Claude Code IDE Integrations: VS Code, JetBrains & More (2026)

Claude Code IDE Integrations: VS Code, JetBrains & More (2026)

Claude Code is Anthropic's agentic coding tool that lives in your terminal. While it works great as a standalone CLI, integrating it directly into your IDE transforms it from a separate tool into a seamless part of your development workflow. You can trigger Claude Code from within your editor, send selected code for review, and apply its suggestions without leaving your IDE.

This guide walks you through setting up Claude Code in VS Code, JetBrains IDEs, Neovim, Emacs, and more, with configuration tips for each.

Prerequisites

Before setting up any IDE integration, you need Claude Code installed and authenticated:

# Install Claude Code via npm
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

# Authenticate (opens browser for OAuth)
claude

# Verify installation
claude --version

System Requirements

Requirement	Minimum
Node.js	18+
Operating system	macOS, Linux, Windows (WSL)
RAM	4GB+
Anthropic plan	Max ($100/mo) or API key

VS Code Integration

VS Code has the most mature Claude Code integration, available as an official extension.

Installation

# Install from VS Code marketplace
code --install-extension anthropic.claude-code

Or search for "Claude Code" in the VS Code Extensions panel (Cmd+Shift+X / Ctrl+Shift+X).

Configuration

After installation, configure the extension in your VS Code settings:

// .vscode/settings.json
{
  // Claude Code extension settings
  "claudeCode.terminalProfile": "integrated",
  "claudeCode.autoApprove": false,
  "claudeCode.showInStatusBar": true,

  // Keybinding hint: Cmd+Shift+P > "Claude Code" to see all commands
}

Key Features in VS Code

Feature	How to Access	Description
Inline chat	Cmd+I / Ctrl+I	Ask Claude about selected code
Terminal panel	Claude Code panel in sidebar	Full Claude Code terminal
Quick fix	Click lightbulb on errors	Claude suggests fixes for diagnostics
Code actions	Right-click > Claude Code	Refactor, explain, test selected code
File context	Automatic	Claude sees your open files and project

Workflow: Fix a Bug with Claude Code in VS Code

1. Select the buggy code in your editor
2. Press Cmd+I (or Ctrl+I) to open inline chat
3. Type: "Fix this bug -- the function returns undefined when the input array is empty"
4. Review the suggested diff
5. Click "Accept" to apply changes

// Before (buggy):
function getAverage(numbers: number[]): number {
  const sum = numbers.reduce((a, b) => a + b, 0);
  return sum / numbers.length; // Returns NaN for empty arrays
}

// After (Claude Code fix):
function getAverage(numbers: number[]): number {
  if (numbers.length === 0) return 0;
  const sum = numbers.reduce((a, b) => a + b, 0);
  return sum / numbers.length;
}

Custom Keybindings for VS Code

Add these to your keybindings.json for faster Claude Code access:

[
  {
    "key": "cmd+shift+c",
    "command": "claudeCode.openChat",
    "when": "editorTextFocus"
  },
  {
    "key": "cmd+shift+e",
    "command": "claudeCode.explain",
    "when": "editorHasSelection"
  },
  {
    "key": "cmd+shift+r",
    "command": "claudeCode.refactor",
    "when": "editorHasSelection"
  },
  {
    "key": "cmd+shift+t",
    "command": "claudeCode.generateTests",
    "when": "editorTextFocus"
  }
]

JetBrains Integration (IntelliJ, WebStorm, PyCharm)

Claude Code integrates with JetBrains IDEs through a terminal-based approach and a community plugin.

