Blog · October 24, 2026 · Agentdex Editorial

Claude Code in Your IDE (2026): VS Code, Cursor and JetBrains Guide

Claude Code (Agentdex profile) started as a terminal tool, but you can now use it inside your editor. Anthropic offers a native VS Code extension (which also works in Cursor (Agentdex profile) and other VS Code-based editors) and a JetBrains plugin. This guide explains what each integration does, what you need to run it, how to set it up and what to watch out for. Details were checked against Anthropic's Claude Code documentation on October 24, 2026.

Key Takeaways

VS Code extension: a graphical Claude Code panel with inline diffs, plan review, @-mentions, checkpoints and multiple conversation tabs. Requires VS Code 1.94.0 or later and also installs in Cursor and Open VSX editors.
JetBrains plugin (beta): works with IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, Android Studio, WebStorm, PhpStorm and GoLand. It connects the Claude Code CLI to the IDE's diff viewer and selection.
You need a paid Claude plan (Pro, Max, Team or Enterprise) or a Claude Console account. The free Claude plan does not include Claude Code.
The extension and the CLI share settings in ~/.claude/settings.json, and you can resume conversations across both.
Pick a permission mode on purpose. Auto-accepting edits is fast but gives Claude more room to change files, including IDE config.

What you need

A Claude subscription or Console account. Claude Pro is $20/month ($17/month billed annually). Max costs $100/month (5x Pro usage) or $200/month (20x). Team and Enterprise plans also include Claude Code. You can also use a Claude Console account with usage billing. No separate API key is needed if you sign in with a subscription.
A supported editor: VS Code 1.94.0+, Cursor or another VS Code-based editor, or a supported JetBrains IDE.
A project under Git, so you can review and undo changes easily.

The VS Code extension

Install it

Open the Extensions view in VS Code or Cursor and search for "Claude Code". In editors that use Open VSX, install it from there.
Click the Spark icon to open the Claude Code panel.
Sign in with your Claude account or Console account.
Open a project folder and start a conversation.

The extension bundles its own copy of Claude Code, so you do not need to install the CLI first. Note that it does not add the claude command to your PATH; install the CLI separately if you also want it in your terminal. Our Claude Code download guide covers that.

What it does

Inline diffs: see proposed changes in the editor and accept or reject them.
Permission modes: choose how much Claude can do without asking, from manual approval to plan-only to editing automatically.
@-mentions: point Claude at files, folders or specific line ranges. Option+K (Mac) or Alt+K (Windows/Linux) inserts a reference to your current selection. You can also reference a terminal's output.
Checkpoints: rewind code and conversation to an earlier point, or fork a conversation to try another approach.
Multiple tabs and history: run several conversations and come back to past sessions, including Claude Code sessions started on claude.ai.
Slash commands: manage plugins with /plugins, MCP servers with /mcp and check limits with /usage.
Git: ask Claude to write commits and open pull requests.
Browser: with Claude in Chrome connected, @browser lets Claude look at a page while it works.

If you prefer the terminal interface, a setting switches the extension to terminal mode. Cmd+Esc (Mac) or Ctrl+Esc (Windows/Linux) toggles focus between the editor and Claude.

The JetBrains plugin

The JetBrains plugin is in beta and works differently: it connects the Claude Code CLI, which you install separately, to your IDE. It supports IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, Android Studio, WebStorm, PhpStorm and GoLand.

Install the Claude Code CLI.
Install the Claude Code plugin from the JetBrains Marketplace and restart the IDE.
Press Cmd+Esc (Mac) or Ctrl+Esc (Windows/Linux) to open Claude Code, or run claude in the IDE's terminal.

Once connected, proposed changes open in the IDE's own diff viewer, Claude sees your current selection, Cmd+Option+K (Mac) or Alt+Ctrl+K inserts file references, and Claude can read the IDE's diagnostics such as lint and syntax errors.

Connecting the CLI to any IDE

If you run Claude Code in an external terminal, the /ide command connects it to a running VS Code, Cursor or JetBrains instance, so diffs and diagnostics flow through the editor. claude --resume lets you continue a conversation from either side.

Watch-outs

Permission modes matter. Anthropic warns that in auto-accept edit modes Claude may change IDE configuration files that the IDE then runs. Use manual approval or plan mode in unfamiliar projects.
Usage limits apply. Your plan's usage is shared between the extension, the CLI and claude.ai. Check /usage before long sessions.
JetBrains support is beta, and it needs the CLI installed.
Review every change. Inline diffs make this easy, so use them.

Claude Code vs other IDE agents

If you mainly want inline completions, GitHub Copilot (Agentdex profile) or Cursor are stronger. Claude Code's strength is larger, multi-file tasks with a clear plan. Many developers use Claude Code alongside an editor's own autocomplete. See Cursor vs Claude Code, Codex vs Claude Code and the Claude Code profile on Agentdex.

Claude Code reads a CLAUDE.md file for project instructions. A good one makes it far more reliable, and our free Vibe Coder Starter Kit includes a starter template.

FAQ

Does Claude Code work in VS Code?

Yes. Anthropic's native extension works in VS Code 1.94.0 and later, and also in Cursor and editors that install extensions from Open VSX.

Is the Claude Code extension free?

The extension is free to install, but using Claude Code requires a paid Claude plan (Pro, Max, Team or Enterprise) or a Claude Console account. The free Claude plan does not include Claude Code.

Does Claude Code work in JetBrains IDEs?

Yes, through a beta plugin for IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, Android Studio, WebStorm, PhpStorm and GoLand. The plugin needs the Claude Code CLI installed.

Do I need an API key?

No, if you sign in with a Claude subscription. You can also use a Claude Console account, and the extension supports third-party providers such as Amazon Bedrock.

Can I use the CLI and the extension together?

Yes. They share settings in ~/.claude/settings.json, the /ide command connects a terminal session to your editor, and claude --resume continues a conversation from either one.

Written by Agentdex Editorial. Agentdex is an independent directory reviewing AI coding tools; we are not affiliated with the companies mentioned. Prices and features are as of October 24, 2026, from official sources linked above. Always confirm on the vendor's site.