts, developers can now manage various agent sessions, track progress, and review code changes directly in their workspace. This integration supports existing JetBrains tools, ensuring that agent-driven tasks remain visible and manageable throughout the entire development lifecycle.
2Installation and Compatibility
Air is available as a plugin via the JetBrains Marketplace and is built into the 2026.3 EAP release. If you currently use AI Assistant, installing Air will disable it to prevent conflicts. You can toggle between them using the Actions menu or the Agent Sessions tool window to maintain your preferred workflow.
3Supported Agent Ecosystem
The platform detects locally installed agents and supports integrations like Codex, Gemini, GitHub Copilot, Claude Agent, and Junie. Connectivity is facilitated through the Agent Client Protocol. While a JetBrains AI subscription covers most agents, Claude Agent allows terminal usage via your existing Claude subscription, providing flexibility for developers with specific model preferences.
4Data Privacy and Control
Installing Air does not automatically activate agents or transmit project code to AI providers. You maintain full control over which agents connect to your environment. When using third-party agents, data is governed by your existing agreements with those providers, while JetBrains AI terms apply only when utilizing JetBrains-specific AI services.
5Initiating Agent Sessions
To start a session, use the shortcut Cmd+2 on macOS or Alt+2 on Windows and Linux. You can provide context by attaching specific files or selecting code snippets. Providing a focused request helps agents explore project segments, investigate bugs, or implement features more effectively, ensuring the output aligns with your requirements.
6Parallel Session Tracking
Air allows you to run multiple agent sessions simultaneously, which appear as tabs within the editor. This enables you to monitor progress on different tasks, such as exploring unfamiliar code or implementing changes, without interrupting your own coding flow. You can also view session-level cost estimates to track model usage impact.
7Reviewing Agent Output
Once an agent completes a task, you can inspect diffs, navigate related code, and run tests using standard IDE tools. If the result requires adjustments, you can provide feedback directly on the diff. This iterative process ensures that delegated work meets your standards before you accept and integrate the changes.
8Future Workflow Advancements
Users can currently test Junie in Lite mode without a paid subscription by signing in with a JetBrains Account. Future installments of this series will cover advanced workflows, including the use of worktrees, code notes, and automated commit message generation, further enhancing the efficiency of AI-assisted development within the JetBrains ecosystem.
Original article: The JetBrains Blog — Integrating Coding Agents into JetBrains IDEs with Air