Create a new project

Launch IntelliJ IDEA.

If the Welcome screen opens, click New Project.

Otherwise, from the main menu, select File | New | Project.
From the list on the left, select the framework that you want to use in your application.
If suggested, configure the project SDK. To develop Java-based applications, you need a JDK (Java Development Kit).

If the necessary JDK is already defined in IntelliJ IDEA, select it from the Project SDK list.

If the JDK is installed on your computer, but not defined in the IDE, select Add JDK and specify the path to the JDK home directory (for example, /Library/Java/JavaVirtualMachines/jdk-12.0.1.jdk).

If you don't have the necessary JDK on your computer, select Download JDK. In the next dialog, specify the JDK vendor, version, and change the installation path if required.

Some frameworks require their own SDKs in addition to the JDK, for example, Android or Grails.
Other options differ depending on the framework that you have selected. Refer to the list below for the detailed description of options for each framework.

Java

Additional Libraries and Frameworks

Select the technologies, frameworks and languages that you want your project to support, and specify the associated settings.

Create project from template Create a simple Java application that includes a class with main() method.

Project name	Specify the project name.
Project location	Specify the path to the directory in which you want to create the project. By default, the IDE creates a directory with the same name as the project.
Module name	Specify the module name. By default, the project name is used. For more information on modules and the difference between projects and modules, refer to Configure projects and Modules.
Content root	Specify the path to the module content root folder (the folder that stores your source code). It's recommended that you use the default path.
Module file location	Specify the path to the folder where the .iml module file should be created. By default, this file is created in the module content root folder (recommended).
Project format	It's recommended that you use the directory-based format.

Maven

Create from archetype

Select this checkbox if you want to use a predefined project template for your project. You can configure your own archetype by clicking Add Archetype.

Name	Specify the project name.
Location	Specify the path to the directory in which you want to create the project. By default, the IDE creates a directory with the same name as the project.
GroupId	Specify a package of a new project.
ArtifactId	Specify the name of your project.
Version	Specify a version of a new project. By default, this field is specified automatically.

Maven home directory	Select a bundled Maven version that is available or the result of resolved system variables such as `MAVEN_HOME` or `MAVEN2_HOME`. You can also specify your own Maven version that is installed on your machine.
User settings file	Specify the file that contains user-specific configuration for Maven in the text field. If you need to specify another file, select the Override checkbox, click , and select another file.
Local repository	By default, this field shows the path to the local directory under the user home that stores downloads and contains the temporary build artifacts that you have not yet released. If you need to specify another directory, select the Override checkbox, click , and select another directory.
Properties	By default, the columns in this area display system properties that are passed to Maven for creating a project from the archetype. You can add, remove, and edit these properties.

Gradle

Kotlin DSL build script	Select this checkbox if you want to use the script.
Additional Libraries and Frameworks	Select the technologies, frameworks and languages that you want your project to support, and specify the associated settings.

Name	Specify the project name.
Location	Specify the path to the directory in which you want to create the project. By default, the IDE creates a directory with the same name as the project.
GroupId	Specify `groupId` of the new project. You can omit this field if you plan to deploy your project locally.
ArtifactId	Specify `artifactId` that is added as a name of your new project.
Version	Specify `version` of the new project. By default, this field is filled in automatically.

Android

Select the type of project you want to create from categories of device form factors that are shown as tabs at the top of the wizard.

Name	Specify the name for your project.
Package name	Specify the package name. By default, this package name also becomes your application ID. If necessary, you will be able to change it later.
Save location	Use this field to specify the location of your project.
Language	Select the Language you want to use for creating sample code for your new project.
Minimum SDK	Select the minimum API level that you want to use in the project. If you are not sure which level to select, click the Help me choose link in the dialog.
This project will support instant apps	Select the checkbox if your project supports instant experiences though Google Play Instant, and you want to enable it for your application.

IntelliJ Platform Plugin

Project SDK	Select the SDK that you want to use for developing your plugin.
Additional Libraries and Frameworks	Select the technologies, frameworks and languages that you want your project to support, and specify the associated settings.

