For teams already using JetBrains Ultimate (e.g., for JVM work), adding Elixir plugin is a no-brainer. For pure Elixir shops, evaluate the refactoring need. JetBrains’ Elixir support is no longer a second-class citizen. The IntelliJ Elixir plugin delivers enterprise-grade refactoring and cross-file navigation that surpasses LSP-based tools in complex projects. However, it lags in macro introspection, LiveView ergonomics, and runtime performance.
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The two tools serve different stages of the development lifecycle: VS Code/ElixirLS for rapid iteration, debugging, and macro exploration; JetBrains for large-scale code maintenance and architectural refactoring. Rather than a winner-takes-all market, the Elixir community benefits from this diversity. Future convergence via LSP adoption in JetBrains could ultimately provide developers with the best of both worlds. For teams already using JetBrains Ultimate (e
Abstract Elixir, a dynamic, functional language built on the Erlang VM (BEAM), has gained significant traction for building scalable, fault-tolerant applications. However, its unique macro system, pipe operator, and OTP (Open Telecom Platform) behaviours present challenges for tooling. This paper explores the state of Elixir support within JetBrains IDEs (IntelliJ IDEA, Rider, WebStorm). It traces the evolution from community-driven plugins to the official "IntelliJ Elixir" plugin, analyzes its core features (code insight, refactoring, debugging), compares it with the dominant competitor (Visual Studio Code + ElixirLS), and evaluates its role in professional Elixir development. The paper concludes that while the JetBrains plugin offers a superior refactoring and navigation experience for monorepo and umbrella apps, the community’s momentum behind ElixirLS on VS Code remains a critical counterweight. 1. Introduction Elixir’s rise is attributable to three pillars: Ruby-like syntax, Erlang’s actor-based concurrency, and the Phoenix web framework’s real-time capabilities. As Elixir enters enterprise environments (e.g., Discord, PepsiCo, Brex), the demand for robust IDEs has grown. JetBrains requires external tool or manual Dialyzer run