March was a busy month for Kotlin, with a new language release, fresh tooling, ecosystem updates, and plenty of inspiration ahead of KotlinConf’26. From practical improvements to exciting steps in AI and multiplatform, there’s a lot worth exploring. Here are the stories that stood out to me most.
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<h2>Kodee-Approved Spotlight</h2>
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<img alt="" class="newsletter__post-img" src="https://blog.jetbrains.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/kotlin-2-3-20-blog-post.png" style="width: 100% !important; height: auto !important;" />
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<h3>Kotlin 2.3.20 is out</h3>
<p>A fresh Kotlin release always catches my attention, especially when it focuses on improving everyday development. Kotlin <strong>2.3.20</strong> brings bug fixes, performance improvements, and small but meaningful enhancements across the ecosystem. It’s the kind of update that strengthens the foundation and makes your day-to-day work more stable.</p>
<a class="btn" href="https://blog.jetbrains.com/kotlin/2026/03/kotlin-2-3-20-released/" target="_blank">See what’s new</a>
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<h3>Kotlin Foundation Grants Program winners announced</h3>
<p>Out of 117 applications, only five could walk away with a grant – and what a five. <a href="https://github.com/GitLiveApp/firebase-kotlin-sdk" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Firebase Kotlin SDK</a>, <a href="https://github.com/GradleUp/shadow" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Shadow Gradle Plugin</a>, <a href="https://github.com/lupuuss/Mokkery" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Mokkery</a>, <a href="https://github.com/Anamorphosee/stacktrace-decoroutinator" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Stack Trace Decoroutinator</a>, and <a href="https://github.com/varabyte/kobweb" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Kobweb</a> were selected to receive a USD 6,000 grant and recognized for their impact, technical quality, and real value to developers. I love seeing this kind of direct investment going to the tools that keep the whole ecosystem growing.</p>
<a class="btn" href="https://kotlinfoundation.org/news/grants-program-winners-25/" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Meet the winners</a>
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<img alt="KotlinConf’26 Speakers: In Conversation with Josh Long" class="newsletter__post-img" src="https://blog.jetbrains.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/Blog-Featured.png" style="width: 100% !important; height: auto !important;" />
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<h3>KotlinConf’26 speakers: In Conversation with Josh Long</h3>
<p>I loved this interview with Josh Long, Spring’s first developer advocate. He shares why <strong>Kotlin feels like a natural fit for Spring</strong> and how the JVM continues to be a strong platform for modern applications, including AI. It’s a great read if you’re working on backend systems or using Spring.</p>
<a class="btn" href="https://blog.jetbrains.com/kotlin/2026/03/kotlinconf-26-speakers-in-conversation-with-josh-long/" target="_blank">Read the interview</a>
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<img alt="KotlinConf 2026: Talks to Help You Navigate the Schedule" class="newsletter__post-img" src="https://blog.jetbrains.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/JB-social-BlogFeatured-1280x720-1-6.png" style="width: 100% !important; height: auto !important;" />
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<h3>KotlinConf’26: Talks to help you navigate the schedule</h3>
<p>KotlinConf’26 is almost here, and the full schedule is already live. With so many sessions across multiplatform, backend, AI, and language design, choosing what to attend can be a challenge. Take a look and start planning your agenda. Whether you’re building Kotlin Multiplatform (KMP) apps, scaling backend systems, or exploring AI in Kotlin, these sessions highlight where the ecosystem is heading and what you can apply in your own projects.</p>
<a class="btn" href="https://blog.jetbrains.com/kotlin/2026/03/kotlinconf-2026-talks-schedule/" target="_blank">Plan your schedule</a>
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<img alt="Android Gradle Plugin 9.0: What Kotlin developers need to know" class="newsletter__post-img" src="https://blog.jetbrains.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/maxresdefault.jpg" style="width: 100% !important; height: auto !important;" />
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<h3>Android Gradle Plugin 9.0: What Kotlin developers need to know</h3>
<p>Big changes are coming with the latest version of the Android Gradle plugin. In this video, Zac walks through what’s changing, why it matters, and how to upgrade your Kotlin projects with confidence.</p>
