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1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsClaude Code is Anthropic’s agentic coding assistant. It can inspect a repository, edit files, run commands and tests, and connect with your development tools. You can use it from a terminal, VS Code, JetBrains IDEs, the Claude desktop app or a browser session. The right surface depends on how much local setup, visual review and automation your team needs.
This guide explains what Claude Code does, how access and installation work, how the interfaces differ, what current plan information means, and how to keep approval-based workflows safe.
What Claude Code does
Anthropic describes Claude Code as “an agentic coding tool that reads your codebase, edits files, runs commands, and integrates with your development tools.” In practice, you describe a goal and it can inspect relevant files, propose a plan, make changes, execute development commands and report results. It is intended for work such as:
- Building a feature across several files
- Diagnosing and fixing bugs
- Writing or updating tests
- Fixing lint errors throughout a project
- Resolving merge conflicts
- Updating dependencies
- Generating release notes and other repetitive engineering output
It is not a replacement for code review. The model can misunderstand a requirement, choose an unsafe command or change a critical file incorrectly. Treat every proposed edit and command as work that needs human review.
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Where you can use Claude Code
Terminal CLI
The command-line interface is the most complete workflow for developers who already work in a shell. It can operate in a repository, inspect files, run project commands and present changes for approval. Terminal use also fits scripts and existing developer-tool workflows.
VS Code
The VS Code extension adds inline diffs, mentions, plan review and conversation history. It is useful when you want Claude’s reasoning alongside the editor and want to inspect proposed changes without switching applications.
JetBrains IDEs
The JetBrains plugin supports interactive diff viewing and sharing selection context. Unlike the desktop app, it requires the Claude Code CLI to be installed separately, so plan for both the plugin and command-line setup.
Claude desktop app
The standalone desktop application includes Claude Code, so a separate CLI installation is not required for that surface. It supports visual diff review and multiple sessions, making it a practical choice when you prefer a graphical workflow.
Browser (web)
The web surface lets you start browser-based sessions without local setup. It is convenient for trying Claude Code or working from a machine where installing software is not possible, but local repository access and tool behavior differ from the terminal and IDE workflows.
| Surface | Local setup | Notable workflow |
|---|---|---|
| Terminal | CLI installation | Full-featured shell workflow and command execution |
| VS Code | Extension and supported account/provider | Inline diffs, mentions, plan review and history |
| JetBrains | Plugin plus Claude Code CLI | Interactive diffs and selection context |
| Desktop | Install the app; CLI not required | Visual diff review and multiple sessions |
| Web | No local setup | Browser-based sessions |
These surfaces are not interchangeable in setup or permissions. Check the current documentation before standardizing an organization-wide workflow: Anthropic’s overview and advanced setup guide are the authoritative references.
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Accounts, providers and current plan access
Anthropic’s current setup guidance says Claude Code requires a Pro, Max, Team, Enterprise or Console account. A free Claude plan does not include Claude Code access. The terminal CLI, VS Code and JetBrains integrations also support third-party providers; the exact provider list and feature availability can change, so verify the live setup documentation for your account route.
The pricing page currently lists these examples:
| Plan | Published price example | Billing context | Claude Code listing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pro | $17 per month | Annual subscription discount; $200 billed up front | Listed feature |
| Pro | $20 per month | Monthly billing | Listed feature |
| Max | From $100 per month | Starting price shown by Anthropic | Listed feature |
| Team and Enterprise | Varies | Organization plan and billing terms | Listed feature |
Prices and plan terms are volatile, and usage limits apply. Anthropic states, “Price and plans are subject to change at Anthropic’s discretion.” Confirm the current amount, limits, supported models and administrative controls on the live pricing page before subscribing. Plan inclusion does not mean unlimited use.
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Anthropic’s setup guide recommends the native installer and also documents Homebrew, WinGet, Linux package managers and npm. Choose one installation route rather than layering several package-manager installs over the same binary.
Native installer and update behavior
Native installations update in the background. Package-manager installations generally require manual upgrades unless you configure your package manager to update them. This distinction matters for teams that need predictable versions or centrally managed upgrades.
Windows choices
Windows users can run Claude Code natively or through WSL. Git for Windows is optional for native Windows use; the setup guide notes that it enables the Bash tool. Select the environment that matches your repository tooling and security policy.
First-run checklist
- Choose the surface: terminal, IDE, desktop or web.
- Create or use a supported Pro, Max, Team, Enterprise or Console account.
- Install the native application or the package-manager version documented for your operating system.
- Open the target repository or start a web session.
- Authenticate when prompted and verify that the selected provider and organization are correct.
- Begin with a read-only request, such as asking Claude to summarize the project structure.
Installation commands and supported operating-system details change more frequently than conceptual documentation. Use the exact commands in Anthropic’s current setup guide rather than copying an old blog post.
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Permissions and safe operation
Manual mode
In Manual permission mode, Claude Code starts read-only. When it needs to edit files, run tests or execute another command, it asks for approval. You can approve an action once or allow it from then on. This is a useful default for unfamiliar repositories because you see the proposed operation before it changes your environment.
