Using the Chilkat Java Library in IntelliJ IDEA

A step-by-step guide for adding the Chilkat Java library to an IntelliJ IDEA project on Windows, Linux, and macOS. The Chilkat Java library has two parts — a JAR (the classes) and a native library — and both must be set up.

Examples: Chilkat Java Examples  ·  Documentation: Chilkat Java Reference

1. Download and unzip the Chilkat Java library

   From Chilkat Java Downloads, get the build for your OS and JDK, and unzip it. Each download contains the JAR and the platform's native library:

   chilkat.jar                 the Chilkat Java classes
   chilkat.dll                 native library (Windows)
   libchilkat.so              native library (Linux)
   libchilkat.jnilib          native library (macOS)

   (Your download contains the JAR plus the one native library for your platform.)

2. Add chilkat.jar to your project

   In IntelliJ IDEA, open File → Project Structure → Libraries, click + → Java, and select chilkat.jar. Apply it to your module when prompted.

   (Alternatively, copy chilkat.jar into a lib folder in your project, right-click it, and choose Add as Library.)

3. Tell the JVM where the native library is

   The native library must be on the JVM's java.library.path at runtime. In IntelliJ, edit your Run/Debug Configuration and add a VM option pointing at the folder that contains the native library:

   Windows

   -Djava.library.path=C:\path\to\chilkat

   Linux / macOS

   -Djava.library.path=/path/to/chilkat

   Point it at the directory containing chilkat.dll / libchilkat.so / libchilkat.jnilib — not at the file itself.

   If you don't see VM options, click Modify options → Add VM options in the Run/Debug Configuration dialog.

4. Load the library, unlock, and use Chilkat

   Load the native library once (a static block is convenient), unlock, then use any Chilkat class:

   import com.chilkatsoft.CkGlobal;
   import com.chilkatsoft.CkZip;
   
   public class Main {
   
       static {
           System.loadLibrary("chilkat");   // no "lib" prefix, no extension
       }
   
       public static void main(String[] args) {
           CkGlobal glob = new CkGlobal();
           glob.UnlockBundle("Anything for 30-day trial");
   
           CkZip zip = new CkZip();
           System.out.println(zip.version());
       }
   }

5. Run

   Run the configuration. If the Chilkat version prints, the JAR and native library are both set up correctly.

xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine /path/to/chilkat

← Chilkat Java Downloads