Base Usage & IDE Integration (VS Code, JetBrains, Neovim)

Base usage and IDE integration

Claude Code can be used in four shapes. Pick the one that matches the work in front of you.

Mode 1 — Terminal-only

cd ~/projects/myapp
claude
> Refactor src/auth/middleware.ts to use the new TokenService.

Best for: server work, quick edits, anything where your hands are already on the terminal.

Mode 2 — IDE companion

Install the official extension:

• VS Code / Cursor / Windsurf — search "Claude Code" in the marketplace
• JetBrains (IntelliJ, PHPStorm, WebStorm, RubyMine, etc.) — search "Claude Code" in plugins
• Neovim — the community plugin claude.nvim works well

The integration adds:

• A keybind (default Cmd/Ctrl + Esc) to open Claude Code with your current selection as context
• Live diff preview on file edits
• Click-to-jump on file paths Claude prints

Best for: most everyday coding work.

Mode 3 — Sidecar

Run Claude Code in a separate terminal window beside your editor. Claude has full filesystem access; the editor stays out of the loop.

Best for: long refactors where Claude is making sweeping changes and you want to review without distraction.

Mode 4 — Headless

claude -p "Add a CHANGELOG entry for the latest commit" --output-format json

Headless mode runs Claude one-shot, prints structured output, and exits. This is the foundation of Ralph loops, scheduled tasks, and CI integrations (covered in chapters 5 and 6).

Setting up the VS Code integration end-to-end

1. Open VS Code in your project: code .
2. Install the Claude Code extension.
3. Press Cmd+Esc (macOS) / Ctrl+Esc (Windows/Linux). Claude Code opens in a panel.
4. Select code in your editor → press Cmd+Esc again → that selection is added to Claude's context.
5. Claude's file edits appear as a diff in the editor; accept or reject inline.

JetBrains specific

JetBrains exposes the same chord but routes through the IDE's built-in terminal. If Cmd+Esc conflicts with another binding, change it under Preferences → Keymap → "Open Claude Code".

Neovim specific

-- After installing claude.nvim via lazy.nvim or packer
vim.keymap.set('n', '<leader>cc', '<cmd>ClaudeCode<cr>')
vim.keymap.set('v', '<leader>cc', '<cmd>ClaudeCodeWithSelection<cr>')

Try it

Install the IDE extension that matches your editor, set the keybind to Cmd/Ctrl + Esc, and run a small task end-to-end (rename a variable across three files). Notice how the diff preview changes the trust loop.