What’s New in IntelliJ IDEA 2024.2? Key Features and Improvements

Preface

IntelliJ IDEA 2024.2 adds several productivity features: direct execution of Spring Data JPA repository methods, enhanced cron expression editing, HTTP client now uses GraalJS for ECMAScript 2023 support, and faster IDE startup by enabling key features during indexing.

Main Highlights

Spring Data JPA support

Repository methods can be executed from the IDE without running the application. Use the JPA console icon in the sidebar to run any method and view the generated query.

Cron expression editing

Inline descriptions and autocomplete provide ready‑made examples for cron expressions in Spring, Quarkus, and Micronaut. The editor shows a human‑readable description next to the expression.

HTTP client GraalJS engine

The .http client now runs JavaScript with GraalJS, offering full ECMAScript 2023 compatibility.

Faster startup

Code highlighting, completion, intentions, test launch, gutter markers, and Lombok support are available while the project model is still indexing, reducing wait time.

User Experience Improvements

Whole‑line code completion

New shortcuts let you accept a single word or the entire line; suggestions are highlighted inline.

New UI default

The modern UI is now the default for all users, with larger controls, consistent colors, and higher contrast.

Search Everywhere preview

A preview pane can be toggled to show the selected code element directly in the Search Everywhere dialog.

Automatic proxy detection

The IDE detects system proxy settings and uses them automatically.

Custom main toolbar dialog

The dialog layout is redesigned for easier search, addition, and removal of actions.

Java Enhancements

Log management

String literals in log statements are highlighted, parameters are parsed, and quick‑fixes convert System.out.println to logger calls.

Self‑comparison inspection

New inspection warns when an expression is compared with itself, helping to catch accidental bugs.

Change signature refactoring hint

An inline hint appears near the changed element; confirming updates all references automatically.

Scala Enhancements

Code highlighting

Class fields used as parameters are highlighted as fields; named parameters and regular‑expression literals receive distinct colors.

Scala 3 support

Improved parsing of for comprehensions, export clauses, extension methods, constructor annotations, and enum case suggestions.

Code completion

Method named parameters are auto‑filled; union type literals are suggested for Scala 3 enums, unions, and Java enums.

Other improvements

StringBuilder contents are displayed as strings in the debugger; Grazie spell‑checking is enabled for Scala; sbt import shows library download progress.

Compiler‑based highlighting

Out‑of‑date error highlights are removed; Scala compiler diagnostics are offered as quick‑fixes.

Code Editor

Markdown math rendering

Inline $…$ and block $$…$$ math expressions are rendered natively.

Language‑aware sticky lines

Sticky lines can be enabled per language via Settings → Editor → General → Sticky Lines.

Profiler

Project‑method focus

Library calls are faded and collapsed, highlighting only project code in the call tree. Expand the “+” icon to view hidden library calls.

Run/Debug

Performance charts

The Run tool window includes a Performance tab with real‑time CPU and memory charts and the ability to capture execution snapshots.

Variable visualizers

JSON, XML, HTML, JWT, and URL‑encoded strings are formatted and can be opened via a “View” link.

Test coverage for changed code

The Coverage tool window can be limited to classes changed in the current feature branch.