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Claude Code for VSCode

203 points by tosh 1y ago

basemi 1y ago
[flagged]
coreyh14444 1y ago
AFAIK, this gets auto-installed when you launch Claude Code inside of VSCode (or Cursor) so no need to seek it out and install it this way, right?
- khaledh 1y ago
  Correct. From the extension web page: Auto-installation: When you launch Claude Code from within VSCode’s terminal, it automatically detects and installs the extension
- pxc 1y ago
  > this gets auto-installed when you launch Claude Code inside of VSCode Is it just me, or does that seem really invasive?
dewey 1y ago
What’s the actual difference between Cursor and Claude Code these days? I’ve used both and then just switched to Cursor because the company paid for it…but except the cli vs UI difference I couldn’t really spot any big differences as both did multi-file edits. The current state of having multiple editors open, or having to switch between JetBrains stuff and Cursor is really a bit of an annoying transition period (I hope).
- kajecounterhack 1y ago
  A lot of people use them together (cursor for IDE and claude code in the terminal inside the IDE). In terms of performance, their agents differ. The base model their agents use are the same, but for example how they look at your codebase or decide to farm tasks out to lesser models, and how they connect to tools all differ.
- garychalmers 1y ago
  Cursor forces you to switch to a different IDE (unless you'are already using VSCode), while Cloude-Code (or Aider) is simply a terminal that works in parallel to your current IDE, editing directly your project files. In my case the "IDE" is vim+tmux+bash and I prefer CLI assistants, but this applies also to people that uses a graphical IDE different from VSCode.
  - brulard 1y ago
    Doesn't it force you to switch to different IDE even when using VSCode? It's separate editor, right? At least that's how I used it. If it was just an extension, like this one, it would work so much better for me.
    - chrisweekly 1y ago
      I know that some VSC users use Cursor for inline edits (in the main IDE UX), and also use CC in VSC's integrated terminal.
- kissgyorgy 1y ago
  The difference is huge, not even close both in quality and usage. Claude Code is fully agentic, meaning you give it a task and fully implements everything, produces surprisingly good, working code. Can test, commit, run commands, log in to remote system, debug anything. It doesn't optimise for token usage, which Cursor heavily do, that's why it can produce higher quality code on first shots (the downside is that the cost is very high) Cursor's agent mode is very much in it's infrantry just catching up, but Cursor is essentially a tool for editing files, but Claude Code is like a junior developer.
  - 20wenty 1y ago
    Do you have details on what "optimise for token usage" looks like in Cursor? Or is your point more about how Cursor manages the context window?
  - cle 1y ago
    Cursor does all that stuff too perfectly fine.
  - jen729w 1y ago
    This does Cursor a disservice by not mentioning its deep integration. Cursor will suggest and complete code for you inline. You just tab-complete your way to a written function. It's mad. Claude Code doesn't do this. Cursor also has much better awareness of TypeScript. It'll fix errors as they occur, and you can right-click an issue and have it fixed. Contrast with CC where I've had to specify in CLAUDE.md to "NEVER EVER leave me with TS errors", and to do this it runs a CLI check using its integration, taking way longer to do the same thing.
    - pbedat 1y ago
      The CC vscode plugin can also fetch the errors and warnings reported to vscode by other plugins and language Servers, making the additional compile step obsolete
    - etothet 1y ago
      This is precisely what the CC extension does, no? At least that’s how the extension behaves in JetBrains IDEs.
- razemio 1y ago
  What are you doing that you do not feel a difference? Claude is superior for me in every single way. It is not even close. I mainly use scala, python, js and dart. Maybe curser is better with other languages? I can use claude to be a very productive assistant. Especially useful for small to medium changes. If I plan accordingly it is like magic. It tends to duplicate code but that us about it. Code produced by cursor needs alot of work the last time I tried. Often slowing me down instead of helping.
  - derwiki 1y ago
    Anecdata, but Cursor does fine for me with Ruby on Rails
- khaledh 1y ago
  One feature that is still exclusive to Cursor is the Cursor Tab feature. It almost always accurately predicts your next edit with high accuracy, based on your recent edits and cursor navigation. But from an agent perspective, Claude Code is much more tuned to understanding the task, breaking it down into small steps, and executing those steps with precision. Overall, IMO agentic coding is great for well defined tasks, especially when they're backed by tests. It still lacks though in deep technical discussions and being opinionated about architectural decisions, unless specifically nudged in a certain direction. This is an area where Gemini Pro excels at, but it sucks at as a coding agent. So I use both: Gemini Pro for high-level picture design, and Claude Code for executing the plan by giving it clear requirements. All while making some edits myself using Cursor Tab.
- chrsw 1y ago
