Code with Gemini Code Assist Standard and Enterprise

This document describes how you can use Gemini Code Assist, an AI-powered collaborator in your IDE, to help you do the following in VS Code or IntelliJ and other supported JetBrains IDEs:

  • Generate code for your project with code transformation.
  • Receive code completions while you're coding.
  • Use smart actions.

If you're using Gemini Code Assist Enterprise, you can use Code customization, which lets you get code suggestions based on your organization's private codebase directly from Gemini Code Assist Enterprise. Learn how to configure code customization.

This document is intended for developers of all skill levels. It assumes you have working knowledge of VS Code or IntelliJ and other supported JetBrains IDEs, and are familiar with Google Cloud. If you prefer, you can also explore Gemini Code Assist in Cloud Shell Editor, Cloud Workstations, and Android Studio.

Before you begin

VS Code

  1. Set up Gemini Code Assist Standard or Enterprise, if you haven't already.

  2. Before testing Gemini Code Assist capabilities in your code file, make sure your file's coding language is supported. For more information on supported coding languages, see Supported coding languages.

  3. If you prefer to use your IDE behind a proxy, see Network Connections in Visual Studio Code.

IntelliJ

  1. Set up Gemini Code Assist Standard or Enterprise, if you haven't already.

  2. Before testing Gemini Code Assist capabilities in your code file, make sure your file's coding language is supported. For more information on supported coding languages, see Supported coding languages.

  3. If you prefer to use your IDE behind a proxy, see HTTP Proxy.

Generate code with prompts

The following sections show you how to use Gemini Code Assist to generate code with the example prompt Function to create a Cloud Storage bucket inside your code file. You can also select a part of your code and then prompt Gemini Code Assist for help through the chat feature, and receive and accept or reject code suggestions while you code.

Prompt Gemini Code Assist with code transformation

Code transformation allows you to use commands or natural language prompts in the Quick Pick menu to request modifications to your code, and provides you with a diff view to show pending changes to your code. To prompt Gemini Code Assist with code transformation, follow these steps:

VS Code

  1. In your code file, on a new line, press Control+I (for Windows and Linux) or Command+I (for macOS) to open the Gemini Code Assist Quick Pick menu.

  2. In the menu, using the /generate command, enter /generate function to create a Cloud Storage bucket and then press Enter (for Windows and Linux) or Return (for macOS).

    Gemini Code Assist generates code with the /generate command.

    Gemini Code Assist generates the code based on your prompt in a diff view.

    Gemini Code Assist opens a diff view to show generated code.

  3. Optional: To accept these changes, click Accept.

IntelliJ

  1. In your code file, on a new line, press Alt+\ (for Windows and Linux) or Cmd+\ (for macOS) to open the Gemini Code Assist Quick Pick menu.

  2. In the menu, using the /generate command, enter /generate function to create a Cloud Storage bucket and then press Enter (for Windows and Linux) or Return (for macOS).

    Code transformation generate function in IntelliJ Gemini Code Assist

    Gemini Code Assist generates the code based on your prompt in a diff view.

    Code transformation diff view in IntelliJ Gemini Code Assist

  3. Optional: To accept these changes, click Accept Changes.

    You can use the following code transformation commands in your IDE:

    • /fix: Fix issues or errors in your code. Example: /fix potential NullPointerExceptions in my code.
    • /generate: Generate code. Example: /generate a function to get the current time.
    • /doc: Add documentation to your code. Example: /doc this function.