Welcome to PyCharm 2026.1. This release doesn’t just add features – it rethinks how you build, debug, and scale Python projects. From a brand-new debugging engine powered by debugpy to first-class uv support on remote targets and expanded JavaScript support in the free tier, this version is all about removing friction and letting you focus on your code. Whether you’re working locally, over SSH, or inside Docker, PyCharm now adapts to your setup instead of the other way around.
In this post, we’ll explore the highlights of this update and show you how these improvements can streamline your daily workflow.
Standardizing the future of debugging with debugpy
PyCharm now offers the option to use debugpy as the default debugger backend, providing the industry-standard Debug Adapter Protocol (DAP) that aligns the IDE with the broader Python ecosystem. By replacing complex, legacy socket-waiting logic with a more stable connection model, race conditions and timing edge cases will no longer interfere with your debugging experience.
A modern foundation for Python development
The new engine provides full native support for PEP 669, utilizing Python 3.12’s low-impact monitoring API to significantly reduce debugger overhead compared to the legacy sys.settrace()
approach. This ensures that your debugging sessions are faster and less intrusive. Furthermore, the migration introduces comprehensive asyncio
support. You can now use the full suite of debugger tools, such as the debug console and expression evaluation, directly within async contexts for modern frameworks like FastAPI and aiohttp.
Reliability across environments
Beyond performance improvements, debugpy simplifies the Attach to Process experience by providing a standardized approach for Docker containers, remote servers on AWS, Azure, or GCP, and local running processes. For specialized workflows, we have introduced a new Attach to DAP run configuration. This allows you to connect to targets using the debugpy.listen()
command, eliminating the friction of manual connection management and allowing you to focus on your code instead of debugging infrastructure.
Support for uv as a remote interpreter
Many developers work on projects where the code and dependencies live on a remote server – whether via SSH, in WSL, or inside Docker. By connecting PyCharm to a remote machine and using uv as the interpreter, you can keep the environment fully synchronized, ensure package management works as expected, and run projects smoothly – just as if everything were local.
Free professional web development for everyone
With PyCharm 2026.1, the core IDE experience continues to evolve as we bring a broader set of professional-grade web tools to all users for free. Everyone, from beginners to backend-first developers, now has access to a substantial set of JavaScript, TypeScript, and CSS features, as well as advanced navigation and code intelligence previously available only with a Pro subscription.
For a complete breakdown of all new features, check out this blog post.
Advancements in AI integration
PyCharm is evolving into an open platform that gives you the freedom to bring the AI tools of your choice directly into your professional development workflow. This release focuses on providing a flexible ecosystem where you can orchestrate the best models and agents available today.
The ACP Registry: Your gateway to new agents
Keeping up with the rapid pace of AI development can be a challenge, with new coding agents appearing almost daily. To help you navigate this dynamic landscape, we’ve launched the ACP Registry – a built-in directory of AI coding agents integrated directly into your IDE via the Agent Client Protocol.
Whether you want to experiment with open-source agents like OpenCode or specialized tools like Gemini CLI, you can now discover and install them in just a few clicks. If you have a custom setup or an agent that isn’t listed yet, you can easily add it via the acp.json
configuration, giving you the flexibility to use your favorite tools, with no strings attached.
Native OpenAI Codex integration and BYOK
OpenAI Codex is now natively integrated into the JetBrains AI chat. This means you can tackle complex development tasks without switching to a browser or copy-pasting code between windows.
We’ve also introduced Bring Your Own Key (BYOK) support. You can now connect your own API keys from OpenAI, Anthropic, or other compatible providers – including local models – directly in the IDE settings. This allows you to choose the setup that fits your workflow and budget best, while keeping all your AI-powered development inside PyCharm.
Stay in the flow with next edit suggestions
Small changes in your code often trigger a cascade of mechanical follow-up edits. Adding a parameter to a function or renaming a symbol can lead to errors popping up across your entire file.
Next edit suggestions (NES) offer a smarter, lightweight alternative to asking an AI agent for a full rewrite. As you modify your code, PyCharm proactively predicts the most likely next changes and suggests them inline.
- Effortless consistency: Update all call sites across a file with a simple Tab Tab experience.
- Stay in control: Move step by step through changes rather than reviewing large, automated diffs.
- No quota required: Use NES without consuming AI credits – available without consuming the AI quota of your JetBrains AI Pro subscription.
This natural evolution of code completion keeps you in the flow, making those small cascading fixes feel almost effortless.
All of the updates mentioned above are just a glimpse of what’s new in PyCharm 2026.1.
There is even more under the hood, including performance improvements, stability upgrades, and thoughtful refinements across the IDE that make everyday development smoother and faster.
To explore the full list of updates, check out our What’s New page.
As always, we would love to hear your feedback. Your insights help us shape the future of PyCharm – and we cannot wait to see what you build next.