Decompile Java Class Files ((install)) Jun 2026

Java is a compiled language. When a developer writes source code ( .java files), they are compiled into bytecode ( .class files) to be executed by the Java Virtual Machine (JVM). Decompilation is the process of reverse-engineering this bytecode back into human-readable Java source code.

Decompiling Java class files is a standard practice for developers.

Decompiled code is not the same as the original source. You will notice differences: decompile java class files

If you have a Java project open in IntelliJ:

# Download procyon-decompiler java -jar procyon-decompiler.jar MyClass.class -o output/ Java is a compiled language

<plugin> <groupId>org.jboss.jandex</groupId> <artifactId>jandex-maven-plugin</artifactId> <version>1.0.0</version> </plugin>

(Excellent for Java 8+)

java -jar jd-cli.jar MyClass.class -od decompiled/