Claude for VS Code

I designed Claude for VS Code over a few months at Anthropic — our first Claude Code product outside the terminal. We explored a bunch of ways of showing Claude's activity: show every tool call, or just some? Only show todos? A narrative format with tools interspersed?

Exploring ways to show Claude's activity

Ultimately, Claude for VS Code is faithful to Claude Code in Terminal: same UI, same mechanics, but right at home in VS Code.

Same experience, new surface

You shouldn't have to choose between keyboard-driven efficiency and an intuitive interface. Browse the UI with your mouse, or use a Figma-inspired command menu.

Command menu for keyboard navigation

My favorite detail is the typing indicator. A little hackery, mostly something to look at.

Typing indicator animation

This release is about parity: bringing Claude Code to a new, more accessible surface. Up next: see what new stuff we can do with all these pixels.