AI coding agent
Claude Code
Claude Code is Anthropic's agentic coding tool. It reads a codebase, edits files, runs commands and connects to development tools, and it runs in the terminal, in VS Code, Cursor and JetBrains IDEs, in a desktop app and in the browser at claude.ai/code. Most surfaces require a Claude subscription or an Anthropic Console account.
Last reviewed 28 Oct 2026 · by Anthropic
Facts at a glance
| Developer | Anthropic |
|---|---|
| Type | Agentic coding tool and CLI |
| Surfaces | Terminal CLI, VS Code and Cursor extension, JetBrains plugin, desktop app for macOS and Windows, web at claude.ai/code, iOS and Android app |
| Install | Native installer scripts, Homebrew cask claude-code, WinGet Anthropic.ClaudeCode, apt, dnf or apk |
| Billing | Claude subscription or Anthropic Console account; the desktop app requires a paid subscription; terminal, VS Code and JetBrains also support third-party providers |
| Integrations | MCP servers, CLAUDE.md instructions, skills, hooks, subagents, GitHub Actions and GitLab CI/CD, Slack, scheduled tasks |
What Claude Code is used for
Anthropic's documentation describes Claude Code as a tool that builds features, fixes bugs, writes tests, resolves merge conflicts, creates commits and pull requests, and automates code review in CI. It is composable from the command line, so logs and diffs can be piped into it. Anthropic's S-1 credits Claude Code with much of the company's customer expansion, and the company's October 2026 announcements cite its use by state government developers in Utah and by scientists at Generate Biomedicines. The timeline below lists every story on this site that names Claude Code.
Questions people ask
- Where does Claude Code run?
- In the terminal, in VS Code, Cursor and JetBrains IDEs, in a desktop app for macOS and Windows, and in the browser at claude.ai/code, as well as from the Claude mobile apps, according to Anthropic's documentation.
- Does Claude Code need a paid plan?
- Anthropic's documentation says most surfaces require a Claude subscription or an Anthropic Console account, and the desktop app requires a paid subscription.