Claude Code

Claude Code is Anthropic's agentic coding tool. Official docs say it reads your codebase, edits files, runs commands, and hooks into the rest of the toolchain. It is no longer "just a CLI": the same product now ships in the terminal, VS Code, JetBrains, a desktop app, the browser, and the Claude mobile apps. Most surfaces need a Claude subscription or an Anthropic Console account. The terminal CLI and VS Code also accept third-party providers.

Key Features

Repo-native loop: Explore, edit, run tests, and commit from one agent session.
Four official surfaces: Native install or Homebrew/WinGet for the CLI; IDE extensions; Desktop with git-isolated parallel sessions; web/cloud with --cloud and --teleport.
Project memory: CLAUDE.md, auto memory, skills, subagents, hooks, plugins, and MCP live under .claude/ and ~/.claude/.
Remote and mobile: Continue a local session from the phone or browser with Remote Control. Web sessions can open a GitHub repo and return a PR.
Teams of agents: Subagents, agent view, worktrees, ultrareview, GitHub Actions, and scheduled routines are first-party, not unofficial add-ons.

Use Cases

Day-to-day repo work in a local checkout when you want the model to run the tools you already have.
PR review and security scans with official plugins and /code-review ultra.
Cloud handoff when you start on a laptop and finish from the phone.

Pricing

Claude Code is bundled with Claude consumer and Console plans, not sold as a separate SKU.

Plan	Price on that page	Notes
Free	$0	Limited.
Pro	$20 / month, or $17 / month when billed $200 / year	Everyday seat. Claude Code is listed on Pro.
Max	From $100 / person / month	5x or 20x Pro usage. $200 is the 20x seat on the help-center table.
Team Standard	$25 / person / month annual, $30 monthly	Chat and projects. Minimum 5 members.
Team Premium	$150 / person / month	The row that includes Claude Code. Minimum 5 members.

A separate first-party note: weekly Claude Code limits are +50% through 2026-08-31 for Pro, Max, and Team (help center). API/Console usage is metered separately if you point the CLI at an API key.

Getting Started

Install the CLI with curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash on macOS/Linux/WSL, or the PowerShell/CMD scripts on Windows. Homebrew (brew install --cask claude-code) and winget install Anthropic.ClaudeCode also work but do not auto-update.
cd into a repo and start Claude Code. Prefer a Claude login unless you have a Console or third-party setup.
Add a CLAUDE.md and only then turn on Agent-style permissions.
Read the overview before you enable computer use or cloud routines.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it only a terminal tool?

No. Docs list terminal, IDE, desktop, browser, and mobile. The CLI is still the full-featured local surface.

Do I need Claude Pro?

Most surfaces need a Claude subscription or Console. Confirm the current plan matrix on claude.com/pricing.

How is it different from Cursor?

Cursor is an editor. Claude Code is Anthropic's agent that can sit in the terminal, an IDE, or the cloud and operate your repo.

Alternatives

Codex CLI: OpenAI's terminal agent, billed through ChatGPT plans.
Cursor: Editor-native agent if you do not want a separate CLI.
Continue: Open-source VS Code/JetBrains agent after the Cursor acquisition.

Tips

Use native install if you want background updates. Homebrew and WinGet need a manual upgrade.
Keep hooks and MCP in .claude/ so the team shares the same permissions.
Confirm pricing whenever Anthropic ships a new Max or Team SKU.