Installation Methods
There are three ways to install JBoss Tools, in order of increasing effort & unpredictable results.
Automated Installer
JBoss Developer Studio includes most of JBoss Tools, plus some additional tools, and comes bundled in an easy-to-use installer for Windows, Mac, and Linux (32- and 64-bit). Try it free for 30 days (login required) or buy it now. Existing customers, log in here. Perfect for offline installs, as these bundles include everything you need to get up and running, including an optional full JBoss EAP server. Learn more here.
Update Site / p2 Repository
Choose to install some, or preferably all, of JBoss Tools from its update site, including automatically downloading required libraries. Simply add the update site URL to Eclipse's Install Manager ("p2"), and select the features you wish to install. While you may be able to download a zip of the update site for offline use, you must be connected to the internet to fetch any missing dependencies not included in the zip or already installed in your Eclipse. Click here for more details.
Zips
Download individual zips and unpack them into either your Eclipse's root folder or into its dropins folder. You are responsible for making sure that all requirements are met - missing dependencies will result in disabled functionality. However, this approach gives the most control over where you install, making it perfect for multiple offline installs. To resolve any missing dependencies, simply run Eclipse's Install Manager.
As of JBoss Tools 3.1.0, you can also download an Update zip, which must be installed using Eclipse's Install Manager ("p2"). Click here for more details.
Installation Types
Depending on how close to the bleeding edge you like to be, there are several types of releases available.
Stable Releases
Stable releases are - as indicated by their name - stable.
Development Milestones
Development builds, released once per milestone and only a few times a year, are fairly stable, but there may be some things which do not yet work. If you would like to try one of these milestones, we'd greatly appreciate the assistance in testing and reporting of issues in our issue tracker.
Nightly Builds
The bleeding edge contains the latest and greatest new features, but nothing is stable or guaranteed - yet. If you're using a Milestone and need a fix, you can update to the latest Nightly, or wait for the next Milestone.
Links
For the latest downloads and update sites, see www.jboss.org/tools/download.html