  Claude Code is very impressive. It almost feels like another programmer sitting there with you in your terminal. It's not perfect and usually needs help understanding what you're trying to do but once all the pieces are in place and it gets going it's incredible. I'm not even using it properly in terms of giving it the right context it needs to truly understand my project. And I'm not using it for TypeScript or even any web development.
- nsingh2 1y ago
  One thing with Cursor is that you can use other non-anthropic models like o3 or Gemini. I've found o3 more useful for cracking localized difficult problems, and Gemini for large context refactoring.
  - SparkyMcUnicorn 1y ago
    Adding Gemini and/or o3 to Claude Code is nice sometimes[0]. Or you can use a router/proxy to swap out the provider entirely. https://github.com/BeehiveInnovations/zen-mcp-server https://github.com/BeehiveInnovations/zen-mcp-server
kissgyorgy 1y ago
This was already installed when you ran Claude Code in a VSCode terminal, I guess the difference is that now it's explicitly listed on the VSCode Marketplace.
- dezmou 1y ago
  So I won't get anything more that the file compare that appear when claude in terminal ask to modify a file ?
  - dezmou 1y ago
    The extension say "Tab awareness: Claude can see which files you have open in the editor" I don't know how to activate this, it would help me to not have to CD in the terminal each time
    - dezmou 1y ago
      Ok so I tested it by CD into a directory, and open a file from another directory, create an empty function and selecting the function in the editor, and asking claude to just "fill the function" it knew which text was selected in which file and filled the function, this will gain me some time
  - kissgyorgy 1y ago
    You can select lines, which will be added to the context (can't do that from the console), it can show the edited files in the VSCode editor, not just in the terminal.
- world2vec 1y ago
  From the extension's page: Features: - Auto-installation: When you launch Claude Code from within VSCode’s terminal, it automatically detects and installs the extension - Selection context: Selected text in the editor is automatically added to Claude’s context - Diff viewing: Code changes can be displayed directly in VSCode’s diff viewer instead of the terminal - Keyboard shortcuts: Support for shortcuts like Alt+Cmd+K to push selected code into Claude’s prompt - Tab awareness: Claude can see which files you have open in the editor - Configuration: Set diff tool to auto in /config to enable IDE integration features
peter-m80 1y ago
is there any benefit of using this instead of copilot agent mode with claude backend?
- monsieurbanana 1y ago
  This comment from elsewhere in this thread applies to vscode copilot as well: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44353972 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44353972
- 8thcross 1y ago
  Been using it for a couple days - The integration fixed the gap that required me to open the files for viewing updates, and changes made in real-time as compared to the terminal mode, which did things behind the scenes, and you had no idea what its doing. the series of nonsensical (but funny) names (Pondering, Twerking, Juggling, etc.) it gives are not useful after its initial fancy wears off..
zackify 1y ago
Seems like this is the exact same extension that’s been in use but it’s just now publicly on the extension marketplace.
jdmoreira 1y ago
Now this I'm excited about, Claude Code for Jetbrains! https://plugins.jetbrains.com/plugin/27310-claude-code-beta- https://plugins.jetbrains.com/plugin/27310-claude-code-beta-
- martypitt 1y ago
  Unsure why this is getting downvoted -- I'm equally excited to see this - thanks for sharing.
nithril 1y ago
VSCode is really the primary platform for AI/agentic plugins, receiving priority over other IDEs such as IntelliJ, this is understandable as it is free, supporting many languages, and really good. As a long-time IntelliJ user, I’m beginning to question whether it still makes sense to remain on this platform. Perhaps I’m too impatient and agentic plugins may reach parity on IntelliJ within a year but a year is quite a long time to wait in this really fast-evolving landscape. The intellij plugin in beta: https://plugins.jetbrains.com/plugin/27310-claude-code-beta-/versions https://plugins.jetbrains.com/plugin/27310-claude-code-beta-...
- e1g 1y ago
  While your observation is generally true, and I share your overall concern about my IDE of choice, in this specific example it doesn’t apply as the Claude Code plugin for IntelliJ offers exactly the same integration as their plugin for VSCode.
  - nithril 1y ago
    Is your affirmation based on a testing of both plugin? I'm genuily wondering the plugin quality as IntelliJ plugin is still in beta and the VScode one not
    - e1g 1y ago
      I use IntelliJ (WebStorm) as my daily driver, and Claude Code is an integral part of my workflow. I didn’t check VSCode specifically, but I did read the link to that extension - everything they describe is precisely how the Claude Code works within WebStorm (despite being labeled “Beta”)
      - nithril 1y ago
        Appreciate your input, but if you haven’t actually tested the VSCode integration, it’s hard to compare. Reading a feature list isn’t the same as using the tool.
23b 1y ago
Is there an advantage to this setup over using VSCode Copilot in Agent mode with Claude Sonnet 3.7 or 4? What am I missing out on?
- mmaunder 1y ago
  You have to try and experience claude code to answer this question. Otherwise it's just going to be a pointless debate here. If you live in a linux terminal you're going to be instantly addicted. Make sure you read the docs. Use a CLAUDE.md, create planning docs for big tasks in markup format, iterate on the planning doc until you're happy then get it to implement. And also use the technique of, as you approach the context limit have it write its memory to a file, /clear and then read that file back in. This gives you better mileage.
