Remote with the thin client
In this development mode, a powerful remote machine is used to execute all IDE operations and build, run, and debug your code. The IDE itself is running on a thin local client.
A remote host is a physical or virtual machine hosting the source code and running a headless CLion instance to perform most of the IDE functions. A thin local client, for example, a laptop, connects to the server and is used for actual development.
note
Currently, you can not initiate remote development sessions from CLion, but you can do so through JetBrains Gateway.
JetBrains Gateway is used as an entry point to connect to a remote server via SSH. It launches JetBrains Client, which is a thin client that enables you to work with your remote project.
You can use one of the following ways to launch JetBrains Gateway:
Use CLion and the enabled Remote Development Gateway plugin in it. In this case, when you open the CLion welcome screen, the Remote Development option will be available immediately and you can connect to your remote server using SSH.
Use the JetBrains Toolbox App to download JetBrains Gateway.
Separately download and install JetBrains Gateway.
Depending on your local OS, use one of the following installers:
macOSmacOS Apple SiliconWindowsLinuxDownload the JetBrains Gateway 2021.3.dmg.
Licensing
The licensing of remote with the chin client is handled on the local machine and is covered by your existing active IDE license. No license information is passed to or saved on the remote server. You can start the IDE backend without entering the license information since JetBrains Gateway is a free utility application.
The license will be checked when you connect to the launched IDE backend. Product in the license on your local machine should match the remote backend IDE. In this context nothing is changed from the way how the regular local CLion is handling the licensing.