Project name	Specify the project name.
Project location	Specify the path to the directory in which you want to create the project. By default, the IDE creates a directory with the same name as the project.
Module name	Specify the module name. By default, the project name is used. For more information on modules and the difference between projects and modules, refer to Configure projects and Modules.
Content root	Specify the path to the module content root folder (the folder that stores your source code). It's recommended that you use the default path.
Module file location	Specify the path to the folder where the .iml module file should be created. By default, this file is created in the module content root folder (recommended).
Project format	It's recommended that you use the directory-based format.

JavaFX

Name	Specify the project name.
Location	Specify the path to the directory in which you want to create the project. By default, the IDE creates a directory with the same name as the project.
Language	Select a language: Java, Kotlin, or Groovy.
Build system	Select the build tool that will be used for managing dependencies, testing, packaging, automating the build process, and so on.
Test framework	Select a test framework: JUnit or TestNG.
Group	Specify the name of the package that will be created together with the project (for example, `com.example`).
Artifact	Name of the artifact within a group, usually the project's name.
Project SDK	From the Project SDK list, select the JDK that you want to use in your project. If the JDK is installed on your computer, but not defined in the IDE, select Add JDK and specify the path to the JDK home directory. If you don't have the necessary JDK on your computer, select Download JDK.

Select the libraries that you want to use in your application.

Java Enterprise

Name	Specify the project name.
Location	Specify the path to the directory in which you want to create the project. By default, the IDE creates a directory with the same name as the project.
Project template	Select a template for your application. IntelliJ IDEA will pre-configure your project accordingly.
Application server	Specify the application server that you want to use in this application. IntelliJ IDEA provides integration with various application servers, enabling you to start and stop local servers, connect to running remote servers, and deploy your artifacts on those servers.
Build system	Select the build tool that will be used for managing dependencies, testing, packaging, automating the build process, and so on.
Test framework	Select a test framework: JUnit or TestNG.
Language	Select a language: Java, Kotlin, or Groovy.
Group	Specify the name of the package that will be created together with the project (for example, `com.example`).
Artifact	Name of the artifact within a group, usually the project's name.
Project SDK	From the Project SDK list, select the JDK that you want to use in your project. If the JDK is installed on your computer, but not defined in the IDE, select Add JDK and specify the path to the JDK home directory. If you don't have the necessary JDK on your computer, select Download JDK.

Version	Select the Java EE version that you want to use.
Dependencies	Select the technologies, frameworks and languages that you want your project to support.

Spring Initializr

Server URL	Specify the Spring Initializr instance URL. By default, the https://start.spring.io instance is specified, but you can use any other custom instance.
Name	Specify the project name.
Location	Specify the path to the directory in which you want to create the project. By default, the IDE creates a directory with the same name as the project.
Language	Select a language: Java, Kotlin, or Groovy.
Type	Select the build tool that will be used for managing dependencies, testing, packaging, automating the build process, and so on.
Group	Specify the name of the package that will be created together with the project (for example, `com.example`).
Artifact	Name of the artifact within a group, usually the project's name.
Project SDK	From the Project SDK list, select the JDK that you want to use in your project. If the JDK is installed on your computer, but not defined in the IDE, select Add JDK and specify the path to the JDK home directory. If you don't have the necessary JDK on your computer, select Download JDK.
Java	If you want to build your project on a Java version different from your project JDK version, you can select it here.
Packaging	Select a packaging option: Jar or War.

Spring Boot	Select a Spring Boot version.
Download pre-built shared indexes for JDK and Maven libraries	Enable this option to allow IntelliJ IDEA to download indexes for JDK and Maven libraries silently whenever they are needed. For more information, refer to Shared indexes.
Dependencies	Select starters and dependencies. If you select technologies that require additional plugins, the IDE will notify you about it once the project is created, and will suggest installing or enabling them.

