There is no dedicated menu item for the action to create a new scratch buffer, but you can use the Find Action popup Ctrl+Shift+A and run the New Scratch Buffer action.

If you close a tab with an empty scratch file, IntelliJ IDEA deletes it. IntelliJ IDEA numbers scratch files sequentially starting from 1. If it can't detect the language of the selection, IntelliJ IDEA will create the file with the same type and extension as the original file.

IntelliJ IDEA will attempt to detect the language of the selected fragment and use the appropriate type and extension. Select some text or code, press Alt+Enter and then select Create new scratch file from selection. You can run it the same way you would run an ordinary Java file: either click in the gutter or press Shift+F10.Īlternatively, you can create a new scratch file with the contents of the current selection in the editor. When you create a Java scratch file, IntelliJ IDEA automatically adds a class declaration and a main() method. Scratch files of the same type are automatically numbered and added to the Scratches and Consoles directory of the Project view. You can create up to five scratch buffers with default names, which are rotated and reused by clearing the content.įrom the main menu, select File | New | Scratch File or press Ctrl+Alt+Shift+Insert. They are also not stored in the project directory and can be opened from any other project. Scratch buffers can be used for simple task lists and notes to yourself. Scratch buffers are simple text files without any coding assistance features. You can use scratch files to draft Java code constructs, HTTP requests, JSON documents, and so on. You can create a scratch file with a draft of the method, which is not stored in your project directory but can be opened when you're working on any other project. For example, while working on one project, you may come up with an idea for a method that you could later use in another project. Scratch files are fully functional, runnable, and debuggable files that support syntax highlighting, code completion, and all other features for the corresponding file type. They are available for any project that you open with the specific IDE instance. Scratch files and buffers are not related to a specific project. Instead of switching to a different application, you can use scratch files and scratch buffers. Sometimes you may need to create temporary notes or draft up some code outside the project context.

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