  - mertysn 1y ago
    How can you keep track of the current context limit if you are on Claude Pro or Max? I'm used to their desktop app for MCP use and there is no way to tell until the end-of-the-road popup shows up.
  - upcoming-sesame 1y ago
    Is the technique with writing memory to file mentioned somewhere ? interested to read
- brulard 1y ago
  I couldn't get Copilot agent mode to work with Playwright MCP. It was installed, it appeared in the tools selection config, but copilot insists it doesn't have access to any of its functions.
  - westonmyers 1y ago
    Which model? I had Claude Sonnet agent running Playwright just yesterday.
    - 1y ago
ewuhic 1y ago
Tangent, but does anyone use Roo for VSCode? And does browser in Roo work with Claude provided by GitHub copilot?
jbentley1 1y ago
I think integration into existing IDEs is the wrong form for agentic coding. The best way to work is managing several Git worktrees with agents running so you aren't stuck waiting 20+ minutes for Claude Code to finish. I built a UI to manage this, and it is starting to turn into a new type of IDE, based around agent management and review rather than working on one thing at a time. https://github.com/stravu/crystal https://github.com/stravu/crystal
- artursapek 1y ago
  When I try to run two CCs at once I quickly get 429 rate limited, even on the $200 plan
  - andy_ppp 1y ago
    Maybe the UI should allow you to still ask questions but in a queue to prevent this. It could have informative text like “waiting on 3 previous questions” and a progress bar of some kind.
  - jbentley1 1y ago
    Weird, I have not had this issue and I commonly run 5+ at once
- Etheryte 1y ago
  There's no reason you couldn't do the same thing as an IDE plugin.
  - jbentley1 1y ago
    Yes there is. IDEs just aren't designed for it. The main screen in an IDE is a single branch at a time, I want to be managing a swarm of agents on multiple branches/worktrees
    - radicalbyte 1y ago
      That needs isolation, which in practise means multiple machines..
jasonthorsness 1y ago
Diff viewing! My workflow has been terminals with Claude Code on the left and vscode on the right pretty much just for diffs; maybe this can replace that.
- josefrichter 1y ago
  It does. Among other things.
bionhoward 1y ago
I always get blocked in using Claude Code by basic logic What are you building that doesn’t compete with Anthropic? (Using your brain competes with Anthropic) — major legal risk How do we justify accepting the lack of privacy on Claude? Is it just for people doing FOSS? You’re cool with them reading your business codebase to verify you aren’t using your brain? Given it is logically impossible to not compete with general intelligence, and that I expect private github repos to remain private, I feel forced to think Claude Code is a nerd snipe / bad joke / toy
- barrkel 1y ago
  What is the lack of privacy on Claude Code? Aren't Pro and API both private and not used for training?
  - psi_chi_phi 1y ago
    That is also my understanding. They would never have any corporate clients if they were stealing and training on all of their paid queries.
- kordlessagain 1y ago
  The solution is simple: understand what the tool actually does before declaring it impossible to use. But then again, reading documentation requires... what's the word... effort. Claude Code stores feedback transcripts for only 30 days and has "clear policies against using feedback for model training": Privacy safeguards We have implemented several safeguards to protect your data, including limited retention periods for sensitive information, restricted access to user session data, and clear policies against using feedback for model training.
b0a04gl 1y ago
how our workflow starts changing when we realize it can hold multi step intent. l we stop thinking file by file. we start thinking in actions. "split this module, write tests, refactor callers" becomes a single unit in out head because Claude understands that as a unit too( maximum efforts mode ). this slowly rewires how we approach code. we stop worrying about syntax early, we write more scaffolds, we batch tasks more. subtle shift but huge long term effect. how soon before we start designing codebases for LLM agents to navigate more cleanly? flat structures, less indirection, more declarative metadata
- yomismoaqui 1y ago
  > how soon before we start designing codebases for LLM agents to navigate more cleanly? flat structures, less indirection, more declarative metadata This is something that I have been mulling over since I heard reports that LLMs work very well with languages like Go (explicit static typing, simple syntax, only 1 way to do things...) Seems like with humans, the less we have to worry about the incidental complexity imposed by the tools we are using (language, framework, lib...) the more brain bandwidth we have available to use to solve a problem with code.
  - Paradigma11 1y ago
    I think we might see rising popularity of languages that give you more tools to make illegal state unrepresentable. While it is great that there is so much python/js code that a LLM knows to avoid wide stretches of wrong terrain, but who cares if you can just use a language that makes that impossible in the first place. Maybe something like https://flix.dev/ https://flix.dev/ with many analyzers.
- kissgyorgy 1y ago
