Question 1

How do I set up the Elixir SDK in IntelliJ IDEA with this plugin?

Accepted Answer

Go to Project Settings, configure the SDK by selecting the directory above the bin folder containing elixir and mix executables. The plugin auto-detects common install locations for Linux, macOS, and Windows, but you may need to manually select paths for custom setups, as detailed in the SDK Setup section.

Question 2

Is Intellij-Elixir better than ElixirLS for VS Code?

Accepted Answer

Intellij-Elixir offers deeper integration with JetBrains IDEs, including advanced debugging, project management, and run configurations, while ElixirLS is optimized for VS Code with language server protocol features. The choice depends on your preferred IDE ecosystem and need for JetBrains-specific tooling.

Question 3

How can I debug an Elixir application using breakpoints in this plugin?

Accepted Answer

Set line breakpoints in your code, create a run configuration for Elixir, Mix, or IEx, and start the debugger. You can then step through code, inspect variables, and manage breakpoints using the debugger UI, as explained in the Debugger section with steps for starting sessions and examining frames.

Question 4

Does the plugin support Phoenix projects with EEx templates?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it supports Phoenix projects with features like syntax highlighting for EEx and LEEx templates, and run configurations for Mix tasks. However, specific Phoenix integrations (e.g., LiveView hot reload) may be limited compared to dedicated tools, and experimental features like ~H sigil injection require additional plugins.

Question 5

What are common issues with WSL setup and how do I fix them?

Accepted Answer

Common issues include SDK detection based on the wrong project directory and performance slowdowns. Ensure the project and SDK are on the same WSL distribution, set up SDKs before importing, and consider running the IDE directly in WSL for better performance, as noted in the WSL Limitations section.

Question 6

How to enable code formatting with mix format on save?

Accepted Answer

Configure the formatter in IDE settings to use the external mix formatter, then enable format-on-save in the Formatting section. This allows automatic formatting when saving files, integrating with Elixir's standard tooling without manual runs.

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