How to Set Up a Kotlin Project in IntelliJ IDEA in 2025

Setting up a Kotlin project in IntelliJ IDEA has never been easier! As of 2025, Kotlin continues to gain popularity due to its interoperability with Java, its concise syntax, and its robust ecosystem. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced developer, this guide will walk you through the steps to set up a Kotlin project in IntelliJ IDEA, leveraging the latest features of the IDE.

Step 1: Install IntelliJ IDEA

The first step in setting up your Kotlin project is to ensure you have the latest version of IntelliJ IDEA installed. JetBrains, the creators of IntelliJ IDEA, frequently update their IDE to support the latest languages and frameworks, making it an ideal choice for Kotlin development.

Step 2: Configure Kotlin Plugin

1. Open IntelliJ IDEA.
2. Navigate to Plugins from the welcome screen or go to File -> Settings -> Plugins from within the IDE.
3. Search for “Kotlin” and ensure it’s installed and enabled. IntelliJ IDEA usually comes with the Kotlin plugin pre-installed, but it’s always good to verify and update it if needed.

Step 3: Create a New Kotlin Project

1. From the welcome screen, click on New Project.
2. In the New Project wizard, select Kotlin on the left-hand menu.
3. Choose JVM | IDEA as the project template. This template is well-suited for most Kotlin applications, providing a straightforward setup.
4. Click Next and provide a project name, location, and JDK. Ensure you have JDK 17 or later.
5. Click Finish to create your project.

Step 4: Set Up Project Structure

Once your project is created:

1. Open the Project view from the left sidebar.
2. Right-click on src directory -> New -> Kotlin Class/File.
3. Enter a name for your file to start coding. For example, Main.kt.

Step 5: Write Your First Kotlin Program

Open your newly created file and add the following code:

fun main() {
    println("Hello, Kotlin!")
}

Step 6: Run Your Program

1. Right-click on your Main.kt file.
2. Select Run 'MainKt'.
3. Observe the output in the Run panel, confirming that your Kotlin environment is correctly set up.

Additional Resources

• To expand your skills, explore Kotlin programming features such as coroutines and extension functions.
• For Android developers, familiarize yourself with popular Kotlin libraries for Android to enhance your mobile applications.
• If you’re building a web application, learn about limiting the form submission per day on Kotlin.

Congratulations! You’ve successfully set up a Kotlin project in IntelliJ IDEA. Happy coding in 2025!