Breaking: JetBrains Unveils TeamCity 2026.1 with AI Integration
JetBrains has announced TeamCity 2026.1, a major update that brings artificial intelligence directly into the CI/CD workflow. The new release introduces a CLI tool embedded with AI agent skills and expands pipeline configuration options to include both Kotlin DSL and YAML.
The most significant feature is the TeamCity CLI, which now supports agents like Claude Code, Codex, and JetBrains Junie. This allows developers to run TeamCity commands from their terminal, while MCP (Model Context Protocol) support connects the system to leading AI tools across environments.
A livestreamed walkthrough is scheduled for May 12 at 18:00 CEST at jb.gg/6u3izo. The session will be hosted by Daniel Gallo, Solutions Engineering Lead, and Ernst Haagsman, Product Manager.
AI-Powered CLI and Agent Skills
“The new TeamCity CLI empowers developers to stay in their terminal while leveraging AI coding agents,” said Daniel Gallo in a statement. “This reduces context switching and accelerates build management.”
The CLI includes built-in agent skills that understand TeamCity commands, enabling natural language interaction for tasks like triggering builds, viewing logs, or managing agents. MCP support extends this to external AI tools, creating a unified interface for CI/CD operations.
Pipeline Flexibility: Kotlin DSL and YAML
TeamCity 2026.1 also addresses a long-standing request by adding YAML support alongside the existing Kotlin DSL for pipeline definitions. This dual support gives teams the flexibility to choose their preferred configuration language.
“We designed pipelines to be more flexible and intuitive,” added Ernst Haagsman. “Whether you're a Kotlin enthusiast or prefer YAML, TeamCity now meets you where you are.”
Background
TeamCity, JetBrains' continuous integration and deployment platform, has been a staple in enterprise DevOps for over a decade. The 2026.1 release marks a strategic shift toward AI-assisted workflows, responding to growing demand for intelligent automation in CI/CD.
Prior versions focused on scalability and on-premises deployment. This update emphasizes developer experience and integration with modern AI toolchains, including popular coding agents from Anthropic, GitHub, and JetBrains.
Enterprise features in the update include enhanced security, audit logs, and role-based access control—now seamlessly integrated with the new AI capabilities to ensure compliance and governance remain strong.
What This Means
The inclusion of AI agents in the CLI positions TeamCity to compete with emerging AI-native CI/CD tools. Developers can expect faster troubleshooting, automated pipeline optimization, and reduced manual overhead.
For enterprise teams, the dual pipeline support removes a barrier to adoption: YAML brings familiarity for teams migrating from other systems, while Kotlin DSL retains power users. Combined with MCP, TeamCity becomes a hub for AI-driven development operations.
The upcoming livestream on May 12 will demonstrate these features and outline the roadmap for 2026.2 and beyond. “We are committed to evolving TeamCity into an intelligent platform that adapts to how teams want to work,” said Haagsman. Registration is open now at the link above.
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