Unlock IntelliJ IDEA’s Postfix Completion: 10 Handy Code Templates

IntelliJ IDEA provides a powerful postfix completion feature that expands short expressions into full Java code templates, allowing developers to generate common constructs with a simple dot (.) and a keyword.

1. var declaration

After an expression, type var. to insert a variable declaration template.

2. null check

Use null. to generate an if (obj == null) guard.

3. notnull check

Typing notnull. creates an if (obj != null) block.

4. nn (non‑null) check

The nn. shortcut also produces a non‑null guard.

5. for loop

Enter for. to generate a standard for (int i = 0; i < collection.size(); i++) loop.

6. fori (indexed loop)

The fori. shortcut creates a loop with an index variable.

7. not (negation)

Typing not. inserts a logical negation of a boolean expression.

8. if condition

Use if. to generate an if (condition) {} block.

9. cast (type conversion)

Typing cast. wraps an expression with a cast to the selected type.

10. return value

The return. shortcut inserts a return statement with the appropriate expression.

By mastering these postfix completions, developers can write Java code faster and reduce repetitive typing.