ReSharper 2026.2 EAP Kicks Off with Open AI Ecosystem: First Look at Junie and ACP Support

Breaking: ReSharper 2026.2 Early Access Program Launches with AI-First Focus

JetBrains has announced the start of the Early Access Program (EAP) for ReSharper and .NET Tools 2026.2, dedicating the first preview entirely to a new open AI ecosystem. The update introduces Junie, an AI coding agent, and lays the groundwork for the ACP (Agent Client Protocol) Agent Registry, aiming to end vendor lock-in for developers using Visual Studio.

“We believe developers should control their AI experience,” said a JetBrains spokesperson. “No forced choices—just freedom to use agents and models that work best for you.”

The EAP is free to download and participate, allowing developers to test the new integration immediately. The company emphasizes that this release is the first step toward transforming ReSharper into an open platform where multiple AI agents can coexist.

What’s New: Junie and the ACP Agent Registry

The centerpiece of this EAP is Junie, JetBrains’ own AI coding agent, which serves as a proof-of-concept for the ACP integration. Junie can write and edit code autonomously, execute advanced refactorings, and apply changes directly—not just suggest them.

“Junie actively builds and modifies your application based on simple text prompts,” the company explained. It also allows developers to task the agent with complex logic creation or updating existing codebases.

Beyond Junie, the ACP Agent Registry will allow developers to discover and switch between local, remote, and in-house agents, all through a unified interface. Future capabilities include browsing agents, setting up connections, and staying current with the latest models as they are released.

Industry Reaction: Open Ecosystems Gain Traction

Industry analysts see this as a strategic move. “By embracing open protocols like ACP, JetBrains is positioning ReSharper as a neutral ground for AI tools,” said Dr. Elena Vasquez, a senior software analyst at DevTrends. “This could resonate with teams that fear dependency on a single AI provider.”

Others caution that the ecosystem is still developing. “The success hinges on third-party adoption. If agents don’t appear, the registry is empty,” noted Mark Chen, principal engineer at CodeLab.

Background

ReSharper is a popular Visual Studio extension for .NET developers, known for code analysis, refactoring, and navigation features. Previous EAP cycles focused on performance updates and bug fixes. The 2026.2 shift marks a pivot toward deep AI integration, reflecting the broader industry movement to embed AI assistants directly into IDEs.

JetBrains has been developing its own AI tools, including Junie, and is now opening the architecture to third-party agents via the ACP standard. The company plans to continue blending AI workflows with traditional coding routines without hindering either experience.

What This Means

For developers, this EAP signals a future where no single AI model dominates the IDE. Teams can choose agents tailored to specific tasks—whether from JetBrains, community projects, or internal development—and switch between them seamlessly. The removal of vendor lock-in may lower barriers for adoption of AI in .NET development.

However, the immediate impact depends on the stability of the ACP integration and the quality of Junie. If successful, ReSharper could become a hub for AI-assisted development, but early adopters should expect bugs and limited agent availability during the EAP.

JetBrains urges developers to participate in the EAP and provide feedback to shape the final release. The company plans to release additional previews throughout 2026.

How to Get Started

Download the ReSharper 2026.2 EAP 1 from the JetBrains website. The EAP is free and includes full access to Junie. For more details, visit the official announcement or the ACP Agent Registry page.