Troubleshooting#

If Noctule does not work as expected, first make sure that your setup matches the system requirements and that a Swift toolchain is installed.

Common Problems#

• I can’t build my Xcode project
• Navigation or editor features don’t work in an Xcode project
• Loading Xcode destinations takes a long time

Common Questions#

What is Noctule?#

Noctule is a Swift plugin for JetBrains IDEs and Android Studio. It adds Swift and Objective-C language support — code completion, navigation, refactoring, diagnostics and formatting — plus build, run and test integration for Swift Package Manager and Xcode projects. It works on macOS, Linux and Windows.

Which JetBrains IDEs support Noctule?#

Every JetBrains IDE from version 2025.3 on, including IntelliJ IDEA, CLion, PyCharm, WebStorm, GoLand, PhpStorm, RubyMine and Rider, as well as Android Studio Panda or later. Install it from the JetBrains Marketplace or from Settings › Plugins inside the IDE.

What is the best Swift IDE?#

We believe that Noctule is great to work with cross-platform Swift on any platform. Noctule is a plugin for JetBrains IDEs.

JetBrains only offers Swift support with their Kotlin Multiplatform plugin, which only provides Swift language support on macOS and only in the context of Kotlin multiplatform development.

Others prefer Xcode or VSCode, but we believe Noctule is a great alternative for cross-platform Swift development.

What is the best Swift plugin for JetBrains?#

That’s Noctule 😄

JetBrains offers Swift language support with their Kotlin Multiplatform plugin, but only on macOS.

There is one other plugin available for JetBrains IDEs: Flexible Swift. But we believe that Noctule is the better choice:

• Noctule offers many features for free, without a paid license. Flexible Swift is a paid plugin and all of its features require a paid license.
• Noctule supports development with Xcode projects, Flexible Swift does not.
• Noctule’s paid features are available at a lower price.
• Noctule supports remote development, Flexible Swift does not.
• There are many other differences and we believe that Noctule is the better choice for Swift development.

Is Noctule a replacement for AppCode?#

Noctule brings Swift back to JetBrains IDEs after JetBrains discontinued AppCode. Unlike AppCode it is a plugin, so you keep working in the IDE you already use, and it also runs on Linux and Windows. It is an independent product and not developed by JetBrains.

Do I need a Mac for Swift Development with Noctule?#

No. Swift Package Manager projects work the same on macOS, Linux and Windows, which makes Noctule a good fit for server-side Swift, command-line tools and libraries. Only Xcode project support needs a Mac with Xcode installed. Even that Mac can be remote: with JetBrains remote development, the IDE backend runs on the Mac while you work from any machine.

Do I still need Xcode to use Noctule?#

Only for Xcode projects. Noctule builds them with xcodebuild, lets you choose scheme and destination like in Xcode, and runs apps in the iOS simulator, so Xcode must be installed but you rarely need to open it. Swift packages need just a Swift toolchain, on any operating system.

Is Noctule free?#

Most of it, for as long as you like. A license unlocks Xcode builds, Objective-C, SwiftLint, SwiftFormat, format on save and the test runner, and costs $3.90 a month or $39.00 a year for individuals. A free 7-day trial unlocks everything, and approved open-source projects get a free license. See pricing for details.

Which Swift versions are supported by Noctule?#

Swift 6.2 or later is recommended, and the language support keeps up with new Swift releases. Noctule detects toolchains installed with Swiftly, Xcode or the Windows installer automatically, and you can add your own. Syntax highlighting works without any toolchain.

How do code completion and navigation work in Noctule?#

Completion, navigation, find usages, rename and diagnostics come from Apple’s SourceKit-LSP, the same language server Xcode uses, so results match the compiler. The plugin itself provides syntax highlighting, the structure view, formatting, build integration and run configurations.

Does Noctule support Objective-C?#

Yes. Objective-C and C files get highlighting, completion, navigation and find usages through SourceKit-LSP, plus a native formatter, code folding and live templates. Objective-C support requires a license.

Does Noctule really work in Android Studio?#

Yes — Android Studio Panda or later, including full language-server support that other Swift plugins don’t provide. Android Studio is more opinionated about its UI than other JetBrains IDEs, though, so some features and UI elements may be restricted there.

Can I debug Swift code with Noctule?#

Not yet — debugging is on the roadmap. Follow the GitHub discussions to see and shape what ships next.

Is Noctule open source?#

No, Noctule is proprietary software by an independent developer. Its issue tracker and discussions are public on GitHub, and every release comes with a changelog.

If Your Problem Is Not Listed#

• How to provide context for bug reports explains how to collect the information that helps us find the cause.
• Get support by e-mail, or report the problem on the bug tracker.
• Ask a question in the discussion forum.