Buf announced a released language server protocol (LSP) server for Protobuf, providing IDE features such as go to definition, code completion, and reference finding. The LSP is a standard API for integrating language support into editors like VSCode, IntelliJ, and Neovim. Previously, Protobuf lacked native LSP support while many other programming languages offered it.

The Buf LSP server ships with the Buf CLI, which also includes the protocompile compiler. Developers can install the Buf extension in VSCode or configure Neovim using the buf lsp serve command. Installation instructions include adding the extension or configuring the nvim-lspconfig repository and setting up the LSP configuration in the editor.

Buf’s protocompile backend is described as faster and more flexible than the traditional protoc compiler. It uses a query-driven frontend and an updated abstract syntax tree to diagnose errors such as duplicate repeated modifiers, enabling incremental compilation and support for large workspaces. The architecture is designed to accommodate future Protobuf editions.

Buf plans to add automatic import fixes, tighter integration with buf.yaml, code completion for custom options, suggestions for field and enum numbers, and dedicated Protovalidate support with syntax highlighting for CEL snippets.