JetBrains AI Assistant

JetBrains AI Assistant is an intelligent coding assistant integrated into all JetBrains IDEs with comprehensive Model Context Protocol (MCP) support. Starting with version 2025.1, it works as an MCP client, and from version 2025.2, it also functions as an MCP server, enabling bidirectional integration with the MCP ecosystem.

Why Use JetBrains AI Assistant with MCP?

JetBrains AI Assistant with MCP support provides:

• Dual MCP Support: Act as both MCP client (connect to servers) and MCP server (expose IDE tools)
• 25+ Built-in IDE Tools: File operations, code analysis, refactoring, terminal access, and more
• Deep IDE Integration: Leverage IDE intelligence for context-aware code manipulation
• Claude Agent Integration: Use Anthropic's Claude Agent with your JetBrains license
• Cross-Platform Support: Available in all IntelliJ-based IDEs including Android Studio

MCP Client Mode

Connect AI Assistant to external MCP servers to extend its capabilities:

Connecting to MCP Servers

1. Navigate to Settings > Tools > AI Assistant > Model Context Protocol (MCP)
2. Click Add to create a new server configuration
3. Choose configuration method:
   • Command-based: Enter server details directly
   • JSON-based: Paste MCP configuration snippet
   • Import from Claude: Import existing Claude Desktop configurations

Example: Connect to Perplexity for Web Search

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "perplexity": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "perplexity-mcp"],
      "env": {
        "PERPLEXITY_API_KEY": "your_key_here"
      }
    }
  }
}

This gives AI Assistant real-time web search capabilities powered by Perplexity's Sonar models.

Example: Connect to Database Server

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "postgres": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "@modelcontextprotocol/server-postgres"],
      "env": {
        "POSTGRES_CONNECTION_STRING": "postgresql://localhost/mydb"
      }
    }
  }
}

AI Assistant can now describe your database schema and help write queries.

MCP Server Mode

Starting with version 2025.2, expose your IDE's powerful tools to external MCP clients like Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code, and Windsurf.

Enabling IDE as MCP Server

1. Go to Settings > Tools > MCP Server
2. Click Enable MCP Server
3. For supported clients (Claude Desktop, Cursor, VS Code, Windsurf):
   • Click Auto-Configure next to the client name
   • Restart the external client
4. For other clients:
   • Copy the SSE or Stdio configuration
   • Paste into the client's MCP configuration file

Available IDE Tools (25+)

The IDE MCP server exposes powerful tools across several categories:

| Category | Tools | Description | |----------|-------|-------------| | Project | get_run_configurations, execute_run_configuration, get_project_dependencies, get_project_modules | Manage project structure and execution | | Files | create_new_file, get_file_text_by_path, replace_text_in_file, reformat_file | File operations with IDE formatting | | Search | find_files_by_glob, find_files_by_name_keyword, search_in_files_by_text, search_in_files_by_regex | Powerful project-wide search | | Analysis | get_file_problems, get_symbol_info, list_directory_tree | Code inspection and navigation | | Refactoring | rename_refactoring | Context-aware symbol renaming | | IDE | open_file_in_editor, execute_terminal_command, get_repositories | IDE control and terminal access |

Brave Mode

Enable "Run shell commands without confirmation (brave mode)" to allow external clients to execute terminal commands and run configurations without prompts. Use with appropriate caution in trusted environments.

Supported IDEs

JetBrains AI Assistant MCP support is available in all IntelliJ-based IDEs:

| IDE | MCP Client (2025.1+) | MCP Server (2025.2+) | |-----|---------------------|---------------------| | IntelliJ IDEA | Community & Ultimate | Community & Ultimate | | PyCharm | Community & Professional | Community & Professional | | WebStorm | Supported | Supported | | PhpStorm | Supported | Supported | | GoLand | Supported | Supported | | Rider | Supported | Supported | | CLion | Supported | Supported | | RubyMine | Supported | Supported | | Android Studio | Supported | Supported |

Claude Agent Integration

JetBrains AI Assistant includes Claude Agent integration, combining:

• Claude's powerful reasoning capabilities
• JetBrains MCP Server's IDE tools
• Your existing JetBrains AI license (no separate Anthropic account needed)

This enables Claude Agent to:

• Navigate and analyze your codebase
• Create and modify files through the IDE
• Run tests and build configurations
• Perform context-aware refactoring

Configuration Examples

Docker-Based MCP Server

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "filesystem": {
      "command": "docker",
      "args": [
        "run", "-i", "--rm",
        "--mount", "type=bind,src=/Users/dev/projects,dst=/projects",
        "mcp/filesystem", "/projects"
      ]
    }
  }
}

Remote MCP Server (via Proxy)

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "microsoft-docs": {
      "command": "npx",
      "args": ["-y", "mcp-remote@latest", "https://learn.microsoft.com/api/mcp"]
    }
  }
}

Debugging and Logs

Access MCP server logs for troubleshooting:

• Windows: Help > Show Log in Explorer, then navigate to mcp folder
• macOS: Help > Show Log in Finder, then navigate to mcp folder
• Linux: Help > Show Log in Files, then navigate to mcp folder

Technical Constraints

• Only files within project directories can be analyzed
• Line and column numbers are 1-based
• Binary files cannot be read with get_file_text_by_path
• Terminal output limited to 2000 lines with truncation
• find_files_by_name_keyword searches file names only, not paths

Resources

• JetBrains AI Assistant Documentation
• MCP Configuration Guide
• IntelliJ IDEA MCP Blog Post
• JetBrains MCP Server GitHub