Repolode
Submit
JetBrains

JetBrains/kotlin

The Kotlin programming language and its compiler, standard library, and build tooling, developed by JetBrains for multiplatform development.

View on GitHubWebsite
Stars
53,496
Forks
6,450
Open issues
478
Last commit
2 hours ago

What is it?

Kotlin is a concise, multiplatform programming language developed by JetBrains and contributors. This repository holds the language's compiler, standard library, Gradle and Maven plugins, and the IntelliJ IDEA plugin that provides Kotlin editing support.

The project targets several platforms, including the JVM, Native, JavaScript, and WebAssembly, so developers can share business logic across Android, iOS, desktop, and web. It is built with Gradle, which downloads the required IntelliJ dependencies and JDKs on first configuration.

The repository is the reference source for the language itself. Contributors who want to build the compiler, run the test suites (stdlib, reflect, Gradle plugin, and compiler tests), or produce a local compiler distribution start here.

Key features

  • 01Concise syntax designed to run on the JVM, native targets, JavaScript, and WebAssembly.
  • 02Kotlin Multiplatform support for sharing code across Android, iOS, desktop, and web.
  • 03Gradle and Maven plugins for integrating Kotlin into build pipelines.
  • 04IntelliJ IDEA plugin providing Kotlin editing support.
  • 05Gradle toolchains can auto-provision the JDKs needed to build the project.

Use cases

  • Building Android applications with Kotlin.
  • Sharing business logic between mobile, desktop, and web clients.
  • Contributing to or building the Kotlin compiler and standard library.
  • Developing Gradle or Maven plugins for Kotlin projects.

Quick start

  1. 1

    Clone the repository from GitHub

  2. 2

    Build the compiler distribution with Gradle

    ./gradlew dist

Things to know

  • The first build downloads large dependencies such as IntelliJ IDEA, so it can be slow or time out.
  • On Windows, you may need to enable long paths in git before cloning.

Topics

#programming-language#compiler#kotlin-multiplatform#jvm#webassembly#gradle#gradle-plugin#intellij-plugin#kotlin#kotlin-library

FAQ

What is kotlin?
The Kotlin programming language and its compiler, standard library, and build tooling, developed by JetBrains for multiplatform development. Kotlin is a concise, multiplatform programming language developed by JetBrains and contributors. This repository holds the language's compiler, standard library, Gradle and Maven plugins, and the IntelliJ IDEA plugin that provides Kotlin editing support.
Is kotlin free to use? What license does it have?
kotlin has no declared license. Its code is public, but without a license you have no explicit permission to reuse it; ask the author before relying on it.
Is kotlin still maintained?
Actively maintained. The last commit to kotlin was on Oct 22, 2026.
What can I use kotlin for?
Building Android applications with Kotlin. Sharing business logic between mobile, desktop, and web clients. Contributing to or building the Kotlin compiler and standard library. Developing Gradle or Maven plugins for Kotlin projects.
How do I install kotlin?
Clone the repository from GitHub Build the compiler distribution with Gradle: ./gradlew dist
Where can I get kotlin?
The source code and installation instructions are on GitHub: https://github.com/JetBrains/kotlin

Summary generated by AI from the project's README. GitHub stats refresh daily.

Related projects