IDE Integration

Maximize your productivity by integrating Claude Code with your IDE. This guide covers installation, configuration, keyboard shortcuts, and advanced features for VS Code, JetBrains IDEs, and terminal environments.

Supported IDEs

IDE Compatibility

Claude Code provides dedicated integrations for:

• VS Code (including Cursor, Windsurf, VSCodium)
• JetBrains IDEs (IntelliJ, PyCharm, WebStorm, PhpStorm, GoLand, Android Studio)
• Any Terminal (iTerm2, Terminal.app, Windows Terminal, etc.)

Even without specific integration, Claude Code works in any environment with a terminal.

Quick Setup

1. Install Claude Code CLI (if not already done)

   npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

2. Start Claude Code from your IDE’s terminal

   claude

3. Extension auto-installs (VS Code) or Install plugin (JetBrains)

4. Test integration

   • Use keyboard shortcuts
   • Try diff viewing
   • Check diagnostic sharing

VS Code Integration

Installation

Auto-Install

Simply run claude from VS Code’s integrated terminal - the extension installs automatically.

Manual Install

If auto-install fails:

1. Ensure the code CLI is available:

   • Press Cmd+Shift+P (Mac) or Ctrl+Shift+P (Windows/Linux)
   • Search for “Shell Command: Install ‘code’ command in PATH”

2. For VS Code forks:

   • Cursor: Ensure cursor command is available
   • Windsurf: Ensure windsurf command is available
   • VSCodium: Ensure codium command is available

Features & Shortcuts

VS Code Integration Features

Feature	Shortcut	Description
Quick Launch	Cmd+Esc (Mac) Ctrl+Esc (Win/Linux)	Open Claude Code from editor
Diff Viewing	Automatic	View changes in VS Code’s diff editor
File Reference	Cmd+Option+K (Mac) Alt+Ctrl+K (Win/Linux)	Insert file references (@File#L1-99)
Selection Context	Automatic	Current selection shared with Claude
Diagnostic Sharing	Automatic	Linter errors sent to Claude
Multiple Instances	Manual	Run parallel Claude sessions in split panes

Advanced Configuration

.vscode/settings.json

// .vscode/settings.json
{
"claude-code.diffTool": "auto",
"claude-code.autoLaunch": true,
"claude-code.diagnosticSharing": true,
"claude-code.selectionContext": true,
"terminal.integrated.defaultProfile.osx": "zsh",
"terminal.integrated.fontSize": 14
}

Working with Multiple Projects

Run multiple Claude instances for different parts of your codebase:

1. Split terminal panes

   • Right-click terminal tab → “Split Terminal”
   • Or use Cmd+\ (Mac) / Ctrl+\ (Windows/Linux)

2. Navigate to different directories

   # Terminal 1
   cd frontend
   claude
   
   # Terminal 2
   cd backend
   claude

3. Work in parallel

   • Each instance maintains separate context
   • Ideal for frontend/backend separation

JetBrains Integration

Installation

Marketplace Install

1. Open JetBrains IDE (IntelliJ, PyCharm, etc.)
2. Go to Settings → Plugins → Marketplace
3. Search for “Claude Code”
4. Install and restart IDE completely

Auto-Install

Run claude in the integrated terminal - the plugin may auto-install. Note: Restart the IDE completely for it to take effect.

Remote Development

For JetBrains Remote Development:

1. Install plugin on the remote host via Settings → Plugin (Host)
2. Not on the local client

Features & Configuration

JetBrains Integration Features

• Quick Launch: Same keyboard shortcuts as VS Code
• Integrated Diff Viewer: View changes in JetBrains diff tool
• Project Context: Automatic project structure awareness
• Run Configurations: Access to project run configs
• Database Integration: Works with DataGrip features

Troubleshooting JetBrains

Plugin Not Working

1. Ensure Claude Code is run from project root
2. Check plugin is enabled in Settings
3. Completely restart IDE (may need multiple restarts)
4. For Remote Dev, verify plugin is on remote host

ESC Key Issues

If ESC doesn’t interrupt Claude:

1. Go to Settings → Tools → Terminal
2. Click “Configure terminal keybindings”
3. Find “Switch focus to Editor”
4. Delete that shortcut

This prevents IDE from capturing ESC key.

