Rainbow Brackets Integration with JetBrains Code With Me

Rainbow Brackets enhances code readability by colorizing matching brackets and parentheses. Its integration with JetBrains' Code With Me collaborative client has specific limitations and requirements.

Integration and Behavior

Rainbow Brackets relies on the IntelliJ platform module com.intellij.modules.lang, which is not available in the Code With Me client, JetBrains Client, or IntelliJ Remote Development environments. As a result, the plugin does not function for guest participants in Code With Me sessions or in remote development scenarios where the required module is missing. When installed on the client side, the plugin may appear in the marketplace and configuration dialogs, but bracket colorization will not work for remote participants; all tags remain the default color (typically white) and no highlighting is applied during collaborative editing sessions. This limitation is confirmed by both user reports and maintainer responses source.

For Code With Me sessions, the plugin should be installed only on the host machine. Installing Rainbow Brackets on the client side can trigger alerts about unlocking and module dependency issues. When installed solely on the host, the plugin works as expected for the host user, but guests will not see bracket colorization unless their environment also supports the required module source.

Known Issues and Resolutions

Previously, Rainbow Brackets did not colorize brackets correctly in remote sessions, even when installed. This issue was resolved by updating the plugin to use TextAttributesKey instead of TextAttributes, improving compatibility with remote development features. The relevant issue was closed after this fix was implemented, and the plugin now works for the host in supported environments source, source.

Users have reported that in remote SSH or WSL2 sessions, Rainbow Brackets must be installed on both the client IDE and the server for colorization to work. However, for Code With Me, only the host installation is recommended to avoid configuration and dependency issues source.

Limitations

• Rainbow Brackets does not support bracket colorization for Code With Me guests due to missing platform modules.
• Only the host in a Code With Me session will see bracket colorization if the plugin is installed and the environment supports it.
• Installing the plugin on the client side in Code With Me sessions is not recommended and may cause errors or alerts.
• JetBrains Client does not support paid plugin features, and plugin licenses are not detected in this environment; only free features are available source.

For the latest compatibility and installation recommendations, refer to the plugin's GitHub issues and documentation.