With the increasing reliance on AI agents to write code, the primary workload for developers has shifted from "writing" to "reviewing." According to the 2026 Atlassian report, 49% of developers now spend four hours or more per week reviewing AI outputs and correcting prompts. In response to this challenge, JetBrains has unveiled Air, a new workspace aimed at transforming Integrated Development Environments (IDEs) into platforms that support the "Agentic Era" of development.
What is Air and how does it work?
Air is not just a traditional AI chat window; it is an integrated workspace that combines the capabilities of software agents with the native intelligence of the IDE. Air allows developers to bring their preferred agents into the development environment, where agents can now utilize built-in JetBrains tools such as:
- Debugger: To track errors in code generated by the agent.
- Database Management: To perform direct queries.
- Refactoring: To apply code improvements using JetBrains' intelligent engines.
- Semantic Search: To search the entire project context.
Air supports a wide range of agents and subscriptions, including GitHub Copilot, Claude Agent, and Codex, in addition to JetBrains' own agent, Junie.
Advanced features for session management
To ensure that automated tasks do not interfere with the developer's workflow, JetBrains has introduced several organizational features:
- Parallel sessions with Git Worktrees: Air assigns each agent an independent local workspace (Worktree) to prevent changes from overlapping while running multiple agents simultaneously.
- Presets: Developers can save agent settings, models, and instructions for specific tasks, accelerating the start of new sessions.
- Code review via Code Notes: Developers can leave notes directly on specific lines to request modifications or ask questions, guiding the agent in the next session while maintaining context.
What changes in practice?
The fundamental change lies in shifting the developer's role from "code writer" to "technical supervisor." Instead of copying code from an external chat window and pasting it into the editor, the agent becomes part of the development lifecycle within the IDE. Air provides greater transparency by displaying session costs (in tokens or currency) and monitoring usage quotas directly, giving the developer full control over resources and results.
Availability and subscriptions
Air is available in JetBrains versions starting from 2026.3. It is worth noting that using Air does not necessarily require a paid JetBrains AI subscription; users can link their own API keys or use their existing subscriptions for other services such as Claude Pro. JetBrains also provides a free version of its agent, Junie Lite, for daily tasks and quick questions.