JetBrains outlines 2026 IDE strategy: support for both classic coding and AI-agent workflows side by side, with multi-vendor AI support and Agent Client Protocol for external agents.

JetBrains is designing IDEs to support two coexisting workflows: traditional code-writing (typing, refactoring, debugging) and AI-assisted or agentic code generation, with neither approach compromising the other.

The company is building multi-vendor AI support through JetBrains AI subscription, bring-your-own API key (BYOK), OAuth sign-in where available, and Agent Client Protocol (ACP) — a standard interface that lets users connect external coding agents (such as Cursor) without requiring bespoke IDE integrations for each agent.

JetBrains commits to treating generated code as production code: all changes must be visible, reversible, and reviewable within the IDE, and agents can edit multiple files only if the outcome remains fully inspectable and correctable.