CLion

A cross-platform IDE for C and C++.

Published by JetBrains
Distributed by ComponentSource since 2007

Prices from: US$ 253.82 Version: 2026.2 NEW Updated: Jul 16, 2026

Screenshot of CLion

CLion 2026.2

Released: Jul 16, 2026

Updates in 2026.2

Features

Key updates

  • Debugger skill for AI agents - CLion 2026.2 introduces a bundled skill that gives AI agents direct access to the debugger. Agents can use stack traces, breakpoints, and variable values to investigate root causes without interrupting their autonomous workflow. The skill works with GDB, LLDB, and DAP-based debuggers and is available for agents compatible with the ACP (Agent Client Protocol). To invoke it, use /clion-debugger in Claude Code or $clion-debugger in Codex.
  • Simplified debugger configuration with debug profiles - Previously, configuring the debugger meant dealing with different IDE settings. This became even more complicated for embedded projects, which add extra layers like hardware interfaces and probes. In 2026.2, there's a new settings section that provides a single, unified place to configure all your debugging setups - local, remote, and embedded. Whether you're using GDB, LLDB, SEGGER J-Link, or ST-LINK, everything now lives in Settings | Debugger | Debug Profiles.
  • Support for C++26 reflection - Compile-time reflection in C++26 is one of the most significant additions to the language in years. Previously, you might've had to write tedious boilerplate where code needed to inspect or iterate over types, functions, or members during compilation - for example, to list struct members or convert enum values to strings. C++26 reflection reduces this repetitive code by giving programs a standard way to access information about types, functions, variables, and other declarations at compile time. CLion 2026.2 adds highlighting and code analysis for reflection, available when using GCC 16.1 or newer. With this addition, the IDE now supports most C++26 features.

Embedded development

  • Support for the STM32 bundle manager - Setting up an STM32 embedded development environment currently requires installing the all-in-one STM32CubeCLT package, even if you only need specific tools or a particular bundle version. CLion 2026.2 adds support for STM32 Cube CLI, a new STM32 bundle manager that lets you download only the tools you need - such as CMake, ST-LINK GDB server, or GNU tools - and manage your development bundles directly in the IDE. You can use STM32 Cube CLI in the terminal or via Tools | STM32 Cube CLI. The IDE also supports installing project bundles to all environments at once when working with toolchains over WSL or SSH. When required bundles are missing, CLion shows a notification in the CMake output with a one-click action to install them.
  • Support for structs and arrays in live watches - With live watches, you can monitor global variables in real time - no need to stop the debugger or interrupt a program's execution. In this release, JetBrains have extended the support for variable types, making it possible to inspect arrays and structs. A new button also lets you clear the variable value history to keep the view focused on the current data.

Debugger

  • Easier inspection of fields and global variables - When debugging, CLion automatically tracks local variables in the Threads & Variables pane. To inspect fields and global variables, you previously had to set up watches manually, which added friction when they were just as relevant to the current context. CLion 2026.2 introduces a new debugger setting that automatically displays fields and global variables alongside locals, while keeping them visually distinct. This feature is enabled by default. You can disable it in Settings | Build, Execution, Deployment | Debugger | Data Views | C/C++ | Variables.
  • Configuration-specific breakpoints - When debugging multi-process systems or working with different target platforms, managing breakpoints across configurations can be cumbersome. Breakpoints set for one process or target may be triggered unexpectedly in another. CLion 2026.2 introduces a feature that makes it easier to isolate and diagnose issues in these cases. You can now assign breakpoints to a specific debug configuration in the Breakpoints dialog (Run | View Breakpoints). When that configuration is active, the debugger stops only at its assigned breakpoints and ignores the rest.

Build tools and project formats

  • Improvements to Bazel support - When starting a debug session, CLion now checks whether your project is built with debug symbols instead of automatically injecting debug flags. If debug symbols are missing, the IDE shows a warning, from which you can inject debug flags directly. The debug session will then continue. You can now switch configurations when multiple exist for the same file. Before, this was only possible for users of the legacy CLion Classic engine. The plugin automatically selects the correct configuration when you debug or run a target, ensuring your code insight always reflects the active target.
  • Easier CMake target renaming - CMake targets are executables, libraries, and utilities created with commands such as add_executable or add_library. Previously, renaming a target in CLion required manually editing all its occurrences. Now, you can rename targets in your CMakeLists.txt files automatically using the Rename refactoring action (Shift+F6). It updates all definitions and usages of the target name across your project.
  • Bundled toolchain updates
    • CMake updated to v4.3.
    • GCC updated to v15.2.0.
    • GDB updated to v17.1.
    • Mingw-w64 updated to v13.

Other updates

  • Removing the CLion Classic engine - CLion Classic, the legacy C and C++ engine, has been removed from the IDE and is now available only as a plugin on JetBrains Marketplace. This completes the transition to CLion Nova, which is now the default engine for everyone. To continue using CLion Classic, install the C/C++ Language Support via Classic Engine plugin from Settings | Plugins | Marketplace. Note that CLion Classic is no longer in development - all new language features are developed exclusively for CLion Nova.
  • Git improvements
    • Streamlined Git conflict resolution: In large projects, merges often result in dozens of conflicts. Resolve All Simple Conflicts is a new action that automatically resolves standard conflicts across the entire changeset at once, rather than opening each file individually. The new flow also provides an overview of resolved and unresolved files.
    • Enhanced Git worktree support: You can now use worktrees in WSL environments, clean up pruned worktrees directly from the IDE, and take advantage of more reliable worktree deletion scenarios.
    • Username autocomplete in code reviews: Type @ in a code review comment to get autocomplete suggestions for usernames from your GitHub or GitLab repository.
  • Terminal improvements
    • Drag-and-drop file and folder support: You can now drag a file or folder directly into the terminal to insert its path into the current command, or drop it onto a terminal tab to open a new tab rooted at that location. You can also paste images from the clipboard directly into supported CLI agent sessions.
    • Faster MCP setup: When you start a new AI session in the terminal without an MCP server configured, CLion now prompts you automatically to set one up and takes you directly to the relevant settings.
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