Platform Debugger Architecture Redesign for Remote Development in 2026.1 | The JetBrains Platform Blog

The IntelliJ Platform has restructured its debugger architecture to support remote development, allowing the IDE to run locally while code executes on a remote server. This redesign splits the debugger into frontend and backend components, with the frontend handling the user interface and the backend managing active debugger sessions, enhancing responsiveness and stability in Remote Development mode. The changes necessitate updates for plugin developers, as older APIs related to debugger UI have been deprecated due to asynchronous UI creation, potentially causing race conditions. Developers are advised to test their plugins with the 2026.1 EAP, pay attention to IDE log error messages, and choose appropriate migration paths for Local or Remote Development modes. New APIs have been introduced to maintain compatibility and support additional functionality, requiring developers to adapt their implementations accordingly.