# BoxLang IntelliJ

The **BoxLang IDE plugin for IntelliJ** brings modern BoxLang development directly into the JetBrains IDE family. Whether you're building new BoxLang applications or maintaining existing CFML codebases, this plugin provides first-class tooling inside IntelliJ and other JetBrains IDEs.

## 📦 Installation

Installing the plugin is easy from the JetBrains Marketplace.

### From IntelliJ

1. Open **Settings → Plugins**
2. Search for **BoxLang IDE**
3. Click **Install**
4. Restart IntelliJ

### Direct from Marketplace

Install directly from the [JetBrains Marketplace](https://plugins.jetbrains.com/plugin/30311-boxlang-ide)

```bash
# Install from JetBrains Marketplace
https://plugins.jetbrains.com/plugin/30311-boxlang-ide
```

<figure><img src="https://www.ortussolutions.com/__media/contentbox:2026/Blogs/introducing-the-boxlang-ide-plugin-for-intellij/plugin-web-view.png" alt="IntelliJ&#x27;s plugin marketplace showing BoxLang IDE"><figcaption><p>BoxLang IDE plugin on the JetBrains Marketplace</p></figcaption></figure>

## ✨ Key Features

### 🎨 BoxLang Syntax Highlighting

Full syntax highlighting for BoxLang source files makes your code easier to read and maintain.

Features include:

* Tokenized syntax highlighting
* Language-aware formatting
* Support for modern BoxLang syntax

<figure><img src="https://www.ortussolutions.com/__media/contentbox:2026/Blogs/introducing-the-boxlang-ide-plugin-for-intellij/hyper-in-intellij.png" alt="Hyper inside IntelliJ&#x27;s BoxLang IDE"><figcaption><p>BoxLang syntax highlighting in IntelliJ</p></figcaption></figure>

### 🧰 BoxLang Project Creation

Quickly bootstrap a new BoxLang project directly from the IntelliJ project wizard.

This allows you to:

* Create a new BoxLang application structure
* Configure runtimes quickly
* Start coding immediately

<figure><img src="https://www.ortussolutions.com/__media/contentbox:2026/Blogs/introducing-the-boxlang-ide-plugin-for-intellij/boxlang-new-project.png" alt="BoxLang New Project Creation"><figcaption><p>Create new BoxLang projects from IntelliJ</p></figcaption></figure>

### 🧠 Language Server (LSP) Support

The plugin integrates with the **BoxLang Language Server**, enabling advanced development features:

* **IntelliSense** - Intelligent code completion
* **Hover Documentation** - Inline documentation for functions and components
* **Go to Definition** - Navigate to symbol definitions
* **Find References** - Locate all usages across your codebase
* **Inline Diagnostics** - Real-time error detection and reporting

<figure><img src="https://www.ortussolutions.com/__media/contentbox:2026/Blogs/introducing-the-boxlang-ide-plugin-for-intellij/symbol-search.png" alt="BoxLang IDE showing Goto Symbol support"><figcaption><p>Language server integration with symbol search</p></figcaption></figure>

### 🐞 Debugging Support

Debug your BoxLang applications directly inside IntelliJ with full debugging capabilities.

The plugin supports:

* **Breakpoints** - Set breakpoints anywhere in your code
* **Step-through Debugging** - Step over, into, and out of functions
* **Variable Inspection** - Inspect variable values at runtime
* **Call Stack Navigation** - Navigate through the execution stack

<figure><img src="https://www.ortussolutions.com/__media/contentbox:2026/Blogs/introducing-the-boxlang-ide-plugin-for-intellij/debugging.png" alt="BoxLang Debugger in action"><figcaption><p>Full debugging support with breakpoints and variable inspection</p></figcaption></figure>

### 🧪 TestBox Integration

Run and debug **TestBox tests** without leaving your IDE.

Benefits include:

* Running tests directly from IntelliJ
* Viewing test results inline
* Faster test-driven development workflows
* Debug test cases with full debugging support

<figure><img src="https://www.ortussolutions.com/__media/contentbox:2026/Blogs/introducing-the-boxlang-ide-plugin-for-intellij/testbox-integration.png" alt="BoxLang IDE TestBox Integration with IntelliJ"><figcaption><p>TestBox integration for running tests inside IntelliJ</p></figcaption></figure>

### 🔵 CFML Syntax Highlighting

The plugin also includes **syntax highlighting for CFML**, making it easier to work in mixed environments.

This is particularly useful for teams that are:

* Migrating CFML applications to BoxLang
* Maintaining legacy codebases
* Working with hybrid projects

## 🚀 Designed for the JVM Ecosystem

BoxLang is built for the JVM and integrates naturally with Java-based tooling and workflows.

That means IntelliJ users get:

* **Familiar Workflows** - Work with BoxLang using the same patterns as Java development
* **Powerful Navigation** - Leverage IntelliJ's robust code navigation features
* **Rich Plugin Ecosystem** - Benefit from IntelliJ's extensive plugin library
* **Seamless JVM Integration** - BoxLang code works naturally with Java tooling

## 📚 Getting Started

Ready to start developing with BoxLang in IntelliJ?

1. [Install the plugin](https://plugins.jetbrains.com/plugin/30311-boxlang-ide) from the JetBrains Marketplace
2. Create a new BoxLang project using the project wizard
3. Start coding with full language server support
4. Debug and test your applications directly in IntelliJ

Learn more about BoxLang at <https://boxlang.io>

## 💬 Feedback & Contributions

We're actively improving the plugin and welcome your feedback:

* [Open issues](https://ortussolutions.atlassian.net/jira/software/c/projects/BLIDE/boards/132?search_id=c5d57cde-72a5-400c-b8ee-32b5fe3c8a6f)
* Submit feature requests
* Contribute improvements

Let's make **BoxLang development on IntelliJ world-class.**


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