Things Developers Want from Their Agentic IDEs in 2025 (redmonk.com)

In 2025, the landscape of AI development tools has dramatically evolved from traditional AI code assistants to what are now termed "Agentic IDEs." This shift reflects a growing demand for tools that not only provide suggestions but also take autonomous actions across an entire codebase, allowing developers to delegate entire workflows while focusing on other tasks. Developers are seeking advanced features like background agents that can execute tasks independently, persistent memory for tracking project history, and predictable pricing structures to enhance their overall efficiency and workflow management. As the market becomes increasingly crowded with offerings like Cognition's Cascade, AWS's Kiro, IBM's Project Bob, and Google's Antigravity, developers are articulating more sophisticated needs. Key priorities include multi-agent orchestration for running simultaneous tasks, spec-driven development for clearer communication of project goals, and human-in-the-loop controls for ensuring oversight and safety in AI decisions. This demand reflects a paradigm where developers are not just looking for assistance but are redefining the core capabilities and expectations of IDEs in an AI-driven future.