IDE Services Server Auto Discovery: Where Is Its Cache File Stored?

Question

Does the previously used IDE Services server URL stored in the IDE cache refer to the license saved in the <ide>.key file located in the %APPDATA%/Roaming/JetBrains/ folder? How does the license information and server URL management function during IDE startup?

Answer

Yes, the <ide>.key file located in %APPDATA%\Roaming\JetBrains\ stores the previously used server URL and effectively acts as the IDE cache. During the server discovery process, the IDE automatically populates the Server address field with that URL. It then uses it to communicate with the IDE Services server to request license allocation.

Additional Notes:

1. You may decode the <ide>.key cache file and you will see your IDE Services server URL in it - https://<ide-services-domain-name>.jetbrains-ide-services.com.
2. If you use the Toolbox App, the IDE checks for the server URL populated through the application as part of the auto-discovery process. Further details and methods invoked at IDE startup are available in the documentation here: https://www.jetbrains.com/help/ide-services/Automatic_server_discovery.html#methods_invoked_at_startup.