Method 1: Built-in Terminal Integration

The simplest approach uses JetBrains' built-in terminal:

1. Open the Terminal panel (Alt+F12)
2. Run claude to start Claude Code
3. Claude automatically detects your JetBrains project context

Method 2: Claude Code Plugin

1. Open Settings > Plugins > Marketplace
2. Search for "Claude Code"
3. Install the plugin and restart the IDE

JetBrains Configuration

<!-- In your IDE settings -->
<component name="ClaudeCodeSettings">
  <option name="autoDetectProject" value="true" />
  <option name="terminalIntegration" value="true" />
  <option name="showToolWindow" value="true" />
</component>

Key Features in JetBrains

Feature	How to Access
Claude Code tool window	View > Tool Windows > Claude Code
Send selection to Claude	Right-click > Claude Code > Ask about selection
Terminal integration	Alt+F12, then run claude
Generate tests	Right-click on class > Claude Code > Generate Tests

JetBrains Workflow Example

// In IntelliJ, right-click this method and select
// "Claude Code > Optimize"

// Before:
public List<String> filterAndSort(List<String> items) {
    List<String> result = new ArrayList<>();
    for (String item : items) {
        if (item != null && !item.isEmpty()) {
            result.add(item.trim().toLowerCase());
        }
    }
    Collections.sort(result);
    return result;
}

// Claude Code suggests (using streams):
public List<String> filterAndSort(List<String> items) {
    return items.stream()
        .filter(item -> item != null && !item.isEmpty())
        .map(item -> item.trim().toLowerCase())
        .sorted()
        .collect(Collectors.toList());
}

Neovim Integration

Neovim users can integrate Claude Code through a terminal split or dedicated plugin.

Method 1: Terminal Split

The simplest approach:

" Open Claude Code in a vertical split terminal
:vsplit | terminal claude

" Or in a horizontal split
:split | terminal claude

" Add a keybinding to your init.lua or init.vim

-- init.lua
vim.keymap.set('n', '<leader>cc', function()
  vim.cmd('vsplit | terminal claude')
end, { desc = 'Open Claude Code' })

-- Send selected text to Claude Code
vim.keymap.set('v', '<leader>cs', function()
  -- Yank selection and send to Claude Code terminal
  vim.cmd('normal! y')
  local text = vim.fn.getreg('"')
  -- Send to Claude Code terminal buffer
  vim.fn.chansend(vim.b.terminal_job_id, text .. '\n')
end, { desc = 'Send to Claude Code' })

Method 2: claudecode.nvim Plugin

The community-maintained claudecode.nvim plugin provides tighter integration:

-- lazy.nvim configuration
{
  "anthropics/claudecode.nvim",
  dependencies = { "nvim-lua/plenary.nvim" },
  config = function()
    require("claudecode").setup({
      auto_start = false,
      keymap = {
        toggle = "<leader>cc",
        send_selection = "<leader>cs",
        accept = "<leader>ca",
        reject = "<leader>cr",
      },
      window = {
        position = "right",
        width = 0.4,
      },
    })
  end,
}

Neovim Keybinding Cheat Sheet

Keybinding	Action
<leader>cc	Toggle Claude Code panel
<leader>cs	Send visual selection to Claude
<leader>ca	Accept Claude's suggestion
<leader>cr	Reject Claude's suggestion
<leader>ce	Explain selected code
<leader>ct	Generate tests for current file

Emacs Integration

Emacs users can integrate Claude Code through vterm or a dedicated package.

Using vterm

;; Add to your init.el or .emacs
(defun open-claude-code ()
  "Open Claude Code in a vterm buffer."
  (interactive)
  (let ((buf (get-buffer "*claude-code*")))
    (if buf
        (switch-to-buffer buf)
      (vterm "*claude-code*")
      (vterm-send-string "claude\n"))))

(global-set-key (kbd "C-c c c") 'open-claude-code)

;; Send region to Claude Code
(defun send-region-to-claude ()
  "Send the selected region to Claude Code."
  (interactive)
  (let ((text (buffer-substring-no-properties (region-beginning) (region-end))))
    (with-current-buffer "*claude-code*"
      (vterm-send-string text)
      (vterm-send-return))))

(global-set-key (kbd "C-c c s") 'send-region-to-claude)

Using claude-code.el Package

;; Using straight.el or use-package
(use-package claude-code
  :straight (:host github :repo "anthropic/claude-code-emacs")
  :config
  (setq claude-code-auto-approve nil)
  (setq claude-code-window-side 'right)
  :bind
  (("C-c c c" . claude-code-toggle)
   ("C-c c s" . claude-code-send-region)
   ("C-c c e" . claude-code-explain)
   ("C-c c r" . claude-code-refactor)))