  > how soon before we start designing codebases for LLM agents to navigate more cleanly? It's already happening. Armin Ronacher started writing more Go code instead of Python because it understand it better. My coworker changed writing a Desktop app in Rust, because it can navigate it better because of better tooling and type system. People already thinking about how to write documentation for AI instead of other people, etc.
fritzo 1y ago
One thing I prefer about Cursor is that it stores and manages the long prompts I enter. I abandoned Claude Code after I typed in a long paragraph of prompt then accidentally hit an arrow key and lost all my prompt-writing work. Prompts are valuable, and Cursor treats them as valuable, whereas Claude Code seems to expect throw-away one-liners. Has this been fixed? Does the vscode Claude Code plugin retain prompts more reliably?
- SV_BubbleTime 1y ago
  In Claude if you write something and hit the arrow and it’s gone, you’ve hit the other arrow when it comes back. If I remember correctly, this is even true between instances of Claude on the same terminal. I am in a container, so if I close rebuild my container obviously that’s gone.
  - AlwaysRock 1y ago
    Yeah, up will go to the previous prompt. Down will go back to the "current" one, right?
- kordlessagain 1y ago
  I use Claude Desktop to write the plan (the prompt) and then tell Claude Code to read that file to do heavy lifting. If I'm working on several projects at once, I open multiple WSL based Claudes. In Claude Desktop, I have several tools I've vibed which manage context and notes for the projects: https://github.com/kordless/gnosis-evolve https://github.com/kordless/gnosis-evolve I did try to get Claude Desktop to send comms to Claude Code, but got stuck on a few things related to the terminal emulation in Windows. I have session list, load, and save tools. If a character is embodied that is working on a project, that goes in the session information and the character is loaded (embodied) when you start a new session. Making characters is done with the character generator tool, which strongly randomizes traits. Traits can related to ability (or inability) to run tools. Why have a personality in the AI? Because it keeps it fun and changes the tone of the code commenting and planning. And it affects tool runs... > We are Groot! completely deadpan delivery while already analyzing the situation There are notes on projects (folders) and any files it created for planning usually goes in /notes in the folder. Claude Code does have some ability to save sessions, but I don't edit it much myself. That would be a better job for Claude Desktop.
bicx 1y ago
What I'd like: - Top-tier `git worktree`-based context switching in the same IDE window. - A framework for attaching terminal-based agents to each worktree branch. Eventually this should evolve into a better open protocol for integration, primarily for diffs, permission request notifications, and progress indicators. - A sidebar that monitors agent status/notifications on each active worktree branch. - A quick notification-style way of responding to agent prompts across all branches. This has been built in standalone agent manager tools, but I can't use those tools effectively when I need to quickly jump in and be an engineer. - Branch-context-level association with browser test windows or mobile emulator/simulator instances. - Strong code completion capabilities via other faster models, a great extension ecosystem with lots of language server support, and function as a high-quality IDE. Right now, I'm managing multiple macOS desktops with different instances of Windsurf running Claude agents in-terminal, and web browser windows / mobile emulators/simulators are dragged into the respective desktops for each instance. It's clunky.
- kordlessagain 1y ago
  > A quick notification-style way of responding to agent prompts across all branches. This has been built in standalone agent manager tools, but I can't use those tools effectively when I need to quickly jump in and be an engineer. I tried, unsuccessfully, to write a plugin for VSCode that would let Claude run a tool to jump me to the file and line it was editing. It sorta worked but kept hanging.
- visarga 1y ago
  What I'd like - a coding agent with debugging capabilities. Walk the stack, inspect local variables and arguments, basically seeing what is really happening as opposed to debugging by prints and asserts.
  - bicx 1y ago
    That could be interesting! And probably not all _that_ difficult to build, given the right interaction points and IDE APIs.
  - SparkyMcUnicorn 1y ago
yomismoaqui 1y ago
How does this compares to Amp (https://ampcode.com https://ampcode.com) a similar offering from Sourcegraph? (it also has a VSCode extension) Yesterday I burned 15€ (10€ free credit) trying Amp and I gotta said I was impressed. The next few years are going to be interesting.
AlwaysRock 1y ago
Thank god. I was shocked that there wasnt a bigger outrage last week when github decided that copilot was going to have premium request limits. I'm guessing we will see a much larger outcry when people hit their request limit a week into this month/billing period. Glad there is some competition.
- rafaelmn 1y ago
  Lol Claude code will burn through 10$ in a task.
  - golly_ned 1y ago
    It's practically unlimited usage with $100 or $200 subscription. Given prices elsewhere now I don't see how this is viable longer-run and not heavily subsidized by losses in anthropic
- cedws 1y ago
  I cancelled my Copilot subscription after years of use. I don’t like having something taken away from me and still having to pay the same price. I also don’t want to be mentally penny counting every time I hit enter.

