Riders awful default Settings
TLDR: Is there any way to have a “no bullshit” minimum settings version of Rider like if you Install VSCode with the C# plugin?
This is kind of a rant - but maybe i am just overlooking something.
I am using Rider with Unity because of the incredible Debugger. But am so unbelivably frustrated by the Editor and Code writing in general. It took me more than a day to get rid of all the automatic features that are enabled by default that are constantly getting in my way. I am still to this day not at a stage where i can type in peace.
AutoComplete:
Why is this whole AI auto complete thing on by default. Why is the default way to complete a suggested line by hitting the “.” (dot) key ? I cant even type “System.Collections” anymore because everytime it just autocompletes it to something else. I have to type “System” then hit Escape then type “.” then “Collections”. It drives me insane.
Formatting:
I just want Rider to format my C# code when i hit CTRL+S without it adding anything, giving me suggestions or any of the other 1000 things it does. When i install VSCode and add the C# plugin, this is the out of the box behavior. Nothing gets in your way.
Visual Clutter:
When starting Rider for the first time, theres so much on screen that i can hardly read my own code. I know that a null check is expensive, its nice that Rider is able to analyze this but please put this behind a toggle or a seperate code analyzer window (maybe that exists). On top of that it underlines it in red, so i constantly think i have mistyped something or there is some kind of error in my code. And those things are everywhere. Fire symbol for expensive Methods, Reference info enabled by default , Typo checks and underlinings , the list goes on and on and on.
Settings:
Its so frustrating to disable all of this because the settings do not help me. I have to use a chatbot to actually find the settings for the issues that i face. Some basic features like the code formatting are hidden behind so many different checkboxes and have dependencies to other settings. On top of that, if you save your change, the settings window just closes. Why cant i just change a setting and see what it does without needing to reopen the Settings window, find the setting i change and revert it back again if i do not like the result.
Summary:
As i said rider has an incredible debugger and the Linux support is one big reason i am still trying to make it work. But writing with the IDE makes me want to throw my PC out the window. I am seriously considering writing in VSCode and just Debugging in Rider.
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Thanks for your feedback. As an IDE with a rich set of features, we understand that the default setup may not always align with every user’s preferences. While there isn't a single option to disable all the features you mentioned at once (as they span different categories), I’d like to guide you through adjusting them individually:
AutoComplete
The editing settings are mostly located under Settings | Editor | General | Code Completion and Typing Assistance. The issue you encounter sounds like it comes from inline completion using the Cloud language model. You may disable this feature completely or switch to “Local” option:
Formatting
Rider offers three default configurations for code formatting and cleanup:
To minimize unwanted changes: go to Settings | Tools | Actions on Save | Reformat and Cleanup Code, then select Built-in: Reformat Code and choose whether it applies to the whole file or changed lines.
Visual Clutter
You can use 'Pencils' widget to adjust inpsection highlights - for example, showing only show Errors, and hiding all “Style Inspections”:
Additionally, you can fine-tune specific inspections directly from the editor(via Context actions):
Settings
We recognize the inconvenience of the modal Settings window (which prevents side-by-side comparison). This is already on our radar and is scheduled for improvement in the 2026.3 release.
If there is a misunderstanding about your concern, please provide details with a screenshot - I'm happy to assist further.