Claude Code

What is Claude Code?

Claude Code is an agentic coding tool from Anthropic that runs in the terminal and also integrates with IDEs such as VS Code and JetBrains. You describe a task in plain language, and it reads the relevant files, edits code, runs commands and tests, and works with git, asking for permission before actions that change your system. It is built for developers who are comfortable working from the command line and want an assistant that can handle multi-step work across a whole repository. Its differences lie in how much it can do on its own and how far it can be customized: project memory files, custom commands, hooks, subagents and Model Context Protocol servers let teams adapt it to their own workflows.

Key features of Claude Code

• Terminal-based agent

  Reads code, edits files and runs shell commands from a conversation in your terminal.

• IDE integrations

  Works with VS Code and JetBrains IDEs to show diffs and share editor context.

• Permission controls

  Asks before editing files or running commands, with configurable allow rules.

• Project memory

  Reads a CLAUDE.md file for project conventions and instructions.

• Extensibility

  Supports custom slash commands, hooks, subagents and MCP servers.

• Git workflows

  Can create commits, branches and pull request descriptions.

How to use Claude Code

1. 01Install Claude Code using the official installer or package instructions from Anthropic.
2. 02Run the claude command inside your project folder and sign in with your Claude account or API key.
3. 03Describe the task you want done, such as fixing a failing test or adding a feature.
4. 04Approve or decline the file edits and commands Claude Code proposes.
5. 05Review the final diff and commit the changes when you are satisfied.

Use cases of Claude Code

• Multi-file feature work

  Hand off a feature that touches many files and review the result.

• Debugging failing tests

  Let it run the test suite, read the failures and propose fixes.

• Codebase onboarding

  Ask questions about architecture and data flow in a new repository.

• Automating repetitive changes

  Apply migrations, renames or dependency updates across a project.

Claude Code pros and cons

FAQ about Claude Code