logback.xml and running application from JetBrains IDEA IDE

logback.xml should be available in the root directory of your CLASSPATH. When you run your application, the full CLASSPATH is printed at the very beginning. When I put logback.xml in /src/main/resources (Maven project) it works without any problem. Also putting it in /src/test/resources with logback-test.xml name has presence.

Simply run:

getClass().getClassLoader().getResource("/logback.xml");

And see whether it returns something or null.

If you are not working with Maven project, open Project structure (Ctrl + Alt + Shift + S) and add in Modules section select folder containing logback.xml and mark it as Sources (blue icon).