7 Powerful Ways to Boost Go Development with JetBrains AI Assistant

The landscape of Go development has been transformed with the latest update to JetBrains AI Assistant for GoLand. This powerful AI plugin brings intelligent coding assistance directly into your IDE, helping developers write better code faster while maintaining complete control over the development process. Whether you're working with local models or leveraging cloud-based AI, the new features in JetBrains AI Assistant make Go programming more efficient and enjoyable than ever before.

Understanding JetBrains AI Assistant for GoLand

JetBrains AI Assistant is an intelligent coding companion that integrates seamlessly with GoLand and other JetBrains IDEs. The recent major update introduces enhanced capabilities that make it an essential tool for Go developers looking to streamline their workflow and boost productivity.

At its core, the AI Assistant offers two primary modes of operation: local AI completion and cloud completion. Let's explore how these work and the benefits they bring to your Go development process.

Local AI Completion: Free and Offline

One of the most impressive aspects of GoLand's AI Assistant is that it ships with local AI models right out of the box. These models offer several advantages:

Completely free to use
Fully local and offline operation
No need for internet connectivity
Specialized for code completion
Privacy-friendly as your code never leaves your machine

The local models feel like an extension of GoLand's built-in autocompletion but with more advanced capabilities and deeper insights. The more you use them, the more you'll appreciate how they enhance your coding experience without requiring any additional setup or configuration.

JetBrains GoLand AI Assistant settings panel showing extensive configuration options for local models and cloud providers to enhance your Go development workflow

Cloud Completion: Advanced AI Capabilities

For developers who need even more powerful AI assistance, JetBrains offers cloud completion, which leverages sophisticated AI models in the cloud. These models provide enhanced capabilities beyond what's possible with local models alone.

To enable cloud completion, simply click on the AI Assistant panel on the right side of your GoLand IDE and choose "Install Plugin." After installation, you'll need to log in with your JetBrains account to access these advanced features.

For detailed configuration options, navigate to Settings > Tools > AI Assistant, where you can customize the behavior of the AI Assistant or disable it entirely if needed.

Key Features of JetBrains AI Assistant for Go Development

Once you've set up the AI Assistant in your GoLand IDE, you'll have access to a wealth of features designed to enhance your Go programming experience. Let's explore the most impactful ones:

1. Intelligent Chat Interface

The AI Assistant includes a versatile chat interface where you can ask programming questions related to Go or general software development concepts. You can refine your queries by attaching files, commits, and other contextual information to get more precise answers.

The chat interface also supports web search via the /web command, allowing you to quickly find information without leaving your IDE.

JetBrains GoLand IDE showing Go code with NATS implementation alongside the AI Assistant suggesting optimized testing approaches and code improvements

2. Advanced Code Completion

Perhaps the most impactful feature of the AI Assistant is its code completion capability. Powered by Melum, JetBrains' in-house LLM specifically trained for code, the AI Assistant can suggest both single-line completions and entire code blocks.

This isn't just simple autocompletion—the AI understands the context of your Go code and can generate complex implementations based on your intent. You can prompt it directly from within your code or use built-in AI actions to generate documentation and even unit tests for your Go functions.

// Example of AI-assisted Go code completion
func HandleWebSocketConnection(w http.ResponseWriter, r *http.Request) {
    // AI can complete complex implementations like this:
    upgrader := websocket.Upgrader{
        ReadBufferSize:  1024,
        WriteBufferSize: 1024,
        CheckOrigin: func(r *http.Request) bool {
            return true // Allow all connections for this example
        },
    }
    
    conn, err := upgrader.Upgrade(w, r, nil)
    if err != nil {
        log.Println(err)
        return
    }
    defer conn.Close()
    
    // Handle messages
    // ...
}

3. Mode Selector: Chat and Edit Modes

The AI Assistant offers different operational modes to suit your current task:

Chat Mode: The default mode for asking general programming questions. In this mode, the AI won't use context-related data unless you explicitly toggle on the codebase button.
Edit Mode (Beta): A powerful new feature that allows the AI to make changes across multiple files in bulk. Unlike autonomous AI agents, Edit Mode always requires you to review changes before they're applied, giving you complete control over the process.

The Edit Mode feels similar to refactoring code but with AI assistance. GoLand's built-in diff viewer makes reviewing these changes straightforward and intuitive.

4. Context-Aware Assistance

The effectiveness of AI assistance depends heavily on context. JetBrains AI Assistant is designed to gather and utilize context intelligently:

In Edit Mode, the AI automatically determines which files should be attached for context
In Chat Mode, you can manually fine-tune the context by attaching specific files, commits, window panels, symbols, or even database references
The more context you provide, the more accurate and helpful the AI's responses will be

JetBrains AI Assistant in GoLand providing intelligent code suggestions for a Go food delivery application with websocket implementation and file navigation

5. Fine-Grained Control Over Generated Code

JetBrains AI Assistant gives you complete control over the code it generates. You can review all suggestions before they're added to your codebase, ensuring that the AI's contributions align with your project standards and requirements.

This review capability is crucial for maintaining code quality and ensuring that you understand every line of code in your project, even when leveraging AI assistance.

6. Custom Model Selection

The AI Assistant allows you to choose which AI model you want to use for different tasks. You can select from JetBrains' provided models or even plug in your own local models if you have specific requirements or preferences.

This flexibility ensures that you can tailor the AI assistance to your specific Go development needs and workflow preferences.

7. Custom Prompts Management

For recurring tasks or specific code patterns you frequently work with, the AI Assistant allows you to manage custom prompts. This feature lets you create and save specialized instructions that you can quickly apply when needed, further streamlining your Go development workflow.

Getting Started with JetBrains AI Assistant for Go

The best way to understand the power of JetBrains AI Assistant is to experience it firsthand in your Go projects. Here's how to get started:

Open GoLand IDE (ensure you're using the latest version)
Look for the AI Assistant panel on the right side of the IDE
If you want to use cloud features, click "Install Plugin" and log in with your JetBrains account
Start with simple code completions to get a feel for how the AI works
Gradually explore more advanced features like documentation generation and Edit Mode
Customize the AI Assistant settings to match your preferences

Remember that AI completion is free to use in GoLand, and you'll get limited access to other AI features for free as well. For full access to all features, JetBrains offers various subscription options.

Conclusion: Enhancing Go Development with AI

JetBrains AI Assistant represents a significant advancement in how developers work with Go in the GoLand IDE. By combining the power of local and cloud AI models with the familiar JetBrains interface, it creates a seamless development experience that helps you write better Go code faster.

The tool strikes an excellent balance between powerful AI assistance and developer control, ensuring that you always remain in charge of your codebase while benefiting from intelligent suggestions and automations.

Whether you're writing new Go code, refactoring existing projects, or learning the language, JetBrains AI Assistant provides valuable support that can significantly enhance your productivity and code quality. Give it a try in your next Go project and experience the difference it can make in your development workflow.

7 Powerful Ways to Boost Your Go Development with JetBrains AI Assistant in GoLand