IntelliJ Platform Plugin SDK Help

Inspections

Main
Inspections configuration on Settings | Editor | Inspections page or in Configure Inspections dialog.

Inspection names, descriptions, and editor messages should be short and descriptive. Follow the rules for short and clear texts and punctuation in addition to the rules described below.

Group Names

Use the names of technologies and frameworks as titles for inspection groups, for example, Ant, Android, Java.

Inspection Names

Limit a name by ~50 symbols so that it fits the line in the list of inspections in settings.

An inspection name should reflect the code problem that this inspection detects, for example:

Correct

Do not just describe the type of code that is being checked:

Not a problem

When describing a problem, prefer adjectives to complex nouns:

Noun2
Noun

Do not repeat the group titles in the inspection name:

Inspections group

Do not use the word "problems" or other words that describe how inspections function in general (i.e. "check", "inspection", or "issue"). An inspection is supposed to check code for problems, so mentioning it in its name is not needed.

Problem

Do not use the words "warning" and "error" in inspection names. Such a name will become incorrect and misleading if the inspection severity level changes.

Inspections warning

Do not use parentheses in inspection names. All supporting information can be moved to inspection descriptions.

Parens

If an inspection is powered by a third-party code quality tool, use the name of this tool in the inspection name.

Third party

Descriptions

Start descriptions with a verb, e.g. "Reports". Use "Run" for external tools. Do not begin a description with "This inspection".

Start

Provide details, such as:

  • A quick-fix if applicable:

Quick fix
  • A link to the language or framework docs explaining the correct usage of the syntax or feature, if applicable.

Link
  • Two code samples: the code with a problem and the code that bypasses this problem. By comparing the good code and the bad code, users can work out what causes the problem and how to avoid it. For example, for Java | Probable bugs | 'equals()' called on array adding such an example helps to understand the inspection quicker:

Inspections example
  • Information from external validators. Prefer separating inspections so that a user can control them individually. If it is not possible, list all problems that an inspection can detect:

Multiple

Be very specific about the code problems that an inspection can detect:

Vague

Remove unnecessary words:

  • Do not duplicate an inspection’s name in its description.

  • Inspections highlight code problems, it's their primary functionality. Don't explain it in descriptions:

    Purpuse

For text formatting, see Description text.

Editor messages

Describe the problem in the highlighted code in the current context.

Editor error message
For example, Unresolved reference inspection provides the exact reference name which is unresolved.

Use single quotes for the highlighted piece of code if it is referenced in the error message.

If a quick-fix is not available, describe in more detail a way to resolve the problem:

Editor error message detail

Quick-fixes

Describe the action that fixes the problem. For wording, follow the rules for buttons.

Use single quotes for the referenced piece of code.

Quick fix menu

Capitalization

Use sentence case for everything:

  • Inspection names and descriptions

  • Names of inspection groups and subgroups in settings

  • Inspection texts in editor tooltips and quick-fixes

Last modified: 16 May 2024