JetBrains has officially announced the introduction of native Wayland support for its IntelliJ-based IDEs starting with version 2026.1. This significant change allows Linux developers to work without relying on X11 compatibility layers. The move comes as many major desktop environments, including Ubuntu, are increasingly adopting Wayland as their primary protocol.
Previously, JetBrains offered a preview of Wayland support in 2024, but now, with the transition, the IDEs can directly communicate with the underlying display protocol using a native toolkit called WLToolkit. This change aims to resolve visual issues that often arise when using the XWayland compatibility layer, such as blurry text on HiDPI displays and scaling inconsistencies.
IntelliJ IDEA, a core product from JetBrains, is primarily used for Java and Kotlin development, and while it remains free for basic use, some features—especially AI functionalities—may require a paid subscription.
Developers currently running IntelliJ IDEs under Ubuntu are predominantly using XWayland, which can lead to suboptimal experiences. By switching to a native format, JetBrains hopes to enhance performance and reduce the long-standing annoyances caused by using outdated protocols.
However, JetBrains has clarified that X11 support will still be available. The IDEs will not become exclusively Wayland-based; instead, they will default to Wayland where feasible. A new auto-detection feature will attempt to connect to Wayland first and fall back to X11 if necessary. Developers can manually opt for the X11 connection by adjusting their IDE settings.
This push for improved Wayland support is linked to a broader industry initiative led by OpenJDK, referred to as Project Wakefield, which seeks to enhance compatibility across the Java ecosystem.
For those interested in trying IntelliJ IDEA and the JetBrains suite, these tools can be easily installed on Ubuntu through the Snap Store.