Claude Code Anthropic's Terminal Coding Agent

Claude Code is Anthropic’s agentic coding tool. It runs in your terminal, reads your whole project, and edits files, runs commands, and works through multi-step tasks while you watch. It solves the problem of context-switching between a chat window and your editor: instead of copying snippets back and forth, you hand Claude Code a task in plain language and it works directly in your repository. It is the same agentic engine that powers Claude Cowork for knowledge work, pointed at code.

Where it lives

Claude Code is not a website. It is a program you run on your own machine, and it connects straight to the Claude model API with no backend server or remote code index in between.

Install it

Claude Code installs as a global command through npm, then runs inside any project directory.

# Install once, globally
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

# Start an interactive session in your project
cd my-project
claude

What it is for

Once a session is open, you describe work in plain language and Claude Code carries it out across your files.

> explain how authentication flows through this codebase
> fix the failing test in tests/login.spec.ts, then run the suite
> add a rate limiter to the /api/upload route and update the docs

For automation and scripting, the headless mode runs a one-shot task and prints the result, which is useful in CI and shell pipelines.

# Headless: run a single task and print the output
claude -p "summarize the changes in the last 5 commits"

A typical task moves through the same loop every time, which is what makes it an agentic loop rather than a single answer.

Which subscription you need

Claude Code is covered by a normal Claude subscription, so you do not pay separately for the chat apps and the coding agent.

• Pro (about 19 EUR per month, listed at 20 US dollars): includes Claude Code in the terminal and in supported IDEs, alongside the web, desktop, and mobile apps on one subscription.
• Max (about 92 or 185 EUR per month, listed at 100 or 200 US dollars): the same access with 5x or 20x the usage and priority on new models.
• Team Premium and Enterprise: Claude Code for organizations, with admin controls and billing.
• API: pay-per-token billing for automation. Since 15 June 2026, programmatic use (the Agent SDK, the claude -p headless command, the GitHub Actions integration, and third-party apps) draws from a separate monthly Agent SDK credit at standard API rates, rather than your interactive subscription pool.

The Claude product family

Claude Code is one of several products built on the same models. They differ mainly in where they run and what they produce.

When not to use it

• You do not write or run code. For document and file work without a terminal, Claude Cowork fits better.
• You want a chat answer, not file edits. The Claude apps are the lighter choice for questions and drafting.
• You need a visual prototype. Claude Design produces editable interface and document layouts; Claude Code produces working code.
• Your budget is strict and usage is heavy. Watch the plan limits, since large agent runs consume usage quickly and programmatic runs bill at API rates.

Further reading

• Claude Cowork : the same agent architecture for knowledge work instead of code
• Claude Design : turning conversation into editable HTML and document layouts
• Claude by Anthropic : the models and apps underneath all of these products
• Claude Code vs Cursor vs Codex : how the leading coding agents compare
• Agentic loops : the plan, act, and check cycle behind agent coding tools
• Claude Code by Anthropic (official product page) : features, supported IDEs, and setup
• Use Claude Code with your Pro or Max plan (Anthropic Help Center) : what each plan covers