Claude Code
Also known as: Claude-code, Claude Developer Tool
Claude Code is an agentic coding tool by Anthropic that reads your codebase, edits files, runs commands, and integrates with your development tools. It is available in the terminal, VS Code (and Cursor), JetBrains IDEs, a desktop app, the web, and the Claude mobile app. It defaults to Claude Opus 5.5 on most plans, can switch to Sonnet 5.5, Fable 5.1, or Haiku, and supports a native 1M token context window on Opus 5.5, Sonnet 5.5, and Fable. It can spawn multiple sub-agents in parallel and run scheduled cloud routines.
Agent Information
- Provider
- Anthropic
- Supported IDEs
- Terminal / CLI, VSCode, Cursor, JetBrains, Desktop app, Web, Mobile (iOS/Android)
Feature Support Matrix
| Feature | Support Level | Details |
|---|---|---|
| Execution | ||
| Automatic Context Awareness | ✅ Full Support | Claude Code does perform automatic context ingest and auto-compact cleanup—but it's not flawless. You need to guide it u... |
| Filesystem Access | ✅ Full Support | Full filesystem access within the workspace, enabling autonomous file creation and modification. |
| MCP Server Support | ✅ Full Support | Supports MCP servers for connecting custom tools and services, enhancing AI workflows. |
| Editor Integration | ||
| Broad IDE Integration | ✅ Full Support | Claude Code has an official VS Code extension (also installable in Cursor) and a JetBrains plugin for IntelliJ IDEA, PyC... |
| Model Support | ||
| Latest Claude Model Support | ✅ Full Support | Defaults to Claude Opus 5.5 on the Anthropic API and paid plans, and supports Sonnet 5.5, Fable 5.1, and Haiku through t... |
| Context Window Management | ✅ Full Support | Opus 5.5, Sonnet 5.5, and Fable 5.1/5 support a native 1M token context window. Opus 4.6 and Sonnet 4.6 can use 1M via t... |
| Debugging | ||
| Console Error Integration | ⚠️ Partial | Integrates with the BrowserTools MCP plugin to connect to browser console logs, allowing the AI to see and fix errors du... |
| Interactive Element Selection | ❌ No Support | |
| Live Web Preview | ❌ No Support | No information on live web preview has been found |
| Configuration | ||
| Dedicated Instruction File | ✅ Full Support | Claude Code uses CLAUDE.md files for project-specific instructions |
| Fine-Grained Instruction Control | ⚠️ Partial | Claude Code supports CLAUDE.md files that can be placed at different directory levels (project root, subdirectory) to pr... |
| Supports Scoped Instructions | ⚠️ Partial | Project instructions help Claude understand the specific context and requirements for a particular project. |
| Planning | ||
| Planner Strategy | ✅ Full Support | Plan mode is a special operating mode in Claude Code that allows you to research, analyze, and create implementation pla... |
Frequently Asked Questions
Claude Code runs in your terminal and also offers a VS Code extension (installable in Cursor too), a JetBrains plugin (IntelliJ IDEA, PyCharm, WebStorm, and others), a desktop app for macOS and Windows, and a web version at claude.ai/code. All surfaces share the same engine, so your CLAUDE.md files, settings, and MCP servers work across them.
Claude Code supports a wide range of programming languages, including but not limited to Python, Java, PHP, Rust, and JavaScript frameworks like React and Vue.
The recommended method is the native installer: run `curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash` on macOS, Linux, or WSL, or `irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex` in Windows PowerShell. It is also available via Homebrew (`brew install --cask claude-code`), WinGet (`winget install Anthropic.ClaudeCode`), and apt, dnf, or apk. Then run `claude` in your project directory.
Yes, Claude Code is designed to understand and work with your existing codebase, whether it's a new project or an established one.
Not necessarily. Most surfaces require either a Claude subscription or an Anthropic Console account; you log in on first use. If the ANTHROPIC_API_KEY environment variable is set, Claude Code asks you to approve that key instead. The terminal CLI, VS Code, and JetBrains also support third-party providers.
Claude Code prioritizes security by connecting directly to Anthropic’s API without intermediate servers, operating within your terminal, and maintaining awareness of your project structure. It performs actions like editing files and creating commits directly in your environment. Anthropic implements safeguards such as limited retention periods for sensitive information and restricted access to user session data.
Claude Code is included in all paid Claude plans and shares usage limits with Claude chat: Pro ($20/month, or $17/month billed annually), Max (from $100/month), Team Standard ($25/seat/month, or $20 billed annually), Team Premium ($125/seat/month, or $100 billed annually), and Enterprise ($20/seat/month plus usage at API rates). It is not included in the Free plan. See https://claude.com/pricing for details.
Claude Code requires an internet connection to function, as it communicates with Anthropic's API. There are no offline capabilities mentioned in the current documentation.
Claude Code is highly agentic, performing complex tasks like editing files, running tests, and managing git workflows through natural language commands. GitHub Copilot also offers an Agent Mode for multi-file tasks, but it is primarily an extension inside existing IDEs, while Claude Code is terminal-first and also available in IDEs, a desktop app, and the web.
Best practices include providing clear and specific instructions, using the /think command for planning complex tasks, utilizing the memory feature with #tags for persistent context, and regularly reviewing and approving changes made by Claude Code to ensure accuracy.
You can provide feedback or report issues using the /bug command within Claude Code or by filing an issue on the official GitHub repository at https://github.com/anthropics/claude-code.
Yes. Claude Code is included in the Team and Enterprise plans and can also run through third-party providers such as Amazon Bedrock, Google Cloud's Agent Platform, Microsoft Foundry, and the Claude Platform on AWS.
Yes, Claude Code supports Git, allowing it to search through git history, resolve merge conflicts, and create commits and pull requests.
While Claude Code can provide explanations and answer questions about your code, its primary focus is on coding tasks and workflows. For comprehensive documentation, you may need to use specific commands or integrate with other tools.
Claude Code is designed to understand and work with entire codebases. Opus 5.5, Sonnet 5.5, and Fable support a native 1M token context window; models without 1M support use 200K tokens. For large tasks, it can spawn multiple sub-agents that work on different parts in parallel while a lead agent coordinates and merges the results.
On the Anthropic API and on the Pro, Max, Team, and Enterprise plans, Claude Code defaults to Claude Opus 5.5. You can switch models with /model using aliases: opus (Opus 5.5), sonnet (Sonnet 5.5), fable (Fable 5.1), haiku (the fast Haiku model), best (Fable where available), and opusplan (Opus for planning, Sonnet for execution). Model mappings differ on Bedrock, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Foundry.