Claude Code with VS Code and JetBrains: Best of Both Worlds

You Don't Have to Choose

Claude Code works in:

• ✅ Terminal (native)
• ✅ VS Code (Extension)
• ✅ JetBrains IDEs (Plugin)
• ✅ Desktop App (standalone)

Choose what fits your workflow.

VS Code Extension

Installation

1. Open VS Code
2. Extensions (Ctrl+Shift+X)
3. Search "Claude Code"
4. Install

Or from Terminal:

code --install-extension anthropic.claude-code

Features

1. Inline Diffs

See proposed changes directly in code:

• 🟢 Additions in green
• 🔴 Deletions in red
• Accept/reject with one click

2. @-Mentions

Reference files or symbols directly:

@src/auth.ts add logging to this file
@UserService fix this function

3. Plan Review

Before execution, Claude shows its plan:

📋 Plan:
1. Modify auth.ts (lines 45-60)
2. Add new file: utils/logger.ts
3. Update tests

[Accept] [Modify] [Reject]

4. Editor Integration

• Ctrl+K: Open Claude Code
• Select + Ctrl+K: Ask about selected code
• Right-click: Claude Code options

Important Settings

// settings.json
{
  "claude-code.model": "claude-sonnet-4",
  "claude-code.autoSuggest": true,
  "claude-code.diffView": "inline",
  "claude-code.confirmBeforeEdit": true
}

JetBrains Plugin

Installation

1. Open Settings (Ctrl+Alt+S)
2. Plugins → Marketplace
3. Search "Claude Code"
4. Install & Restart

Features

1. IDE Diff Viewing

Same familiar diff interface from JetBrains.

2. Context Sharing

Understands:

• Project structure
• Run configurations
• Build tools (Maven, Gradle)
• Framework-specific files

3. Tool Window

Dedicated window for Claude Code:

• Conversation
• Task history
• Settings

Supported IDEs

• ✅ IntelliJ IDEA
• ✅ PyCharm
• ✅ WebStorm
• ✅ PhpStorm
• ✅ Android Studio
• ✅ Other JetBrains IDEs

Desktop App

Standalone application combining best features:

Features

1. Built-in Diff Review

Dedicated interface for reviewing changes.

2. Parallel Sessions

Multiple sessions using Git Worktrees:

Session 1: feature/auth ──→ running
Session 2: fix/bug-123 ──→ running
Session 3: refactor/api ──→ waiting

3. Cloud Sessions

• Start cloud session
• Monitor progress
• Transfer to Terminal

Installation

# macOS
brew install --cask claude-code
 
# Or from website
# https://claude.ai/download

When to Use Each Option?

Terminal (CLI)

✅ High automation
✅ Large, complex tasks
✅ Scripting and CI/CD
✅ Advanced customization (Hooks, MCP)

VS Code Extension

✅ Daily development
✅ Want inline diffs
✅ Team uses VS Code
✅ Medium-sized tasks

JetBrains Plugin

✅ Java/Kotlin/Python projects
✅ Prefer JetBrains ecosystem
✅ Need IDE features

Desktop App

✅ Want dedicated interface
✅ Parallel sessions
✅ Focused diff review

Combination Strategy

Example: A Typical Workday

Morning (large task):

# Terminal for planning and execution
claude --thinking
> I want to restructure the caching system

Midday (small changes):

# VS Code for quick edits
Ctrl+K: "Fix this type error"

Evening (review):

# Desktop App to review all changes
# before creating PRs

Tips for Seamless Integration

1. Use the Same Settings

Settings files are shared:

• ~/.claude/settings.json
• .claude/settings.json (project)

2. Share Context

# From VS Code, send to Terminal
# From Terminal, notice file in IDE

3. Leverage Each Tool

Planning ──→ Terminal (best for deep thinking)
Coding ──→ IDE (best for edits)
Review ──→ Desktop (best for review)

Recommended Settings

For Beginners

{
  "claude-code.confirmBeforeEdit": true,
  "claude-code.showPlanBeforeExecute": true,
  "claude-code.model": "claude-sonnet-4"
}

For Professionals

{
  "claude-code.confirmBeforeEdit": false,
  "claude-code.autoApplyDiffs": true,
  "claude-code.model": "claude-opus-4"
}

Summary

Claude Code adapts to your workflow:

• Terminal: Power and control
• VS Code/JetBrains: Comfort and integration
• Desktop: Review and parallelism

Tip: Try all options and choose what fits each type of task.

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