javaintellij-idea

Why does IntelliJ show "new *" in code editor after my class declaration and @Override annotation?

In IntelliJ IDEA 2025.1 (Ultimate Edition), I see the grey text new * on lines in the code editor. For example, on my class declaration and on an @Override annotation.

Screenshot:

screenshot of "new *" text appearing in IntelliJ

When hovering with the mouse pointer, the text turns blue with an underline, as if it is a hyperlink. But nothing happens when I click.

Solution

  • Git

    This is the "code author" inlay hint. You can toggle it here:

    enter image description here

    Usually, it will show a person's name, and the "+n" part shows how many other people have changed this part of the code. It will be shown as "new *", if that change is not committed yet. The star means "uncommitted changes", and "new" means this method/type has no author.

    Clicking on the inlay hint will normally show a view similar to a git blame, on the left of the line numbers. Naturally, you will not see anything for uncommitted changes.