203 points by tosh 1y ago

[flagged]

AFAIK, this gets auto-installed when you launch Claude Code inside of VSCode (or Cursor) so no need to seek it out and install it this way, right?

khaledh 1y ago
Correct. From the extension web page: Auto-installation: When you launch Claude Code from within VSCode’s terminal, it automatically detects and installs the extension
pxc 1y ago
> this gets auto-installed when you launch Claude Code inside of VSCode Is it just me, or does that seem really invasive?

dewey 1y ago

What’s the actual difference between Cursor and Claude Code these days? I’ve used both and then just switched to Cursor because the company paid for it…but except the cli vs UI difference I couldn’t really spot any big differences as both did multi-file edits. The current state of having multiple editors open, or having to switch between JetBrains stuff and Cursor is really a bit of an annoying transition period (I hope).

kajecounterhack 1y ago
A lot of people use them together (cursor for IDE and claude code in the terminal inside the IDE). In terms of performance, their agents differ. The base model their agents use are the same, but for example how they look at your codebase or decide to farm tasks out to lesser models, and how they connect to tools all differ.
garychalmers 1y ago
Cursor forces you to switch to a different IDE (unless you'are already using VSCode), while Cloude-Code (or Aider) is simply a terminal that works in parallel to your current IDE, editing directly your project files. In my case the "IDE" is vim+tmux+bash and I prefer CLI assistants, but this applies also to people that uses a graphical IDE different from VSCode.
- brulard 1y ago
  Doesn't it force you to switch to different IDE even when using VSCode? It's separate editor, right? At least that's how I used it. If it was just an extension, like this one, it would work so much better for me.
  - chrisweekly 1y ago
    I know that some VSC users use Cursor for inline edits (in the main IDE UX), and also use CC in VSC's integrated terminal.
kissgyorgy 1y ago
The difference is huge, not even close both in quality and usage. Claude Code is fully agentic, meaning you give it a task and fully implements everything, produces surprisingly good, working code. Can test, commit, run commands, log in to remote system, debug anything. It doesn't optimise for token usage, which Cursor heavily do, that's why it can produce higher quality code on first shots (the downside is that the cost is very high) Cursor's agent mode is very much in it's infrantry just catching up, but Cursor is essentially a tool for editing files, but Claude Code is like a junior developer.
- 20wenty 1y ago
  Do you have details on what "optimise for token usage" looks like in Cursor? Or is your point more about how Cursor manages the context window?
- cle 1y ago
  Cursor does all that stuff too perfectly fine.
- jen729w 1y ago
  This does Cursor a disservice by not mentioning its deep integration. Cursor will suggest and complete code for you inline. You just tab-complete your way to a written function. It's mad. Claude Code doesn't do this. Cursor also has much better awareness of TypeScript. It'll fix errors as they occur, and you can right-click an issue and have it fixed. Contrast with CC where I've had to specify in CLAUDE.md to "NEVER EVER leave me with TS errors", and to do this it runs a CLI check using its integration, taking way longer to do the same thing.
  - pbedat 1y ago
    The CC vscode plugin can also fetch the errors and warnings reported to vscode by other plugins and language Servers, making the additional compile step obsolete
  - etothet 1y ago
    This is precisely what the CC extension does, no? At least that’s how the extension behaves in JetBrains IDEs.
razemio 1y ago
What are you doing that you do not feel a difference? Claude is superior for me in every single way. It is not even close. I mainly use scala, python, js and dart. Maybe curser is better with other languages? I can use claude to be a very productive assistant. Especially useful for small to medium changes. If I plan accordingly it is like magic. It tends to duplicate code but that us about it. Code produced by cursor needs alot of work the last time I tried. Often slowing me down instead of helping.
- derwiki 1y ago
  Anecdata, but Cursor does fine for me with Ruby on Rails
khaledh 1y ago
One feature that is still exclusive to Cursor is the Cursor Tab feature. It almost always accurately predicts your next edit with high accuracy, based on your recent edits and cursor navigation. But from an agent perspective, Claude Code is much more tuned to understanding the task, breaking it down into small steps, and executing those steps with precision. Overall, IMO agentic coding is great for well defined tasks, especially when they're backed by tests. It still lacks though in deep technical discussions and being opinionated about architectural decisions, unless specifically nudged in a certain direction. This is an area where Gemini Pro excels at, but it sucks at as a coding agent. So I use both: Gemini Pro for high-level picture design, and Claude Code for executing the plan by giving it clear requirements. All while making some edits myself using Cursor Tab.
chrsw 1y ago
Claude Code is very impressive. It almost feels like another programmer sitting there with you in your terminal. It's not perfect and usually needs help understanding what you're trying to do but once all the pieces are in place and it gets going it's incredible. I'm not even using it properly in terms of giving it the right context it needs to truly understand my project. And I'm not using it for TypeScript or even any web development.
nsingh2 1y ago
One thing with Cursor is that you can use other non-anthropic models like o3 or Gemini. I've found o3 more useful for cracking localized difficult problems, and Gemini for large context refactoring.
- SparkyMcUnicorn 1y ago
  Adding Gemini and/or o3 to Claude Code is nice sometimes[0]. Or you can use a router/proxy to swap out the provider entirely. https://github.com/BeehiveInnovations/zen-mcp-server https://github.com/BeehiveInnovations/zen-mcp-server

