Working with Play is easy. You don’t even need a sophisticated IDE, because Play compiles and refreshes the modifications you make to your source files automatically, so you can easily work using a simple text editor.

However, using a modern Java or Scala IDE provides cool productivity features like auto-completion, on-the-fly compilation, assisted refactoring and debugging.

Eclipse

Generate configuration

Play provides a command to simplify Eclipse configuration. To transform a Play application into a working Eclipse project, use the eclipsify command:

[My first application] $ eclipsify

You then need to import the application into your Workspace with the File/Import/General/Existing project… menu (compile your project first).

You can also start your application with play debug run and then you can use the Connect JPDA launcher using Debug As to start a debugging session at any time. Stopping the debugging session will not stop the server.

Workaround Scala Template with Play 2.0 RC2 and Scala IDE : run your application using~ run to enable direct compilation on file change. This way scala templates files are auto discovered when you create new template in view and auto compiled when file change. If you use normal run then you have to hit Refresh on you browser each time. Play team will check this issue with Scala IDE team. (source : http://bit.ly/wCyR5j)

If you make any important changes to your application, such as changing the classpath, useeclipsify again to regenerate the configuration files.

Tip: Do not commit Eclipse configuration files when you work in a team!

The generated configuration files contain absolute references to your framework installation. These are specific to your own installation. When you work in a team, each developer must keep his Eclipse configuration files private.

IntelliJ

Generate configuration

Play provides a command to simplify Intellij IDEA configuration. To transform a Play application into a working IDEA module, use the idea command:

[My first application] $ idea

You then need to import the application into your project (File->New Module->Import existing Module)

Tip: There is an Intellij IDEA issue regarding building Java based Play2 apps while having the scala plugin installed. Until it's fixed, the recommended workaround is to disable scala plugin.

To debug, first add a debug configuration

• Open Run/Debug Configurations dialog, then click Run -> Edit Configurations
• Add a Remote configuration, then select Remote
• Configure it:
  • Set a name
  • Transport: Socket
  • Debugger mode: Attach
  • Host: localhost
  • Port: 9999
  • Select module you imported
• Close dialog - click Apply

Start play in debug mode:

$ play debug

which should print:

Listening for transport dt_socket at address: 9999

Set some breakpoints. Run the web app by executing the task play (again I had to do this in same terminal I ran play debug). Finally, browse http://localhost:9000. IntelliJ should stop at your breakpoint.

If you make any important changes to your application, such as changing the classpath, use ideaagain to regenerate the configuration files.