JetBrains, the company behind popular development tools like IntelliJ IDEA and the Kotlin programming language, has announced the launch of Junie, a cutting-edge AI coding assistant designed to simplify routine development tasks and improve code quality. Junie, tightly integrated with JetBrains’ ecosystem, is built to help developers create new applications and extend existing projects by understanding context and generating optimized code.
Junie’s capabilities were evaluated on the SWE-Bench Verified benchmark, which tests 500 common developer tasks. The AI assistant achieved a score of 53.6%, which JetBrains acknowledges is not the highest among AI models. The current leader, Programmer O1 by Weights & Biases, holds a score of 64.6%. However, JetBrains believes Junie’s real strength lies in its seamless integration with its IDEs, which allows developers to work more efficiently within familiar workflows.
JetBrains emphasizes that Junie is not designed to replace developers but to enhance their productivity. The company notes that AI-generated code, like human-written code, can have flaws. Junie focuses on improving development processes by assisting with code generation, running inspections, creating tests, and verifying their results. JetBrains aims to position Junie as a tool that not only speeds up development but also sets a higher standard for code quality.
For now, Junie is available only through an early-access program with a waitlist. The service supports Linux and Mac platforms and is integrated into IntelliJ IDEA Ultimate and PyCharm Professional, with plans to extend support to WebStorm soon.
Junie stands out with its ability to analyze project context and assist developers in tackling repetitive and complex tasks. By integrating with JetBrains’ IDEs, it ensures a smooth and efficient workflow. The assistant can generate boilerplate code, suggest optimizations, and provide actionable insights to help developers enhance their projects. Additionally, Junie’s testing and inspection capabilities allow it to identify potential issues, generate test cases, and ensure the reliability of newly written code.
While the tool’s SWE-Bench score is below the current leaders, JetBrains believes that Junie’s tight integration with its tools offers a unique advantage over standalone AI solutions. Developers can leverage Junie without disrupting their workflows, making it a practical choice for professionals who rely on JetBrains’ ecosystem.
The initial rollout of Junie is limited in scope, supporting only Linux and Mac platforms and select JetBrains IDEs. However, the company has plans to expand its availability and introduce support for additional platforms in the future. This approach reflects JetBrains’ commitment to providing a robust and user-friendly AI solution tailored to its developer community.
JetBrains’ launch of Junie highlights the growing trend of integrating AI into software development. By offering a tool that blends AI capabilities with the company’s trusted IDEs, JetBrains is providing developers with a powerful assistant that enhances productivity and improves the quality of their work. With its focus on maintaining developer control while leveraging AI, Junie represents a significant step forward in the evolution of software development tools.
As the early-access program progresses and Junie becomes available to a wider audience, it is likely to establish itself as an essential tool for developers seeking to streamline their workflows and achieve greater efficiency. JetBrains’ dedication to innovation and its commitment to improving the development experience make Junie a promising addition to its suite of products.