Using IntelliJ IDEA 2021.3 Remote Run Features: WSL, SSH, and Docker

The author records the experience of using IntelliJ IDEA 2021.3's support for WSL, SSH, and Docker to run and debug Java code without extensive configuration, highlighting the convenience of remote execution that feels like local development.

Initial impressions note a more elaborate startup UI and the need to update plugins after upgrading IDEA. The new features include Space integration, Java 16 support, improved Git handling, Windows task support, Code With Me, and remote run options.

To use remote execution, the entry point is the Run/Debug Configuration dialog where the default "Local machine" can be replaced with a WSL, SSH, or Docker target.

WSL : Install JDK inside the WSL distribution, set JAVA_HOME, and create a WSL Run On environment. Selecting the appropriate WSL distro shows a green "successfully" indicator, after which code runs and debugs just like locally.

SSH : Configure SSH credentials, then create a new SSH Run Target. The author notes performance issues such as repeated uploading of JAR files and the lack of rsync optimization, but once configured, the remote Run/Debug behaves similarly to a local session.

Docker : A minimal Dockerfile can be used. Example:

FROM openjdk:11.0.11-oraclelinux7

After setting up a Docker Server (local Docker in the example) and selecting the Dockerfile, IDEA launches the container. The author mentions a minor bug where Run options ignore the specified port mapping, but the container starts successfully and the application runs and debugs normally.

Overall, the author concludes that with simple configuration, WSL, SSH, and Docker provide a near‑identical experience to local Run/Debug, recommending the upgrade for developers who need these remote capabilities.