kissgyorgy 1y ago

This was already installed when you ran Claude Code in a VSCode terminal, I guess the difference is that now it's explicitly listed on the VSCode Marketplace.

dezmou 1y ago
So I won't get anything more that the file compare that appear when claude in terminal ask to modify a file ?
- dezmou 1y ago
  The extension say "Tab awareness: Claude can see which files you have open in the editor" I don't know how to activate this, it would help me to not have to CD in the terminal each time
  - dezmou 1y ago
    Ok so I tested it by CD into a directory, and open a file from another directory, create an empty function and selecting the function in the editor, and asking claude to just "fill the function" it knew which text was selected in which file and filled the function, this will gain me some time
- kissgyorgy 1y ago
  You can select lines, which will be added to the context (can't do that from the console), it can show the edited files in the VSCode editor, not just in the terminal.
world2vec 1y ago
From the extension's page: Features: - Auto-installation: When you launch Claude Code from within VSCode’s terminal, it automatically detects and installs the extension - Selection context: Selected text in the editor is automatically added to Claude’s context - Diff viewing: Code changes can be displayed directly in VSCode’s diff viewer instead of the terminal - Keyboard shortcuts: Support for shortcuts like Alt+Cmd+K to push selected code into Claude’s prompt - Tab awareness: Claude can see which files you have open in the editor - Configuration: Set diff tool to auto in /config to enable IDE integration features

peter-m80 1y ago

is there any benefit of using this instead of copilot agent mode with claude backend?

monsieurbanana 1y ago
This comment from elsewhere in this thread applies to vscode copilot as well: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44353972 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44353972
8thcross 1y ago
Been using it for a couple days - The integration fixed the gap that required me to open the files for viewing updates, and changes made in real-time as compared to the terminal mode, which did things behind the scenes, and you had no idea what its doing. the series of nonsensical (but funny) names (Pondering, Twerking, Juggling, etc.) it gives are not useful after its initial fancy wears off..

zackify 1y ago

Seems like this is the exact same extension that’s been in use but it’s just now publicly on the extension marketplace.

jdmoreira 1y ago

Now this I'm excited about, Claude Code for Jetbrains! https://plugins.jetbrains.com/plugin/27310-claude-code-beta- https://plugins.jetbrains.com/plugin/27310-claude-code-beta-

martypitt 1y ago
Unsure why this is getting downvoted -- I'm equally excited to see this - thanks for sharing.

nithril 1y ago

VSCode is really the primary platform for AI/agentic plugins, receiving priority over other IDEs such as IntelliJ, this is understandable as it is free, supporting many languages, and really good. As a long-time IntelliJ user, I’m beginning to question whether it still makes sense to remain on this platform. Perhaps I’m too impatient and agentic plugins may reach parity on IntelliJ within a year but a year is quite a long time to wait in this really fast-evolving landscape. The intellij plugin in beta: https://plugins.jetbrains.com/plugin/27310-claude-code-beta-/versions https://plugins.jetbrains.com/plugin/27310-claude-code-beta-...

e1g 1y ago
While your observation is generally true, and I share your overall concern about my IDE of choice, in this specific example it doesn’t apply as the Claude Code plugin for IntelliJ offers exactly the same integration as their plugin for VSCode.
- nithril 1y ago
  Is your affirmation based on a testing of both plugin? I'm genuily wondering the plugin quality as IntelliJ plugin is still in beta and the VScode one not
  - e1g 1y ago
    I use IntelliJ (WebStorm) as my daily driver, and Claude Code is an integral part of my workflow. I didn’t check VSCode specifically, but I did read the link to that extension - everything they describe is precisely how the Claude Code works within WebStorm (despite being labeled “Beta”)
    - nithril 1y ago
      Appreciate your input, but if you haven’t actually tested the VSCode integration, it’s hard to compare. Reading a feature list isn’t the same as using the tool.

