> ## 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.

# VS Code Integration

> Use Claude Code with the VS Code extension for in-editor AI assistance.

The Claude Code VS Code extension connects your editor to Claude Code running in the terminal, enabling context-aware assistance based on your open files and selections.

## Installation

<Steps>
  <Step title="Install Claude Code">
    Make sure Claude Code CLI is installed and authenticated:

    ```bash theme={null}
    npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
    claude /login
    ```
  </Step>

  <Step title="Install the VS Code extension">
    Search for "Claude Code" in the VS Code Extensions panel (`Ctrl+Shift+X`) and install it.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Open a project">
    Open your project folder in VS Code. The extension connects automatically when you start Claude Code in that directory.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Start Claude Code">
    Open a terminal in VS Code (`Ctrl+`\`\`) and run:

    ```bash theme={null}
    claude
    ```

    The extension detects the running instance and establishes the bridge connection.
  </Step>
</Steps>

## Features

### Current file context

Claude automatically knows what file you have open:

```
> Explain what this file does
> Add error handling to this module
> Write tests for the functions in this file
```

### Selection-based editing

Highlight code in VS Code, then ask Claude to work on it:

```
> Refactor this selection to be more readable
> What does this selected code do?
> Convert this to TypeScript
```

### Navigate to code

Claude can open files and jump to specific lines in VS Code:

```
> Show me where parseToken is defined
> Open the auth middleware
```

### Diff view

Proposed file changes appear as diffs in VS Code's standard diff viewer, letting you review and accept/reject changes line by line.

## The /desktop command

The `/desktop` command hands off a terminal session to the Claude desktop app, which integrates with VS Code at a deeper level:

```
> /desktop
```

<Tip>
  Keep the Claude Code terminal visible alongside your editor. The split-view workflow — editor on left, Claude on right — is the most efficient setup.
</Tip>