Quarkus

Name	Specify the project name.
Location	Specify the path to the directory in which you want to create the project. By default, the IDE creates a directory with the same name as the project.
Language	Select a language: Java, Kotlin, or Groovy.
Build system	Select the build tool that will be used for managing dependencies, testing, packaging, automating the build process, and so on.
Group	Specify the name of the package that will be created together with the project (for example, `com.example`).
Artifact	Name of the artifact within a group, usually the project's name.
Project SDK	From the Project SDK list, select the JDK that you want to use in your project. If the JDK is installed on your computer, but not defined in the IDE, select Add JDK and specify the path to the JDK home directory. If you don't have the necessary JDK on your computer, select Download JDK.
Example code	Create a code sample together with the project.

Select extensions that you want to use in your project. If you select technologies that require additional plugins, the IDE will notify you about it once the project is created, and will suggest installing or enabling them.

Selecting extensions for the new Quarkus project

For more information, refer to Quarkus.

Micronaut

Server URL	Specify the URL of the starter service that you want to use in your application. By default, the https://micronaut.io/launch/ instance is specified, but you can use another custom service.
Name	Specify the project name.
Location	Specify the path to the directory in which you want to create the project. By default, the IDE creates a directory with the same name as the project.
Language	Select a language: Java, Kotlin, or Groovy.
Build system	Select the build tool that will be used for managing dependencies, testing, packaging, automating the build process, and so on.
Test framework	Select a test framework: JUnit or TestNG.
Group	Specify the name of the package that will be created together with the project (for example, `com.example`).
Artifact	Name of the artifact within a group, usually the project's name.
Application type	Select an application type from thr list.
Project SDK	From the Project SDK list, select the JDK that you want to use in your project. If the JDK is installed on your computer, but not defined in the IDE, select Add JDK and specify the path to the JDK home directory. If you don't have the necessary JDK on your computer, select Download JDK.
Java	If you want to build your project on a Java version different from your project JDK version, you can select it here.

For more information, refer to Micronaut.

MicroProfile

Server URL	Specify the URL of the starter service that you want to use in your application. By default, the https://start.microprofile.io/ instance is specified, but you can use another custom service.
Name	Specify the project name.
Location	Specify the path to the directory in which you want to create the project. By default, the IDE creates a directory with the same name as the project.
MicroProfile Runtime	Select the runtime that you want to use.
Group	Specify the name of the package that will be created together with the project (for example, `com.example`).
Artifact	Name of the artifact within a group, usually the project's name.
Project SDK	From the Project SDK list, select the JDK that you want to use in your project. If the JDK is installed on your computer, but not defined in the IDE, select Add JDK and specify the path to the JDK home directory. If you don't have the necessary JDK on your computer, select Download JDK.

Select specifications that you want to use in your project. If you select technologies that require additional plugins, the IDE will notify you about it once the project is created, and will suggest installing or enabling them.

Selecting specifications for the new MicroProfile project

Ktor

Name	Specify the project name.
Location	Specify the path to the directory in which you want to create the project. By default, the IDE creates a directory with the same name as the project.
Build system	Select the build tool that will be used for managing dependencies, testing, packaging, automating the build process, and so on.
Website	A domain used to generate a package name.
Artifact	A generated artifact name.
Ktor Version	A required Ktor version.
Ktor Version	A required Ktor version.
Engine	An engine used to run a server.
Configuration in	Select whether to specify server parameters in code or in a HOCON file.
Add sample code	Leave this option enabled to add sample code for plugins added on the next page.

On the next page, select plugins (formerly known as features) that you want to use in this application. They provide common functionality of a Ktor application, for example, authentication, serialization and content encoding, compression, cookie support, and so on.

Groovy

Groovy library	If the necessary version of Groovy is already defined in IntelliJ IDEA, select it from the list. Alternatively, click Create and select the Groovy installation directory.
Additional Libraries and Frameworks	Select the technologies, frameworks and languages that you want your project to support, and specify the associated settings.

Project name	Specify the project name.
Project location	Specify the path to the directory in which you want to create the project. By default, the IDE creates a directory with the same name as the project.
Module name	Specify the module name. By default, the project name is used. For more information on modules and the difference between projects and modules, refer to Configure projects and Modules.
Content root	Specify the path to the module content root folder (the folder that stores your source code). It's recommended that you use the default path.
Module file location	Specify the path to the folder where the .iml module file should be created. By default, this file is created in the module content root folder (recommended).
Project format	It's recommended that you use the directory-based format.

