The Kotlin language server for Visual Studio Code is currently in a pre-alpha experimental phase, offering a compelling suite of functionalities like project import, highlighting, navigation, code actions, and completion. Specifically tailored for JVM-only Kotlin Gradle projects, this language server extends its support across macOS and Linux platforms, leveraging the Language Server Protocol (LSP).
Announced at KotlinConf by JetBrains, this first official LSP extension for VS Code has generated considerable anticipation in the Kotlin community. The integration promises to enhance the developer experience significantly, despite its current unstable nature.
One notable aspect of this language server is its partial reliance on closed-source components, heavily drawing from IntelliJ’s functionality. However, there are plans to transition towards an open-source model after achieving stabilization. Until then, users should be aware of the absence of stability guarantees and the necessity of manual configuration, especially for editors outside of Visual Studio Code.
In related news, Kotlin 2.2 has been introduced as a release candidate, bringing forward new language features. Among these advancements is the inclusion of guard conditions in ‘when’ expressions and the anticipated Swift Export in Kotlin Multiplatform. These developments aim to enrich the versatility and robustness of Kotlin as a programming language, further engaging its user base in strategic and adaptive coding paradigms.

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The Kotlin language server for Visual Studio Code is in a pre-alpha phase, providing functionalities like project import and code completion for JVM-only Kotlin Gradle projects on macOS and Linux. Despite relying partially on closed-source components drawn from IntelliJ, it is expected to transition to an open-source model once stable. Kotlin 2.2 has been introduced as a release candidate, featuring guard conditions in 'when' expressions and Swift Export in Kotlin Multiplatform, enhancing Kotlin's versatility.

Pre-Alpha Kotlin Language Server in Visual Studio Code and Upcoming Kotlin Features