IntelliJ shows decompiled .class file instead of source code

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1. Get the source files

Make sure you have downloaded and installed the source files of the JDK.

I’m on Arch Linux and installed them with pacman -S openjdk8-src which put a src.zip into /usr/lib/jvm/java-8-openjdk/. We’ll use that zip file in the next step.

To list source packages of different JDK versions, do pacman -Ss "openjdk.*-src".

See this question on how to get the source files for your specific platform.

2. Point IntelliJ to the source files

In your module settings (open them with F4) under “Platform Settings” → “SDKs” → “Sourcepath”, add the zip file containing the JDK source to your project JDK (be sure to pick the right JDK if IntelliJ lists more than one JDK) using the button with the plus sign:

Sourcepath screenshot

3. Jump into the source

Select a JDK class, like Comparator, using IntelliJ’s Search Everywhere or Ctrl+b with the cursor on the name of the class.

Comparator source

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