Terminal Multiplexer Integration (tmux)

For developers who prefer terminal-centric workflows:

# Create a tmux layout with Claude Code in a side pane
tmux split-window -h -l 40% 'claude'

# Or add to your .tmux.conf:
bind C-c split-window -h -l 40% 'claude'

tmux + Claude Code Workflow

┌──────────────────────┬─────────────────┐
│                      │                 │
│    Your editor       │  Claude Code    │
│    (vim/nano/etc)    │  terminal       │
│                      │                 │
│                      │  > fix the bug  │
│                      │    in auth.py   │
│                      │                 │
└──────────────────────┴─────────────────┘

Configuration Tips for All IDEs

Project-Level Configuration

Create a .claude/settings.json file in your project root to configure Claude Code's behavior per-project:

{
  "model": "claude-sonnet-4-20250514",
  "permissions": {
    "allow_file_write": true,
    "allow_bash": true,
    "allow_web_fetch": false
  },
  "context": {
    "include": ["src/**", "tests/**", "package.json", "tsconfig.json"],
    "exclude": ["node_modules/**", "dist/**", ".env"]
  }
}

CLAUDE.md Context File

Add a CLAUDE.md file to your project root to give Claude Code persistent context:

# Project: My Web App

## Tech Stack
- Next.js 15 with App Router
- TypeScript strict mode
- Tailwind CSS + shadcn/ui
- Drizzle ORM with PostgreSQL
- tRPC for API routes

## Conventions
- Use functional components with hooks
- Prefer server components where possible
- Use Zod for all validation
- Tests use Vitest + React Testing Library

## Architecture
- /src/app - Next.js routes
- /src/components - Shared UI components
- /src/server - Backend logic and API
- /src/lib - Utilities and helpers

Performance Optimization

Setting	Recommendation	Why
Model	Sonnet 4 (default)	Best balance of speed and quality
Context includes	Be specific	Reduces token usage and cost
Auto-approve	Off (for safety)	Review changes before applying
File exclusions	node_modules, dist, .env	Prevents sending unnecessary context

Comparison: Claude Code vs Other IDE AI Tools

Feature	Claude Code	GitHub Copilot	Cursor	Cody (Sourcegraph)
IDE support	VS Code, JetBrains, Neovim, Emacs, terminal	VS Code, JetBrains, Neovim	Cursor only	VS Code, JetBrains, Neovim
Agentic (multi-step)	Yes	Limited	Yes	Limited
File editing	Yes (applies diffs)	Inline suggestions	Yes	Inline suggestions
Terminal commands	Yes (can run bash)	No	Limited	No
Git operations	Yes	No	Limited	No
Project-wide changes	Yes	No	Yes	Limited
Price	$100-200/mo or API	$10-39/mo	$20-40/mo	Free-$9/mo

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Claude Code work with VS Code Remote (SSH)?

Yes. Claude Code runs on the remote machine through VS Code's remote terminal, so it has access to the remote filesystem and tools.

Can I use Claude Code with multiple projects simultaneously?

Yes. Each terminal instance of Claude Code operates independently. You can have multiple instances running in different project directories.

Does Claude Code support pair programming?

Claude Code works well in pair programming scenarios. Both developers can interact with the same Claude Code session through a shared terminal (e.g., via tmux or VS Code Live Share).

How much does Claude Code cost through IDE integrations?

The IDE integrations themselves are free. The cost comes from the Claude Code usage, which requires either a Claude Max subscription ($100-200/month) or API access (pay-per-token).

Conclusion

Claude Code's IDE integrations make it a powerful addition to any development workflow. VS Code offers the most polished experience, JetBrains provides solid integration through plugins and terminal, and Neovim/Emacs users can set up efficient workflows with terminal splits and community plugins.

For developers who also need AI-powered media generation in their projects -- images, video, audio, or 3D models -- Hypereal AI provides a developer-friendly API that pairs well with Claude Code. Use Claude Code to write the integration code and Hypereal AI to handle the actual media generation, covering everything from Flux image generation to Sora 2 video creation.