Development Environments
Run Claude Code in your terminal, over SSH, in Docker, cloud environments, or your IDE.
Environment Comparison
Choose the setup that fits your workflow.
| Environment | Pros | Cons | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Local Terminal | Full control, fastest, offline-capable | Machine-dependent setup | Daily development |
| SSH Remote | Access remote resources, server debugging | Latency, no IDE features | Server work, remote codebases |
| Docker | Isolated, reproducible, disposable | Container overhead, volume mounts | CI/CD, team consistency |
| GitHub Codespaces | Zero setup, cloud compute, shareable | Cost, internet required | Onboarding, collaboration |
| VS Code Extension | IDE integration, visual diffs | Fewer features than CLI | Visual developers |
| JetBrains Plugin | IDE integration for JB users | Newer, fewer features | JetBrains ecosystem |
Getting Started
Quick setup instructions for each environment.
Local Terminal
Install via npm: npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code. Requires Node.js 18+. Set ANTHROPIC_API_KEY.
SSH Remote
SSH into your server, install the CLI, and run directly. Works with any remote Linux/macOS machine.
Docker
Mount your project volume and pass the API key via environment variable. Isolated and reproducible.
GitHub Codespaces
Pre-configured cloud environment. Install Claude Code in the terminal and start coding immediately.
VS Code
Install the extension from the marketplace. Get inline suggestions and a dedicated chat panel.
JetBrains
Install the plugin for WebStorm, PyCharm, or IntelliJ. Available through the JetBrains Marketplace.
Automatic Environment Detection
Claude Code adapts to your platform, shell, and working directory automatically.
What Gets Detected
- Platform — win32, darwin, linux
- Shell — bash, zsh, PowerShell, fish
- Working directory — git root, project structure
- Git status — branch, uncommitted changes, recent commits
Claude Code uses Unix shell syntax on macOS/Linux and adapts path handling for Windows. It reads your shell profile and adjusts commands to match your environment.
CLI = Most Features
The terminal CLI is the most feature-complete interface for Claude Code.
IDE for Visual Work
VS Code and JetBrains integrations offer convenience for visual workflows.
Cloud for Teams
Codespaces and Gitpod provide consistent environments for team collaboration.