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

Short summary

JetBrains Research has open-sourced KotlinLLM, an IntelliJ IDEA plugin that uses LLM agents to generate Kotlin source code at runtime via Smart macros (asLlm, mockLlm). The plugin captures runtime values through JDI, requests narrow code updates from an LLM, compiles them, and hot-reloads the redefined class — eliminating further inference calls for covered scenarios. On a Spring Petclinic benchmark, all 24 scenarios completed with a 100% hot-reload success rate and approximately 1% runtime overhead.

• •JetBrains open-sourced KotlinLLM under Apache 2.0 — an IntelliJ plugin generating Kotlin code at runtime via LLM agents
• •Uses JDI to capture runtime values, asks LLM for narrow code updates, compiles and hot-reloads with no further inference needed
• •Spring Petclinic benchmark: 24/24 scenarios passed, 100% hot-reload success, ~1% runtime overhead

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