Does Claude Code work in vs code?
Yes. Claude Code has an official VS Code extension (it also works in Cursor and other VS Code forks). It adds inline diffs, @-mentions, plan review, and conversation history right in the editor. Install it from the Extensions view, then open the Command Palette and pick 'Claude Code: Open in New Tab.' It also works in JetBrains IDEs.
Why — the first-principles explanation
Claude Code's brain is the same everywhere; the VS Code extension is a front end bolted onto it. Under the hood the extension still drives the Claude Code engine—the part that reads files, plans, and edits—but it shows the results using the editor's native UI instead of raw terminal text.
That matters because an editor can display things a terminal can't do as cleanly. The extension gives you inline diffs (see proposed changes highlighted in the file), @-mentions (point Claude at a specific file or symbol), plan review, and conversation history—all inside VS Code. Because it shares the same engine, your CLAUDE.md, settings, and MCP servers behave identically to the terminal.
One practical note: the extension relies on the Claude Code system, so it pairs naturally with the CLI, and the two stay in sync. The same extension installs in Cursor and other VS Code-based editors, and there's a separate plugin for JetBrains IDEs like IntelliJ and PyCharm. So 'does it work in VS Code' is a clear yes—with editor features the terminal doesn't have.
An example that makes it click
Think of the Claude Code engine as a skilled mechanic, and the interfaces as different service desks. The terminal is a plain clipboard where the mechanic writes notes. The VS Code extension is a fancy desk with a big screen that shows a side-by-side 'before and after' of every repair (inline diffs) and lets you tap exactly which part to fix (@-mentions). Same mechanic, nicer counter.
How to do it
- Open VS Code and press Cmd+Shift+X (Mac) or Ctrl+Shift+X (Windows/Linux) to open the Extensions view.
- Search for 'Claude Code' and install the official Anthropic extension.
- Open the Command Palette (Cmd+Shift+P / Ctrl+Shift+P), type 'Claude Code', and select 'Open in New Tab.'
- Sign in with your Claude plan or API account when prompted.
- Use inline diffs, @-mentions, and plan review directly in the editor; the same works in Cursor and JetBrains.
Key facts
- Claude Code offers an official VS Code extension from Anthropic (as of 2026-07).
- The extension adds inline diffs, @-mentions, plan review, and conversation history in the editor.
- It also installs in Cursor and other VS Code-based editors.
- A separate plugin supports JetBrains IDEs like IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, and WebStorm.
- The extension shares one engine with the CLI, so CLAUDE.md, settings, and MCP servers behave the same.
Anthropic's agentic coding tool that works in your terminal.
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Does Claude Code work in VS Code? Yes—there's an official extension. And here's the key idea: it's the same Claude Code engine you'd run in the terminal, just wrapped in the editor's interface. That unlocks features a plain terminal can't show as nicely. You get inline diffs, so proposed changes appear highlighted right in your file. You get at-mentions, so you can point Claude at a specific file or function. Plus plan review and conversation history, all inside VS Code. To install it, open the Extensions view, search 'Claude Code,' and install the Anthropic one. Then open the Command Palette, type Claude Code, and choose Open in New Tab. Sign in, and you're set. The same extension works in Cursor and other VS Code forks, and there's a separate plugin for JetBrains IDEs like IntelliJ and PyCharm. Best part: your CLAUDE dot M-D and settings carry over from the terminal, because it's all one engine.
What authoritative sources say
People also ask
How do I install the Claude Code VS Code extension?
Open the Extensions view (Cmd/Ctrl+Shift+X), search 'Claude Code,' install it, then run 'Claude Code: Open in New Tab' from the Command Palette.
Does Claude Code work in Cursor?
Yes. The same extension installs in Cursor and other VS Code-based editors.
What extra features does the extension add?
Inline diffs, @-mentions to target files or symbols, plan review, and conversation history inside the editor.
Does it work in JetBrains IDEs too?
Yes. A separate plugin supports IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, WebStorm, and other JetBrains IDEs.