23b 1y ago

Is there an advantage to this setup over using VSCode Copilot in Agent mode with Claude Sonnet 3.7 or 4? What am I missing out on?

mmaunder 1y ago
You have to try and experience claude code to answer this question. Otherwise it's just going to be a pointless debate here. If you live in a linux terminal you're going to be instantly addicted. Make sure you read the docs. Use a CLAUDE.md, create planning docs for big tasks in markup format, iterate on the planning doc until you're happy then get it to implement. And also use the technique of, as you approach the context limit have it write its memory to a file, /clear and then read that file back in. This gives you better mileage.
- mertysn 1y ago
  How can you keep track of the current context limit if you are on Claude Pro or Max? I'm used to their desktop app for MCP use and there is no way to tell until the end-of-the-road popup shows up.
- upcoming-sesame 1y ago
  Is the technique with writing memory to file mentioned somewhere ? interested to read
brulard 1y ago
I couldn't get Copilot agent mode to work with Playwright MCP. It was installed, it appeared in the tools selection config, but copilot insists it doesn't have access to any of its functions.
- westonmyers 1y ago
  Which model? I had Claude Sonnet agent running Playwright just yesterday.
  - 1y ago

ewuhic 1y ago

Tangent, but does anyone use Roo for VSCode? And does browser in Roo work with Claude provided by GitHub copilot?

jbentley1 1y ago

I think integration into existing IDEs is the wrong form for agentic coding. The best way to work is managing several Git worktrees with agents running so you aren't stuck waiting 20+ minutes for Claude Code to finish. I built a UI to manage this, and it is starting to turn into a new type of IDE, based around agent management and review rather than working on one thing at a time. https://github.com/stravu/crystal https://github.com/stravu/crystal

artursapek 1y ago
When I try to run two CCs at once I quickly get 429 rate limited, even on the $200 plan
- andy_ppp 1y ago
  Maybe the UI should allow you to still ask questions but in a queue to prevent this. It could have informative text like “waiting on 3 previous questions” and a progress bar of some kind.
- jbentley1 1y ago
  Weird, I have not had this issue and I commonly run 5+ at once
Etheryte 1y ago
There's no reason you couldn't do the same thing as an IDE plugin.
- jbentley1 1y ago
  Yes there is. IDEs just aren't designed for it. The main screen in an IDE is a single branch at a time, I want to be managing a swarm of agents on multiple branches/worktrees
  - radicalbyte 1y ago
    That needs isolation, which in practise means multiple machines..

jasonthorsness 1y ago

Diff viewing! My workflow has been terminals with Claude Code on the left and vscode on the right pretty much just for diffs; maybe this can replace that.

josefrichter 1y ago
It does. Among other things.

bionhoward 1y ago

I always get blocked in using Claude Code by basic logic What are you building that doesn’t compete with Anthropic? (Using your brain competes with Anthropic) — major legal risk How do we justify accepting the lack of privacy on Claude? Is it just for people doing FOSS? You’re cool with them reading your business codebase to verify you aren’t using your brain? Given it is logically impossible to not compete with general intelligence, and that I expect private github repos to remain private, I feel forced to think Claude Code is a nerd snipe / bad joke / toy

barrkel 1y ago
What is the lack of privacy on Claude Code? Aren't Pro and API both private and not used for training?
- psi_chi_phi 1y ago
  That is also my understanding. They would never have any corporate clients if they were stealing and training on all of their paid queries.
kordlessagain 1y ago
The solution is simple: understand what the tool actually does before declaring it impossible to use. But then again, reading documentation requires... what's the word... effort. Claude Code stores feedback transcripts for only 30 days and has "clear policies against using feedback for model training": Privacy safeguards We have implemented several safeguards to protect your data, including limited retention periods for sensitive information, restricted access to user session data, and clear policies against using feedback for model training.

b0a04gl 1y ago

how our workflow starts changing when we realize it can hold multi step intent. l we stop thinking file by file. we start thinking in actions. "split this module, write tests, refactor callers" becomes a single unit in out head because Claude understands that as a unit too( maximum efforts mode ). this slowly rewires how we approach code. we stop worrying about syntax early, we write more scaffolds, we batch tasks more. subtle shift but huge long term effect. how soon before we start designing codebases for LLM agents to navigate more cleanly? flat structures, less indirection, more declarative metadata

yomismoaqui 1y ago
> how soon before we start designing codebases for LLM agents to navigate more cleanly? flat structures, less indirection, more declarative metadata This is something that I have been mulling over since I heard reports that LLMs work very well with languages like Go (explicit static typing, simple syntax, only 1 way to do things...) Seems like with humans, the less we have to worry about the incidental complexity imposed by the tools we are using (language, framework, lib...) the more brain bandwidth we have available to use to solve a problem with code.
- Paradigma11 1y ago
  I think we might see rising popularity of languages that give you more tools to make illegal state unrepresentable. While it is great that there is so much python/js code that a LLM knows to avoid wide stretches of wrong terrain, but who cares if you can just use a language that makes that impossible in the first place. Maybe something like https://flix.dev/ https://flix.dev/ with many analyzers.
kissgyorgy 1y ago
> how soon before we start designing codebases for LLM agents to navigate more cleanly? It's already happening. Armin Ronacher started writing more Go code instead of Python because it understand it better. My coworker changed writing a Desktop app in Rust, because it can navigate it better because of better tooling and type system. People already thinking about how to write documentation for AI instead of other people, etc.

