| VS Code | Warp | Any Terminal | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full Claude Code features | |||
| Visual diff previews | No (text diffs) | ||
| Rich output rendering | Basic | ||
| File click navigation | file:line format | ||
| MCP servers | |||
| Hooks | |||
| Subagents | |||
| CLAUDE.md | |||
| Setup required | Extension install | Built in | npm install only |
| Works offline (with API key) |
Same engine, different interface
All integrations run the same Claude Code CLI engine. The VS Code extension and Warp's built in integration are visual wrappers that add convenience features like diff previews and clickable file links. Every feature (MCP servers, hooks, subagents, CLAUDE.md, checkpoints) works identically regardless of which interface you use. You can also use any standard terminal emulator for the full experience.
Step 1: Choose your interface
Pick the environment that fits your workflow: VS Code for editor integration, Warp for a polished terminal, or any terminal for maximum flexibility
Step 2: Install Claude Code
Run npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code in your terminal. For VS Code, also install the extension from the marketplace
Step 3: Same config everywhere
Your CLAUDE.md, hooks, MCP servers, and settings work identically across all interfaces. Switch freely without reconfiguring
Choosing between VS Code and terminal
If you already live in VS Code, the extension gives you diff previews and click to navigate without leaving your editor. If you prefer a dedicated coding agent that can work while you do other things, the standalone terminal experience is more powerful: you can run Claude Code in one terminal tab while working in another, or run multiple Claude Code instances on different parts of your project simultaneously.