β AI in PhpStorm: a GPT that helps you
docs: English JsonRpcBundle docs, REST and MCP Bundle sections, package cards
en/articles/from-tg/tools/phpstorm-ai.md
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# AI in PhpStorm: a GPT that helps you
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JetBrains has long been making one of the best environments for PHP development, but with the arrival of AI Assistant the IDE has reached a new level. In short, it's ChatGPT built right into PhpStorm that "knows" where you are and what you're working on (provided you give it access to your code).
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I tried it in my work and really liked what I got out of it, but let's take things in order.
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:::warning subtitle="A bit of a cold shower"
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It's a paid feature. And no, it doesn't plug into the ChatGPT Plus or API subscription you're already paying for.
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JetBrains sells it as a separate service, so if you want GPT right in your editor you'll have to pay an extra $10 a month, or use the free plan with its limits.
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Spoiler: *for the most part, the free plan's limits are enough for everyday work β as long as you can still write code yourself.*
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:::
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## What can AI Assistant in PhpStorm do?
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### 1. Explaining code
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Select a fragment β `Alt+Enter` β `Explain code with AI`. The AI briefly explains what's going on here (taking the context into account).
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### 2. Generating tests
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From the same menu you can generate PHPUnit tests. Sometimes a bit raw, but as a template β very handy.
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### 3. Writing docblocks and comments
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Select a method and the AI describes what the method is, what parameters it takes and what it returns. All in the familiar `@param`, `@return` format.
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### 4. Refactor this with AI
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You can delegate improving a method, renaming variables, extracting dependencies β the AI will suggest options.
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*A refactoring suggestion in the chat. Screenshot from the [JetBrains documentation](https://www.jetbrains.com/help/ai-assistant/ai-chat.html) (IntelliJ IDEA; PhpStorm has the same interface)*
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### 5. Answering questions
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A built-in chat that remembers the file you're working on. For example:
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> "What does this code do?"
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> "How can I reduce the algorithm's complexity here?"
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> "Why is it better not to use isset here?"
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*Elements of the AI Chat window. Screenshot from the [JetBrains documentation](https://www.jetbrains.com/help/ai-assistant/ai-chat.html)*
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## Usage example
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```php
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class DiscountCalculator
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{
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public function calculate(float $price, int $percentage): float
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{
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return $price * (1 - $percentage / 100);
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}
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}
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```
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Select the method β `Explain code with AI`
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> "This method calculates a percentage discount and returns the new price. If you pass 100 UAH and 20%, the method returns 80."
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or select the method β `Alt+Enter` β `Generate Unit Tests`
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```php
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public function testCalculate(): void
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{
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$calc = new DiscountCalculator();
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$this->assertSame(80.0, $calc->calculate(100.0, 20));
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}
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```
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## Why do you need it?
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- Better understanding of code for those who don't read it well yet.
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- Getting rid of routine work.
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- Quick feedback right in the editor, with no switching to the browser when questions come up.
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## Conclusion
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> AI Assistant in PhpStorm is a genuinely convenient tool that saves me about an hour a day.
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> It helps me work more confidently with legacy code, other people's repositories, or when you just want to give your head a little rest.
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---
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*First published in Ukrainian in the Telegram channel [βCreated to dieβ](https://t.me/php_while_true/36) on June 23, 2025.*