fritzo 1y ago

One thing I prefer about Cursor is that it stores and manages the long prompts I enter. I abandoned Claude Code after I typed in a long paragraph of prompt then accidentally hit an arrow key and lost all my prompt-writing work. Prompts are valuable, and Cursor treats them as valuable, whereas Claude Code seems to expect throw-away one-liners. Has this been fixed? Does the vscode Claude Code plugin retain prompts more reliably?

SV_BubbleTime 1y ago
In Claude if you write something and hit the arrow and it’s gone, you’ve hit the other arrow when it comes back. If I remember correctly, this is even true between instances of Claude on the same terminal. I am in a container, so if I close rebuild my container obviously that’s gone.
- AlwaysRock 1y ago
  Yeah, up will go to the previous prompt. Down will go back to the "current" one, right?
kordlessagain 1y ago
I use Claude Desktop to write the plan (the prompt) and then tell Claude Code to read that file to do heavy lifting. If I'm working on several projects at once, I open multiple WSL based Claudes. In Claude Desktop, I have several tools I've vibed which manage context and notes for the projects: https://github.com/kordless/gnosis-evolve https://github.com/kordless/gnosis-evolve I did try to get Claude Desktop to send comms to Claude Code, but got stuck on a few things related to the terminal emulation in Windows. I have session list, load, and save tools. If a character is embodied that is working on a project, that goes in the session information and the character is loaded (embodied) when you start a new session. Making characters is done with the character generator tool, which strongly randomizes traits. Traits can related to ability (or inability) to run tools. Why have a personality in the AI? Because it keeps it fun and changes the tone of the code commenting and planning. And it affects tool runs... > We are Groot! completely deadpan delivery while already analyzing the situation There are notes on projects (folders) and any files it created for planning usually goes in /notes in the folder. Claude Code does have some ability to save sessions, but I don't edit it much myself. That would be a better job for Claude Desktop.

bicx 1y ago

What I'd like: - Top-tier `git worktree`-based context switching in the same IDE window. - A framework for attaching terminal-based agents to each worktree branch. Eventually this should evolve into a better open protocol for integration, primarily for diffs, permission request notifications, and progress indicators. - A sidebar that monitors agent status/notifications on each active worktree branch. - A quick notification-style way of responding to agent prompts across all branches. This has been built in standalone agent manager tools, but I can't use those tools effectively when I need to quickly jump in and be an engineer. - Branch-context-level association with browser test windows or mobile emulator/simulator instances. - Strong code completion capabilities via other faster models, a great extension ecosystem with lots of language server support, and function as a high-quality IDE. Right now, I'm managing multiple macOS desktops with different instances of Windsurf running Claude agents in-terminal, and web browser windows / mobile emulators/simulators are dragged into the respective desktops for each instance. It's clunky.

kordlessagain 1y ago
> A quick notification-style way of responding to agent prompts across all branches. This has been built in standalone agent manager tools, but I can't use those tools effectively when I need to quickly jump in and be an engineer. I tried, unsuccessfully, to write a plugin for VSCode that would let Claude run a tool to jump me to the file and line it was editing. It sorta worked but kept hanging.
visarga 1y ago
What I'd like - a coding agent with debugging capabilities. Walk the stack, inspect local variables and arguments, basically seeing what is really happening as opposed to debugging by prints and asserts.
- bicx 1y ago
  That could be interesting! And probably not all _that_ difficult to build, given the right interaction points and IDE APIs.
- SparkyMcUnicorn 1y ago

yomismoaqui 1y ago

How does this compares to Amp (https://ampcode.com https://ampcode.com) a similar offering from Sourcegraph? (it also has a VSCode extension) Yesterday I burned 15€ (10€ free credit) trying Amp and I gotta said I was impressed. The next few years are going to be interesting.

AlwaysRock 1y ago

Thank god. I was shocked that there wasnt a bigger outrage last week when github decided that copilot was going to have premium request limits. I'm guessing we will see a much larger outcry when people hit their request limit a week into this month/billing period. Glad there is some competition.

rafaelmn 1y ago
Lol Claude code will burn through 10$ in a task.
- golly_ned 1y ago
  It's practically unlimited usage with $100 or $200 subscription. Given prices elsewhere now I don't see how this is viable longer-run and not heavily subsidized by losses in anthropic
cedws 1y ago
I cancelled my Copilot subscription after years of use. I don’t like having something taken away from me and still having to pay the same price. I also don’t want to be mentally penny counting every time I hit enter.