Terminal Configuration

Setting Up Keybindings

1. Run terminal setup

   /terminal-setup

   This configures Shift+Enter for multiline input

2. Manual configuration for different terminals

   iTerm2
   • Preferences → Keys → Key Bindings
   • Add: Shift+Enter → Send Text: \x1b[13;2u
   macOS Terminal
   • Preferences → Profiles → Keyboard
   • Add: Shift+Return → \033[13;2u
   VS Code Terminal

   Auto-configured by /terminal-setup

Multiline Input Options

Entering Multiline Text

Method	Shortcut	Works In
Quick Escape	\ + Enter	All terminals
Shift+Enter	Shift + Enter	After setup
Option+Enter	Option + Enter	macOS default
Paste Mode	Direct paste	For code blocks
Vim Mode	/vim then o/O	With Vim enabled

Terminal-Specific Tips

iTerm2

Recommended Settings:

• Enable “Unlimited scrollback”
• Set up system notifications
• Configure semantic history
• Use profiles for different projects

Notifications:

# Enable iTerm2 notifications
claude config set preferredNotifChannel iterm2_with_bell

Windows Terminal

WSL Integration:

• Use WSL 2 for best performance
• Configure default profile to WSL
• Set up proper color scheme
• Enable Unicode support

Tmux/Screen

Session Management:

• Create dedicated Claude windows
• Use pane splitting for multiple instances
• Configure proper escape sequences
• Preserve sessions across disconnects

Advanced Features

Connecting External Terminals

Use /ide command to connect Claude Code running in external terminal to your IDE:

1. Open IDE with your project

2. In external terminal

   cd /path/to/project
   claude
   /ide

3. Claude detects and connects to IDE

   • Enables diff viewing
   • Shares diagnostics
   • Syncs file context

Custom Diff Tools

Configure your preferred diff viewer:

Diff tool configuration

{
"diffTool": "auto",  // Auto-detect IDE
// Or specify explicitly:
// "diffTool": "vscode"
// "diffTool": "intellij"
// "diffTool": "meld"
// "diffTool": "vimdiff"
}

Vim Mode in Claude Code

Enable Vim keybindings within Claude:

1. Enable Vim mode

   /vim

   Or configure permanently:

   claude config set vimMode true

2. Supported commands

   • Mode switching: Esc, i, a, o
   • Navigation: h/j/k/l, w/e/b, 0/$
   • Editing: x, dd, cc, . (repeat)
   • And more standard Vim commands

Workflow Optimization

IDE + Claude Code Patterns

Effective Workflows

1. Quick Fix Pattern

• See error in IDE
• Cmd+Esc to launch Claude
• “Fix the TypeScript error in UserService.ts”
• Review diff in IDE
• Accept or modify

2. Feature Development

• Write tests in IDE
• Launch Claude: “Implement the UserProfile component to pass these tests”
• Watch live implementation
• Debug in IDE

3. Code Review Prep

• Select code block
• Launch Claude: “Review this code for security issues”
• Get instant feedback
• Fix issues before PR

Performance Tips

Optimizing IDE Integration

1. Close unused Claude sessions - Each consumes memory
2. Use project-specific instances - Don’t mix contexts
3. Configure .claudeignore - Exclude large files
4. Disable unused features - Turn off diagnostics if not needed
5. Use /clear regularly - Reset context between tasks

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Extension Not Loading

Symptoms: Shortcuts don’t work, no Claude button

Solutions:

1. Verify Claude Code is installed: claude --version
2. Check IDE CLI tool: which code (or cursor, etc.)
3. Manually trigger install from terminal
4. Check extension logs in IDE

Diff Not Showing

Symptoms: Changes appear in terminal, not IDE

Solutions:

1. Run /config and set diff tool to “auto”
2. Ensure you started Claude from IDE terminal
3. Try /ide command to reconnect
4. Check file permissions

Slow Performance

Symptoms: Lag when launching or switching

Solutions:

1. Close other Claude instances
2. Increase terminal buffer size
3. Exclude large directories in .gitignore
4. Use /compact to reduce context

Platform-Specific Notes

macOS

• Use native Terminal.app or iTerm2 for best experience
• Configure keyboard shortcuts in System Preferences if needed
• Enable accessibility permissions for keyboard shortcuts

Windows

• Prefer WSL 2 over native Windows
• Use Windows Terminal for modern experience
• Configure Git Bash path if using native mode

Linux

• Works with all major terminals
• May need to configure keybindings manually
• Check shell compatibility (bash/zsh/fish)

Next Steps

Development Workflow Learn the optimal workflow from PRD to implementation

Advanced Features Master hooks, custom commands, and automation

Quick Reference

Action	VS Code	JetBrains	Terminal
Launch Claude	Cmd+Esc	Cmd+Esc	claude
Stop Claude	Esc	Esc	Esc
File Reference	Cmd+Opt+K	Cmd+Opt+K	Type @file
Multiline	Auto	Auto	\+Enter
Clear Screen	N/A	N/A	Ctrl+L
Exit	N/A	N/A	Ctrl+D

Remember: The IDE integration is designed to be invisible when it’s working correctly - you get all the benefits without thinking about it.