Other modes and boundaries
Permission behavior depends on the selected mode, surface, settings, plan and organization policy. Anthropic documents sandboxed Bash, working-directory boundaries, allowlists and related protections. Auto mode uses a separate classifier to review actions, but automation does not remove the need for review.
Anthropic’s security guidance is explicit: “You’re responsible for reviewing proposed code and commands for safety before approval.” Apply that responsibility to both code edits and shell operations.
A practical approval checklist
- Read the complete command, including redirects, substitutions and network destinations.
- Check the files in the proposed diff, especially deployment, authentication, configuration and migration files.
- Prefer project-local test commands and inspect their output before allowing follow-up changes.
- Keep secrets out of prompts and do not grant broader directory access than necessary.
- Use a virtual machine for scripts or tool calls that interact with external web services when the risk warrants isolation.
- Do not pipe untrusted content directly into Claude; copy only the relevant, reviewed portion.
Anthropic also warns that no system is completely immune to attacks. These are vendor-recommended safeguards, not an independent security certification.
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Choosing an interface
Choose terminal when
You live in a shell, need repeatable commands, or want the broadest command-line workflow. It is also the natural route for CI-adjacent experimentation, provided credentials, network access and approval policies are carefully controlled.
Choose VS Code when
You want inline diffs, editor context, plan review and conversation history in one workspace.
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Choose JetBrains when
Your team works primarily in a JetBrains IDE and values interactive diffs and selection context. Remember that the CLI is a separate prerequisite.
Choose desktop when
You prefer visual review and multiple concurrent sessions without installing the CLI separately.
Choose web when
You need a browser-only session or cannot install local software. Verify what repository and tool access your organization permits before sending source code to a hosted session.
Typical workflow for a real task
- Start in Manual mode and ask Claude to inspect the repository and restate the task.
- Ask for a plan before edits, including files it expects to change and tests it will run.
- Review the plan for scope, dependencies, data handling and possible destructive commands.
- Approve narrowly scoped edits and inspect each diff.
- Run tests, linting and type checks; investigate failures instead of approving blind retries.
- Review the final diff yourself and use your normal pull-request and deployment controls.
Troubleshooting common problems
Access denied or missing Claude Code
Confirm that the account is Pro, Max, Team, Enterprise or Console. A free claude.ai plan is not listed as including Claude Code. If you use a third-party provider, verify that the selected surface supports it.
JetBrains integration cannot connect
Install and authenticate the Claude Code CLI separately, then verify that the plugin points to that installation.
Commands are repeatedly blocked
Read the requested permission and check the active mode, working-directory boundary, sandbox and allowlist. Do not switch to a broader mode merely to bypass a warning; adjust the task or policy deliberately.
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Changes are too broad
Stop the session, revert unreviewed edits using your normal version-control workflow, and restart with a narrower prompt naming the allowed directories and acceptance tests.
Unexpected usage or billing
Review the account route, plan limits and session activity. Claude Code access is plan-based but not unlimited; current limits and prices are shown on Anthropic’s pricing page.
Or skip the browser setup
If your goal is to give Claude Code or another agent a clean visual reference of a web page, ScreenshotNeo provides a single-call screenshot API and MCP server. It accepts cookie and consent banners before capture and removes more than 60 known consent platforms, newsletter popups and chat widgets; those steps can be disabled individually. Bot checks, CAPTCHAs, blank pages, timeouts, failed loads and cache hits are not billed, and each response reports page and billing status in X-Page-Verdict and X-Billed headers.
cURL:
curl -G "https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot" -d access_key=YOUR_API_KEY --data-urlencode url=https://stripe.com -o shot.webpPython:
import requests
r = requests.get("https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot", params={"access_key": "YOUR_API_KEY", "url": "https://stripe.com"}, timeout=90)
open("shot.webp", "wb").write(r.content)Node.js:
const q = new URLSearchParams({ access_key: 'YOUR_API_KEY', url: 'https://stripe.com' });
const res = await fetch(`https://api.screenshotneo.com/v1/shot?${q}`);See the ScreenshotNeo API documentation for parameters. Its MCP server exposes take_screenshot, get_page_info and capture_pdf to Claude, Cursor and other MCP clients. The Free plan includes 1,000 screenshots per month with no card; paid plans start at $5 for 3,000 shots. Create a free ScreenshotNeo account.
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FAQ
Can Claude Code work without installing anything?
Yes. The web surface supports browser-based sessions without local setup. The desktop app also bundles Claude Code, while JetBrains requires a separate CLI installation.
Is Claude Code included with the free Claude plan?
No. Anthropic’s current setup documentation lists Pro, Max, Team, Enterprise and Console access routes, not the free claude.ai plan.
Does Manual mode guarantee safe changes?
No. It creates approval checkpoints and starts read-only, but you remain responsible for reviewing proposed code and commands.
Can organizations use third-party providers?
The terminal CLI, VS Code and JetBrains support third-party providers, subject to the current provider list and feature availability.
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Claude Code is best understood as a supervised coding agent rather than an autonomous replacement for engineering review. Pick the surface that matches your workflow, verify the current plan and provider terms, start with Manual permissions, and inspect every consequential diff and command.
Quick Recap
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