AI ToolsJul 31, 2026, 10:32 AM

JetBrains Open-Sources KotlinLLM: Smart Macros That Generate Kotlin Source Code at Runtime and Hot-Reload It Through JDI

30-second summary

JetBrains Research has open-sourced KotlinLLM, an IntelliJ IDEA plugin that uses LLMs to generate and hot-reload Kotlin code at runtime with minimal overhead.

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JetBrains Open-Sources KotlinLLM: Smart Macros That Generate Kotlin Source Code at Runtime and Hot-Reload It Through JDI
Key takeaways
  • KotlinLLM is an open-source IntelliJ IDEA plugin that generates and hot-reloads Kotlin code at runtime using LLMs.
  • The plugin uses `asLlm` and `mockLlm` macros to replace live model calls with generated Kotlin source code.
  • In tests, it achieved a 100% success rate across 24 scenarios with only 1% runtime overhead.
  • The project is licensed under Apache 2.0 and is currently a research prototype.
Full story

JetBrains Research has open-sourced KotlinLLM, an Apache 2.0-licensed IntelliJ IDEA plugin designed to bridge the gap between large language models and runtime Kotlin code. The plugin introduces two smart macros, `asLlm` and `mockLlm`, which generate Kotlin source code instead of relying on live model calls. By capturing runtime values through the Java Debug Interface (JDI), the plugin sends narrow code updates to an LLM agent, compiles the changes, and hot-reloads the modified class into the running application.

In testing on an adapted Spring Petclinic project, KotlinLLM achieved a 100% success rate across 24 scenarios with approximately 1% runtime overhead. This approach eliminates the need for continuous inference calls, allowing developers to work with plain Kotlin code while still benefiting from LLM-driven updates. The project is positioned as a research prototype, offering a glimpse into how LLMs could be integrated more deeply into the software development lifecycle.

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Why this matters
Developers

Introduces a novel way to integrate LLMs into Kotlin development workflows with minimal overhead.

Businesses

Potential to reduce inference costs and improve developer productivity in Kotlin-based projects.

Students

Demonstrates practical applications of LLMs in software development and runtime code generation.

Glossary
hot-reload
The ability to update running code without restarting the application, preserving state and reducing downtime.
JDI
Java Debug Interface, a mechanism for capturing runtime values and debugging Java/Kotlin applications.
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