IDE Extensions Intermediate

While Claude Code is a terminal-first tool, it integrates beautifully with modern IDEs. Use it inside VS Code, JetBrains, Neovim, or alongside any editor with tmux for the best of both worlds.

Claude Code in VS Code

The official Claude Code VS Code extension embeds the CLI directly in your editor:

Features

• Chat panel: Claude Code runs in a sidebar panel within VS Code
• Inline suggestions: Get AI assistance without leaving your editor
• Terminal integration: Claude Code can use VS Code's integrated terminal
• File context: Automatically includes the active file as context
• Diff view: Review Claude's proposed changes in VS Code's diff viewer

Installation

# Install via VS Code marketplace
# Search for "Claude Code" in the Extensions panel
# Or install from the command line:
$ code --install-extension anthropic.claude-code

Key Shortcuts

VS Code Settings

{
  "claude-code.model": "claude-sonnet-4-20250514",
  "claude-code.theme": "auto",
  "claude-code.terminal.autoRun": false,
  "claude-code.editor.showInlineSuggestions": true
}

JetBrains Integration

For IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, WebStorm, and other JetBrains IDEs:

• Use the built-in terminal to run Claude Code CLI
• Split your editor with the terminal panel for side-by-side work
• Claude Code edits files on disk, and JetBrains detects changes automatically
• Use JetBrains' "External Tools" feature to create shortcuts for Claude commands

Neovim Integration

For Neovim users, Claude Code works naturally alongside your editor:

# Option 1: Use Neovim's terminal (:terminal)
:terminal claude

# Option 2: Split pane with tmux (recommended)
# Left pane: Neovim
# Right pane: Claude Code

# Option 3: Use the claudevim plugin
# Adds :Claude command directly in Neovim

tmux Integration

The recommended setup for terminal-centric developers. Run your editor and Claude Code side by side:

# Create a dual-pane tmux session
$ tmux new-session -s dev

# Split vertically: editor on left, Claude on right
# Ctrl+B % to split

# Left pane: your editor
$ nvim .

# Right pane: Claude Code
$ claude

# Switch between panes: Ctrl+B arrow keys

# Enable mouse for easy pane switching
set -g mouse on

# Increase scrollback for Claude's output
set -g history-limit 50000

# Quick shortcut to create Claude pane
bind-key C split-window -h 'claude'

Tips for IDE + CLI Synergy