Welcome to the comprehensive guide on setting up your Kotlin project in 2026. Whether you're a beginner or looking to refresh your setup process, this article will walk you through each step to get your Kotlin environment ready for development.

Prerequisites and Tools Needed

  • Java Development Kit (JDK) 17 or later
  • IntelliJ IDEA (Community or Ultimate Edition)
  • Gradle build system
  • Git for version control
  • Optional: Kotlin plugin for IDE enhancements

Installing Java Development Kit (JDK)

Download and install the latest JDK from the official Oracle website or adopt OpenJDK. Follow the installation prompts specific to your operating system. After installation, verify by opening your terminal or command prompt and typing:

java -version

Setting Up IntelliJ IDEA

Download IntelliJ IDEA from the JetBrains website. Once installed, launch the IDE and configure the JDK path in the settings. Installing the Kotlin plugin is recommended for enhanced features.

Creating a New Kotlin Project

In IntelliJ IDEA, select File > New > Project. Choose Kotlin from the options. Select JVM | IDEA as the project type. Name your project and choose a location. Ensure the JDK is correctly set.

Configuring the Build System with Gradle

During project setup, select Gradle as the build system. Use the default Gradle wrapper option for better compatibility. In the project files, you will see build.gradle.kts for Kotlin DSL or build.gradle for Groovy.

Sample build.gradle.kts configuration:

plugins {
    kotlin("jvm") version "1.8.0"
}

repositories {
    mavenCentral()
}

dependencies {
    implementation(kotlin("stdlib"))
}

Writing Your First Kotlin Program

Create a new Kotlin file in src/main/kotlin. Name it Main.kt. Enter the following code:

fun main() {
    println("Hello, Kotlin in 2026!")
}

Running Your Kotlin Application

Build your project by clicking the Build menu and selecting Build Project. Run the application by clicking the Run icon or pressing Shift + F10. The console should display:

Hello, Kotlin in 2026!

Version Control with Git

Initialize a Git repository in your project folder with git init. Create a .gitignore file to exclude build files and IDE configs. Commit your changes regularly to track progress and collaborate effectively.

Next Steps and Resources

Explore Kotlin documentation, join community forums, and experiment with more complex projects. Keep your tools updated for the latest features and improvements in Kotlin 2026.