> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/killlowkey/claude-code/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# IDE Integration

> Connect Claude Code to VS Code and JetBrains IDEs for a seamless coding experience.

Claude Code includes a bridge system that connects to IDE extensions, enabling bidirectional communication between the CLI and your editor. This lets Claude see your current file, selection, and cursor position — and navigate your IDE directly.

## How the bridge works

The bridge (`src/bridge/`) establishes a communication channel between the Claude Code CLI and IDE extensions using a local socket. The IDE extension sends context (open file, selection, cursor) to Claude Code, and Claude Code can trigger IDE actions (open files, show diffs, navigate to definitions).

**Key components:**

* `bridgeMain.ts` — Main bridge event loop
* `bridgeMessaging.ts` — Message protocol between CLI and IDE
* `replBridge.ts` — Bridges the REPL session to the IDE
* `jwtUtils.ts` — JWT-based auth for the bridge connection
* `sessionRunner.ts` — Manages session execution through the bridge

## Capabilities

With an IDE extension connected, Claude Code gains:

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="File context" icon="file-code">
    Claude sees your currently open file and cursor position without you needing to paste it
  </Card>

  <Card title="Selection awareness" icon="text-slash">
    Highlight code and Claude works on exactly that selection
  </Card>

  <Card title="Navigate to code" icon="arrow-pointer">
    Claude can open files and jump to specific lines in your editor
  </Card>

  <Card title="Inline diffs" icon="code-compare">
    View Claude's proposed changes as diffs directly in the IDE
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Supported IDEs

* [VS Code](/advanced/vscode) — via the Claude Code VS Code extension
* [JetBrains](/advanced/jetbrains) — via the Claude Code JetBrains plugin (IntelliJ IDEA, WebStorm, PyCharm, GoLand, etc.)

## Using the bridge

Once the IDE extension is installed and connected:

```
> Explain the function my cursor is on
> Refactor the selected code to use async/await
> Fix the error on line 42 of the current file
```

Claude automatically uses the IDE context — you don't need to paste file contents or specify paths when working on the open file.

<Note>
  The bridge connection uses a local socket and JWT authentication. No code leaves your machine through the bridge — it's a local communication channel only.
</Note>