<a class="btn" href="https://youtu.be/m0Cq6J-V_RY?si=7Bf-9ejCtVa30Z_A" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Watch the video</a>
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<img alt="Experimental Swift Package Manager support for KMP" class="newsletter__post-img" src="https://blog.jetbrains.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/KM-social-BlogFeatured-1280x720-1.png" style="width: 100% !important; height: auto !important;" />
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<h3>Experimental Swift Package Manager support for KMP</h3>
<p>Here’s something I’m excited about this month – Swift Package Manager support has landed in Kotlin Multiplatform as an experimental feature. You can now <strong>import iOS dependencies directly from Swift packages</strong> or migrate existing CocoaPods integrations. There’s even an AI-assisted skill to help with the conversion!</p>
<a class="btn" href="https://kotl.in/kmp-swiftpm-import" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Try it out</a>
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<h3>IntelliJ IDEA’s new Kotlin coroutine inspections, explained</h3>
<p>If you’re working with coroutines, this is a must-read. IntelliJ IDEA now features new inspections designed to catch common pitfalls and guide you toward safer, more reliable coroutine usage. It’s a subtle enhancement that can make a significant impact on your daily development.</p>
<a class="btn" href="https://blog.jetbrains.com/idea/2026/03/intellij-idea-s-new-kotlin-coroutine-inspections-explained/" target="_blank">Explore the details</a>
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<img alt="Tracy: The AI Observability Library for Kotlin" class="newsletter__post-img" src="https://blog.jetbrains.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/KT-social-BlogFeatured-1280x720-1-1.png" style="width: 100% !important; height: auto !important;" />
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<h3>Introducing Tracy: The AI observability library for Kotlin</h3>
<p>Kotlin keeps growing in the AI space, and it’s just the beginning. Tracy is a new open-source observability library that helps you understand what’s happening inside AI-powered applications by tracking model calls, tool usage, execution time, and overall flow. No more guessing what your AI is up to.</p>
<a class="btn" href="https://blog.jetbrains.com/kotlin/2026/03/introducing-tracy-the-ai-observability-library-for-kotlin/" target="_blank">Explore Tracy</a>
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<h3>Java to Kotlin conversion comes to Visual Studio Code</h3>
<p>Kotlin is becoming more accessible outside of IntelliJ IDEA, too. We’ve released the <strong>J2K Converter</strong> extension, bringing Java-to-Kotlin conversion directly to VS Code. Just right-click any Java file and convert it in seconds. It’s powered by the same proven engine as our IntelliJ-based IDEs. I’ve already tried it – have you?</p>
<a class="btn" href="https://marketplace.visualstudio.com/items?itemName=JetBrains.j2k-vscode" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Download the extension</a>
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<h3>Building modular monoliths with Kotlin and Spring</h3>
<p>When thinking about architecture, I often like approaches that balance simplicity and scalability. Modular monolith architecture allows you to split the application into isolated modules with their own business logic, while still being deployed as a single artifact. It’s a read!</p>
<a class="btn" href="https://blog.jetbrains.com/kotlin/2026/02/building-modular-monoliths-with-kotlin-and-spring/" target="_blank">Read the article</a>
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<img alt="KotlinConf is just around the corner, and we’re recording short interviews with Kotlin developers who use Junie regularly." class="newsletter__post-img" src="https://blog.jetbrains.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/03/KT-social-BlogSocialShare-1280x720-1-5.png" style="width: 100% !important; height: auto !important;" />
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<h3>Love using Junie and Kotlin in your workflow?</h3>
<p>The camera’s on, and I’m ready! We’re recording short interviews with Kotlin developers who use Junie in their day-to-day workflows. Selected clips will be featured in a compilation video shown at KotlinConf. Want to share your experience and be part of it? Fill out the short form below.</p>
<a class="btn" href="https://surveys.jetbrains.com/s3/KotlinConf-Video-Sign-Up-Form" rel="noopener" target="_blank">Sign up here</a>
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Where you can learn more
- Workshops – KotlinConf 2026, May 20–22, Munich
- Spring AI Kotlin Tutorials – Build AI-Powered Applications
- Google Summer of Code 2026 Is Here: Contribute to Kotlin
- Elevating AI-Assisted Android Development and Improving LLMs With Android Bench