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JetbrainsIgor KulakovAnnouncement
Your Next Action Is Two Dots Away
Summary
IntelliJ IDEA’s command completion, triggered by typing .. in the editor, provides context-aware access to IDE functionality without memorizing shortcuts or navigating menus. The feature analyzes the syntax tree, scope, and caret position to present only relevant actions. In the 2026.3 EAP, logpoints are now accessible through command completion, and the IDE can suggest replacing print statements with logpoints. AI actions such as explaining code, generating docstrings, and refactoring are also available through the same .. workflow. Postfix completion and live templates now share a consistent interface with command completion, and support extends to binary files, decompiled code, properties files, and Spring workflows.
Context
Modern IDEs offer extensive functionality, but discoverability is a constant challenge because users must remember shortcuts, menus, or tool windows. Command completion addresses this by providing a single, editor-based entry point that answers “What can I do here?” rather than “What can I type here?”
Approach / What changed
Command completion is triggered by typing .. anywhere in a file, which surfaces context-aware actions based on the syntax tree, scope, inspection state, and caret position. The feature now includes logpoint creation, in-context AI assistance, and unified postfix completion and live templates. It also works in binary files, decompiled code, properties files, and Spring workflows.
Takeaways
Command completion is triggered by typing .. in the editor and surfaces actions based on the current syntax tree, scope, and caret position.
Logpoints can be created instantly via command completion by typing .. over an expression or block, and the IDE can suggest replacing existing print statements with logpoints.
Postfix completion, live templates, and command completion now share a unified interface with clearer filtering and preview panels.
FAQ
How do I trigger command completion?
Type .. anywhere in a file. The IDE analyzes your syntax tree, scope, and caret position to present only relevant actions such as refactoring, navigation, generation, documentation, explanation, or code fixes.
Can I create logpoints through command completion?
Yes. Type .. over an expression or block to drop a logpoint instantly using the current expression as the logged value. The IDE can also suggest replacing existing print statements with logpoints.
Does command completion support AI actions?
Yes. You can trigger AI actions like explaining a method, generating docstrings, or refactoring without switching tools. The IDE provides the active file, language, line number, and selected expression as context to the agent.
Source and freshness
- Source
- blog.jetbrains.com
- Published
- Added to Yomu
Summaries are generated from the original by a language model. Check the original before relying on it.
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