IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, PhpStorm, and other JetBrains IDEs are finally adopting Wayland.That means sharper text and better performance on most Linux systems, but there are still some bugs to be worked out.Many Linux distributions are now using Wayland to render applications and other on-screen graphics, instead of the X Window System (X11) that has been in use for over 40 years.
Even though Wayland can still use software written for X11 with the built-in XWayland compatibility mode, applications need to be updated to take full advantage of Wayland's features, especially high-DPI scaling and full functionality on WSLg.JetBrains started publicly testing Wayland support for its IDEs back in July 2024, and in the upcoming 2026.1 release in the Early Access Program, it will be enabled by default on Linux systems using Wayland.That should apply to all JetBrains IDEs available for Linux, which includes IDEA, PyCharm, PhpStorm, GoLand, Rider, CLion, RustRover, WebStorm, RubyMine, DataGrip, and DataSpell.
An announcement blog post explained, "By making this change in our EAP releases first, we hope to be able to give more Linux users the opportunity to try the native Wayland mode in their IDE, gather their feedback, and prepare more comprehensively for the general rollout in one of the upcoming major versions." This change improves sharpness and visual clarity across the entire interface, especially if you're using fractional scaling or other display modes that aren't well-supported in X11.Drag-and-drop functionality and input methods (IMs) should also now work correctly on Wayland devices, and native window decorations (like title bars) are partially implemented.There are still some bugs and unimplemented features, though, which is why Wayland support isn't being enabled in the stable IDEs just yet.
Some windows and dialogs might not be centered properly or re-appear in the same place, and the splash screen on IDE startup is not currently implemented.Remote development mode will also revert to X11.If you're still using a Linux distribution with X11, nothing changes for you—your favorite JetBrains IDEs will continue working as normal.
You can also force the X11 mode in a Wayland session by adding -Dawt.toolkit.name=XToolkit to the VM options list (from Help > Edit Custom VM Options) and restarting the IDE.Subscribe for clear coverage of JetBrains' Wayland shift Join the newsletter for focused coverage of JetBrains IDEs adopting Wayland — concise explainers on high-DPI rendering, input methods, window management quirks, and practical testing tips so Linux developers can assess and report issues as support matures.Subscribe By subscribing, you agree to receive newsletter and marketing emails, and accept our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
You can unsubscribe anytime.JetBrains also said, "This major platform transition is a work in progress.We are actively investigating and developing fixes, prioritizing core areas like rendering, popups, window management, input methods (IMs), and desktop integration.
[…] Your patience and feedback are crucial as we work toward a stable, performant, modern, and feature-complete experience." Source: JetBrains
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