Claude Code Setup for VS Code

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VS Code Extension & Claude

Note: Please have VS Code installed.

Screenshot of a browser prompt asking for permission to open Visual Studio Code. The dialog states that https://code.claude.com wants to open the application and includes a checkbox option to always allow links of this type to open in the associated app. Open and Cancel buttons are displayed at the bottom of the prompt.

  • The page for the extension will open.
  • Click the blue Install button.

Screenshot of the Claude Code for VS Code extension page in Visual Studio Code. The extension, published by Anthropic, is displayed with an Install button, user rating, and download count. The page describes features such as working directly in the terminal, searching large codebases, and allowing Claude to explore code, read and write files, and run terminal commands. Marketplace details, including the extension identifier, version, publication date, and categories, are shown in a panel on the right.

  • A dialog asking to trust the publisher will open.
    • Select Trust Publisher & Install.

Screenshot of a Visual Studio Code security prompt asking “Do you trust the publisher ‘Anthropic’?” The dialog explains that the Claude Code for VS Code extension is published by Anthropic and that Anthropic has verified ownership of the anthropic.com domain. The message notes that Visual Studio Code does not control the behavior of third-party extensions and advises users to proceed only if they trust the publisher. Three buttons are displayed at the bottom: Trust Publisher & Install, Learn More, and Cancel.

  • A Claude button will appear in the top right of the VS Code Application once installation completes.
    • Click the Claude button.

Screenshot of the Visual Studio Code title bar showing the Claude Code icon highlighted near the top-right corner of the window. The icon indicates that the Claude Code extension is installed and available for use within VS Code. Additional window layout controls and the three-dot menu are visible nearby.

  • A login window will appear.
  • Click the orange Claude.ai Subscription.

Screenshot of the Claude Code extension panel in Visual Studio Code. The screen prompts the user to choose how Claude access will be billed and highlights the Claude.ai Subscription option with a red rectangle. Additional options for Anthropic Console and third-party API providers are listed below. The panel includes a pixel-art illustration at the top and explanatory text about using Claude through a Claude subscription or API account.

  • VS Code will ask to open an external website.
    • Click Open button.

Screenshot of a Visual Studio Code prompt asking whether Code should open an external website. The dialog displays a Claude authentication URL and includes buttons labeled Open, Copy, Configure Trusted Domains, and Cancel. The prompt is used to authorize opening a Claude sign-in page in a web browser.

  • A browser window will open asking to connect Claude Code to your Claude chat account.
    • Click Authorize.

Screenshot of the Claude authorization screen for Claude Code. The page states that Claude Code would like to connect to your Claude chat account and lists permissions including access to Anthropic profile information, contribution to Claude subscription usage, access to Claude Code sessions, use and management of connectors, and uploading files on the user’s behalf. Two buttons appear at the bottom: Authorize and Decline.

  • Once authorized, you can close the browser window and return to VS Code.
  • You will know you have successfully logged in when you see a screen like this:

Screenshot of the Claude Code extension interface in Visual Studio Code after setup is complete. The panel displays the Claude Code logo and a welcome message that reads, “What to do first? Ask about this codebase or we can start writing code.” A text input field labeled “Ask Claude to edit...” appears at the bottom, along with options to attach content and switch modes. The Claude Code icon is visible in the VS Code title bar, indicating the extension is active and ready for use.

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Related Services / Offerings (1)

Claude for Education
Claude for Education provides UT Dallas faculty and staff with institutionally managed access to Anthropic's Claude AI assistant. The offering includes Claude Chat for everyday AI assistance, Claude Cowork for more complex, multi-step work, and Claude Code for programming and development tasks.