Grails App Forge

Project Type	Select an application type (Application or Plugin).
Grails Version	Select the Grails version that you want to use in your application.
Profile	Select the necessary application profile.
Features	Select the necessary checkboxes to specify features for your project.

Project name	Specify the project name.
Project location	Specify the path to the directory in which you want to create the project. By default, the IDE creates a directory with the same name as the project.
Module name	Specify the module name. By default, the project name is used. For more information on modules and the difference between projects and modules, refer to Configure projects and Modules.
Content root	Specify the path to the module content root folder (the folder that stores your source code). It's recommended that you use the default path.
Module file location	Specify the path to the folder where the .iml module file should be created. By default, this file is created in the module content root folder (recommended).
Project format	It's recommended that you use the directory-based format.

JavaScript (Static Web)

Select the necessary framework:

Project name	Specify the project name.
Project location	Specify the path to the directory in which you want to create the project. By default, the IDE creates a directory with the same name as the project.
Version	Specify the version of the template in accordance to which the stub will be generated. Click to refresh the list of available template versions.
Module name	Specify the module name. By default, the project name is used.
Content root	Specify the path to the module content root folder (the folder that stores your source code). It's recommended that you use the default path.
Module file location	Specify the path to the folder where the .iml module file should be created. By default, this file is created in the module content root folder (recommended).
Project format	It's recommended that you use the directory-based format.

Project name	Specify the project name.
Project location	Specify the path to the directory in which you want to create the project. By default, the IDE creates a directory with the same name as the project.
Node interpreter	Specify the Node.js interpreter that you want to use in this project. You can select a configured interpreter from the list or click Add to configure a new one. If you have no Node.js on your computer, select Download Node.js from the list.
create-react-app	Select npx create-react-app. Alternatively, for npm version 5.1 and earlier, install the `create-react-app` package yourself by running `npm install --g create-react-app` in the Terminal `Alt+F12`. When creating an application, select the folder where the `create-react-app` package is stored.
Create TypeScript project	Select this checkbox to enable TypeScript for your project.
Module name	Specify the module name. By default, the project name is used.
Content root	Specify the path to the module content root folder (the folder that stores your source code). It's recommended that you use the default path.
Module file location	Specify the path to the folder where the .iml module file should be created. By default, this file is created in the module content root folder (recommended).
Project format	It's recommended that you use the directory-based format.

Project name	Specify the project name.
Project location	Specify the path to the directory in which you want to create the project. By default, the IDE creates a directory with the same name as the project.
Version	Specify the version of the template in accordance to which the stub will be generated. Click to refresh the list of available template versions.
Module name	Specify the module name. By default, the project name is used.
Content root	Specify the path to the module content root folder (the folder that stores your source code). It's recommended that you use the default path.
Module file location	Specify the path to the folder where the .iml module file should be created. By default, this file is created in the module content root folder (recommended).
Project format	It's recommended that you use the directory-based format.

Project name	Specify the project name.
Project location	Specify the path to the directory in which you want to create the project. By default, the IDE creates a directory with the same name as the project.
Version	Specify the version of the template in accordance to which the stub will be generated. Click to refresh the list of available template versions.
Module name	Specify the module name. By default, the project name is used.
Content root	Specify the path to the module content root folder (the folder that stores your source code). It's recommended that you use the default path.
Module file location	Specify the path to the folder where the .iml module file should be created. By default, this file is created in the module content root folder (recommended).
Project format	It's recommended that you use the directory-based format.

