Claude Code in Your IDE: VS Code, JetBrains, and Desktop App
Set up Claude Code in VS Code, JetBrains IDEs, the Desktop app, or Web mode. Compare surfaces and find the right one for your workflow.
Claude Code in Your IDE: VS Code, JetBrains, and Desktop App
Key Takeaways#
- Claude Code runs in five surfaces: terminal CLI, VS Code extension, JetBrains plugin, Desktop app, and Web mode — pick based on your workflow, not limitations.
- The terminal CLI is the most feature-complete surface; every other surface layers visual conveniences on top of the same engine.
- VS Code and JetBrains extensions give you inline diffs and editor context without leaving your IDE.
- The Desktop app adds visual diff review, scheduled tasks, and cloud sessions but requires a paid subscription.
- Web mode at claude.ai/code requires zero local setup and handles long-running tasks on remote repos.
Available Surfaces#
Claude Code isn't one interface — it's one engine with five surfaces. Each surface exposes the same underlying agentic coding capabilities, but the interaction model differs.
| Surface | How you access it | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal CLI | claude in any terminal | Automation, SSH, CI/CD, maximum control |
| VS Code extension | Extensions marketplace | Visual preference + CLI power, inline editing |
| JetBrains plugin | JetBrains Marketplace | IntelliJ ecosystem users |
| Desktop app | Download from claude.ai | Visual review without terminal, scheduled tasks |
| Web mode | claude.ai/code | No local setup, remote access, parallel tasks |
All surfaces use the same model and tool set. The CLI is the reference implementation — if something works in the terminal, it works everywhere.
VS Code Extension#
Installation#
From the command line:
code --install-extension anthropic.claude-code
Or search "Claude Code" in the Extensions panel (Ctrl+Shift+X) and click Install.
Cursor Users#
Claude Code also works in Cursor. Install with:
cursor:extension/anthropic.claude-code
Or search the Cursor extension marketplace directly.
Opening the Panel#
- Open the Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P / Cmd+Shift+P).
- Search for Claude Code: Open in New Tab.
- The Claude Code panel opens as a tab alongside your editor — not a sidebar, a full editor tab.
You can also open it from the terminal within VS Code by running claude, which will attach to the same session.
Features#
- Inline diffs: Claude proposes changes and you see them as diff overlays directly in the editor. Accept or reject each hunk individually.
- @-mentions: Reference files, symbols, or documentation by typing
@in the chat. Claude reads the referenced context without you copying content. - Plan review: Before Claude executes a multi-step plan, it shows the plan for your approval. Review, edit, or reject before any code changes land.
- Conversation history: Sessions persist. Switch branches, close VS Code, come back — your conversation is still there.
JetBrains Plugin#
Supported IDEs#
IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, WebStorm, GoLand, RubyMine, PhpStorm, CLion, Rider, DataGrip — if it runs on the IntelliJ platform, the plugin works.
Installation#
- Open Settings → Plugins → Marketplace.
- Search for "Claude Code" (plugin ID:
27310). - Click Install and restart the IDE.
Alternatively, download from the JetBrains Marketplace page and install from disk.
How It Works#
The plugin shares your editor context with Claude — open files, selected code, and project structure are available without manual copy-paste. When Claude proposes changes, you get an interactive diff view inside the IDE. Accept, reject, or modify each change before it applies.
Key integration points:
- Selection context: Highlight code, ask Claude about it. The selection is sent automatically.
- Interactive diff viewing: Side-by-side or unified diff, same as the IDE's built-in diff tool.
- Tool window: Claude Code runs in a dedicated tool window, dockable anywhere in the IDE layout.
Desktop App#
Download#
Available from claude.ai. Choose your platform:
- macOS: Universal binary (Intel + Apple Silicon)
- Windows x64: Standard 64-bit installer
- Windows ARM64: ARM-native build for Snapdragon/Qualcomm devices
What You Get#
The Desktop app wraps Claude Code in a native UI. It does everything the terminal does, plus:
- Visual diff review: See proposed changes in a structured diff view — no terminal scrolling required. Accept or reject changes per hunk.
- Multiple sessions: Run more than one Claude Code session at a time. Work on two features in parallel without opening a second terminal.
- Scheduled tasks: Set up Claude to run on a schedule — nightly refactoring passes, weekly dependency updates, etc.
- Cloud sessions: Sessions sync across devices. Start on your desktop, continue on your laptop.
Requirements#
The Desktop app requires a paid Claude subscription (Pro, Team, or Enterprise). Free-tier users should use the terminal CLI, VS Code, or JetBrains instead.
Web Mode#
Access#
Navigate to claude.ai/code in any desktop browser. You can also access it from the Claude iOS app.
No Local Setup#
Web mode runs Claude Code on Anthropic's infrastructure. You don't need Node.js, npm, or any local install. Point it at a Git repository and start working.
When Web Mode Wins#
- Long-running tasks: Web sessions can run for extended periods without timing out or consuming local resources. Kick off a large refactor and check back later.
- Remote repositories: Work directly with GitHub repos without cloning locally. Claude clones and operates on the repo server-side.
- Parallel tasks: Spin up multiple sessions on different repos or branches simultaneously. Your machine stays idle.
- iOS access: Quick code review or small changes from your phone — not ideal for large edits, but functional for triage and PR review.
Limitations#
Web mode doesn't have access to your local filesystem. If you need to edit files that aren't in a Git repo, use the terminal or an IDE extension instead.
Surface Comparison#
| Feature | Terminal | VS Code | JetBrains | Desktop | Web |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full CLI access | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Visual diffs | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Multiple sessions | Manual (tmux) | Manual (tabs) | Manual | Built-in | Built-in |
| Remote repos | Manual (SSH) | Manual (SSH) | Manual (SSH) | Manual | Built-in |
| SSH capable | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No |
| Free tier | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No |
| Editor context | Manual | Automatic | Automatic | Automatic | N/A |
| Scheduled tasks | Cron only | No | No | Built-in | No |
| @-mentions | No | Yes | No | No | No |
When to Use Which#
Terminal: You want maximum control. You're automating with scripts, working over SSH, integrating into CI/CD pipelines, or you simply prefer the keyboard. This is the most flexible surface and the only one that's fully scriptable.
VS Code: You want visual diffs and inline editing inside your existing editor. The extension gives you everything the CLI does, plus the convenience of @-mentions and diff overlays. Best for developers who live in VS Code or Cursor.
JetBrains: Same story as VS Code but for the IntelliJ ecosystem. If PyCharm, WebStorm, or IntelliJ IDEA is your daily driver, the plugin keeps you in one window. Selection context sharing is the standout feature — highlight and ask.
Desktop app: You want visual review without opening a terminal, you need multiple concurrent sessions, or you want scheduled tasks. The subscription requirement is the gate — if you're already paying for Claude Pro or above, the Desktop app is worth a look.
Web mode: You don't want to install anything, you're on a machine that isn't yours, or you need to work on remote repos without cloning. Also the best option for parallel long-running tasks that would otherwise tie up your local machine.