IntelliJ IDEA Configuration and Shortcut Guide

This article provides step‑by‑step instructions for configuring IntelliJ IDEA for Java development.

1. Maven setup : Open File → Settings → Search "Maven" and configure Maven home directory, user settings file, and local repository.

2. Code line width : Set the right margin and enable Wrap when typing reaches right margin under Editor → Code Style → Java to automatically wrap long lines.

3. Case‑sensitive completion : Disable case sensitivity via

Editor → Settings → Code Completion → Case sensitive completion → None

.

4. Force Maven dependency refresh : Delete libraries in Project Settings, clean the Maven project, then Reimport the project.

5. Default configuration location : IDEA stores settings in C:\Users\<username>\.IntelliJIdea14; you can back up this folder or modify the path in %IDEA_HOME%/bin/idea.properties.

6. Hide unwanted files/folders : Add patterns such as *.iml or .idea in File Types → Ignore files and folders.

7. Eclipse keymap : Switch to the Eclipse keymap via File → Settings → Keymap → Eclipse.

8. Show line numbers : Enable Show line numbers under Editor → General → Appearance.

9. Mark modified tabs with an asterisk : Enable Mark modified tabs with asterisk in Editor → General → Editor Tabs.

10. Disable auto‑code suggestions : Adjust

Preferences → IDE Settings → Editor → Code Completion → Autopopup documentation in (ms)

.

11. Common shortcuts : Includes Ctrl+Tab (switch tabs), Ctrl+W (extend selection), Ctrl+Shift+A (find actions), Alt+Insert (generate code), and others for navigation, refactoring, and debugging.

12. SVN configuration : Enable command‑line client in File → Settings → Subversion → General and specify the svn.exe path.

13. Ignore *.iml files : Add *.iml to ignored files via Editor → File Types → Ignore files and folders.

14. Change editor font size : Adjust via

File → Settings → Editor → Colors & Fonts → Font → Size

.

15. Encoding settings : Set IDE, project, and properties file encodings under File → Settings → File Encodings.

16. Live Templates : Use shortcuts like "abc".sout → System.out.println("abc") and sysout → System.out.println() for quick code insertion.

17. Tomcat VM options : Example options -Xms256m -Xmx512m -XX:PermSize=128m -XX:MaxPermSize=256m.

18. Import Eclipse web project : Add web facet and configure artifacts for deployment.

19. Reduce CPU usage on file open : Disable inspections via File → Settings → Editor → Inspection.

20. Add Spring/Struts support : Use Project Settings → Modules → Add.

21. Auto‑compile on changes : Enable Make project automatically under Build, Execution, Deployment → Compiler.

22. Generate serialVersionUID : Enable Serializable class without 'serialVersionUID' inspection and press Alt+Enter on the class.

23. Presentation mode : Activate via Alt+V → Enter Presentation Mode for distraction‑free coding; exit with Alt+V → Exit Presentation Mode.

24. Inject Language : Use Alt+Enter on a JSON string, select Inject language or reference → JSON to auto‑escape quotes.

25. Symbol search : Press Ctrl+Shift+Alt+N to locate symbols by name.

26. Resolve shortcut conflicts : Disable conflicting Windows shortcuts via desktop right‑click → Graphics Options → Shortcut settings.