Project name	Specify the project name.
Project location	Specify the path to the directory in which you want to create the project. By default, the IDE creates a directory with the same name as the project.
Node interpreter	Specify the Node.js interpreter that you want to use in this project. You can select a configured interpreter from the list or click Add to configure a new one. If you have no Node.js on your computer, select Download Node.js from the list.
Angular CLI	Select `npx --package @angular/cli ng`. Alternatively, for npm version 5.1 and earlier, install the `@angular/cli` package yourself by running `npm install -g @angular/cli` in the Terminal `Alt+F12`. When creating an application, select the folder where the `@angular/cli` package is stored.
Additional parameters	(Optional) Specify the extra ng new options to pass to Angular CLI. Code completion is available in this field: as you start typing the name of an option or press `Ctrl+Space`, IntelliJ IDEA shows you the available options and their description.
Module name	Specify the module name. By default, the project name is used.
Content root	Specify the path to the module content root folder (the folder that stores your source code). It's recommended that you use the default path.
Module file location	Specify the path to the folder where the .iml module file should be created. By default, this file is created in the module content root folder (recommended).
Project format	It's recommended that you use the directory-based format.

Project name	Specify the project name.
Project location	Specify the path to the directory in which you want to create the project. By default, the IDE creates a directory with the same name as the project.
Node interpreter	Specify the Node.js interpreter that you want to use in this project. You can select a configured interpreter from the list or click Add to configure a new one. If you have no Node.js on your computer, select Download Node.js from the list.
React Native	Select `npx --package react-native-cli react-native`. Alternatively, for npm version 5.1 and earlier, install the `react-native-cli` package yourself by running `npm install -g react-native-cli` in the Terminal `Alt+F12`. When creating an application, select the folder where the `react-native-cli` package is stored.
Module name	Specify the module name. By default, the project name is used.
Content root	Specify the path to the module content root folder (the folder that stores your source code). It's recommended that you use the default path.
Module file location	Specify the path to the folder where the .iml module file should be created. By default, this file is created in the module content root folder (recommended).
Project format	It's recommended that you use the directory-based format.

Project name	Specify the project name.
Project location	Specify the path to the directory in which you want to create the project. By default, the IDE creates a directory with the same name as the project.
Node interpreter	In this field, specify the Node.js interpreter to use. This can be a local Node.js interpreter or a Node.js on Windows Subsystem for Linux..
Package manager	Specify the location of the Node.js package manager file npm.cmd. In most cases, IntelliJ IDEA detects the Node.js executable and fills in the field automatically.
Module name	Specify the module name. By default, the project name is used.
Content root	Specify the path to the module content root folder (the folder that stores your source code). It's recommended that you use the default path.
Module file location	Specify the path to the folder where the .iml module file should be created. By default, this file is created in the module content root folder (recommended).
Project format	It's recommended that you use the directory-based format.

Project name	Specify the project name.
Project location	Specify the path to the directory in which you want to create the project. By default, the IDE creates a directory with the same name as the project.
Node interpreter	In this field, specify the Node.js interpreter to use. This can be a local Node.js interpreter or a Node.js on Windows Subsystem for Linux..
Package manager	Specify the location of the Node.js package manager file npm.cmd. In most cases, IntelliJ IDEA detects the Node.js executable and fills in the field automatically.
Version	Select the version of the template in accordance to which the stub will be generated. Click to refresh the list of available template versions..
View Engine	Select the template engine that you want to use.
Stylesheet Engine	Select the CSS preprocessor for your project.
Module name	Specify the module name. By default, the project name is used.
Content root	Specify the path to the module content root folder (the folder that stores your source code). It's recommended that you use the default path.
Module file location	Specify the path to the folder where the .iml module file should be created. By default, this file is created in the module content root folder (recommended).
Project format	It's recommended that you use the directory-based format.

Kotlin

During step 1, the global project properties are defined.

Name	The project name.
Location	The path to the directory where the project will be located. If not specified, IntelliJ IDEA uses the default directory (Settings/Preferences \| Appearance & Behavior \| System settings).
Project Template	Defines the initial project structure. Depending on the purpose, select one of the following templates. JVM: Application (JVM): backend application with Kotlin/JVM. Console Application: console application with Kotlin/JVM. Use it for prototyping or testing purposes. Multiplatform: Mobile Application: mobile applications for iOS and Android with Kotlin Multiplatform Mobile, which supports sharing common code between platforms. Mobile Library: library that supports sharing code between iOS and Android. Application (Multiplatform): applications for different platforms that support sharing common code. Library: library for sharing common code among different platforms. Native Application: application with Kotlin/Native that works as a standalone application under a specific platform. Full-stack Web Application: full-fledged web application using Kotlin/JS for the frontend and Kotlin/JVM for the backend. Kotlin/JS: Frontend Application: frontend application with Kotlin/JS and non-Kotlin backend. If you use Kotlin for backend, the better option is Full-stack Web Application.
Build system	Select the build tool that will be used for managing dependencies, testing, packaging, automating the build process, and so on.
Project JDK	The JDK that will be used in the project (version 1.8 or later is recommended). The JDK: is essential for projects built with IntelliJ IDEA build system. used for coding assistance in projects built with Gradle and Maven If you don't have a JDK installed, you can download it right in the dialog.
Group ID	The unique identifier of your organization. Not applicable for IntelliJ build system.
Artifact ID	The unique name of the primary artifact for this project. Not applicable for IntelliJ build system.
Version	The version of the primary artifact generated by the project. Not applicable for IntelliJ build system.
Kotlin Runtime	The Kotlin Runtime library that will be used in the project. Only required for IntelliJ build system.

During step 2, the module structure of the project is configured. This step is optional.

Common settings

The settings in this section are applicable to all module types irrespective of the selected template.

Name	The name of the module.
Test framework	The framework that will be used for unit testing.
Module dependencies	The list of modules the current module depends on.

Module templates

Module templates determine the initial module setup. Depending on the selected module template, modules may have different settings.

None	A blank project with minimal initial configuration.
Console application	Console application with Kotlin/JVM. Use it for prototyping or testing purposes.
Web server	Asynchronous client/server application with Ktor. The Web server setting specifies the server engine that will be used: Netty, Tomcat, or Jetty.
Frontend application	Frontend application with Kotlin/JS. For this template, Rendering engine needs to be specified: Statically-typed Kotlinx.html DSL: provides an easy way to write simple web applications without relying on a framework. It allows you to write typesafe HTML, but remains unopinionated about how your application should behave or render. Kotlin-wrapped React library: allows you to leverage one of the most popular web frameworks, React, to build reactive web frontend in Kotlin. By using interoperability with JavaScript, you can also re-use third-party components in your application. Kotlin-wrapped React library with Styled Components: in addition to allowing you to write reactive apps, also allows you to define your stylesheets in a typesafe Kotlin DSL. Styled-components make it easy to add (even dynamic) stylesheets to components in your React application.
Native application	Application with Kotlin/Native that works as a standalone application under a specific platform.

JVM-specific settings

The settings in this section are only applicable to JVM targets/modules.

Target JVM version	The version of the JVM bytecode that will be produced as the result of compiling this module.
Java language support	Allows you to write Java code in the selected target

Android-specific settings

The settings in this section are only applicable to Android targets/modules.

Android plugin	Android Gradle plugin that will be used for the current module.
Android SDK	Android SDK that will be used for the current module.

JavaScript-specific settings

The settings in this section are only applicable to JavaScript targets/modules.

Target kind	Specifies what will be produced as the result of compiling this module/target: a JavaScript application or JavaScript library.
CSS support	Enables webpack loaders for styles and CSS. If you are using SASS or LESS, diable this option.

Web

Project name	Specify the project name.
Project location	Specify the path to the directory in which you want to create the project. By default, the IDE creates a directory with the same name as the project.
Module name	Specify the module name. By default, the project name is used. For more information on modules and the difference between projects and modules, refer to Configure projects and Modules.
Content root	Specify the path to the module content root folder (the folder that stores your source code). It's recommended that you use the default path.
Module file location	Specify the path to the folder where the .iml module file should be created. By default, this file is created in the module content root folder (recommended).
Project format	It's recommended that you use the directory-based format.

Empty Project

Empty projects are created without modules. For such projects, you need to manually create at least one module, add content roots, and configure an SDK.

Select Empty Project and click Next.

Project name	Specify the project name.
Project location	Specify the path to the directory in which you want to create the project. By default, the IDE creates a directory with the same name as the project.
Project format	It's recommended that you use the directory-based format.

Last modified: 28 June 2021