Claude Code Integrations

Claude Code offers three primary integration methods, each designed to meet you where you work. In this module, we'll master the terminal integration, IDE enhancement, and GitHub collaboration features.

By the end of this module, you'll be able to:

• Set up and use Claude Code in any terminal environment
• Integrate Claude Code with your favorite IDE
• Connect Claude Code to GitHub repositories
• Choose the right integration method for different tasks

The terminal integration is Claude Code's most fundamental offering—it works anywhere you have a command line.

Installation and Setup

Universal Compatibility

Claude Code works in any terminal environment:

Core Terminal Commands

Advanced Terminal Features

When you run Claude Code inside an IDE's terminal, it detects the environment and provides enhanced features.

Supported IDEs

• VS Code: Full integration with diff view
• Cursor: Works in terminal with enhanced features
• IntelliJ IDEA: Terminal integration
• Sublime Text: Terminal integration
• Vim/Neovim: Terminal integration + plugins available

IDE-Specific Features

VS Code Deep Integration

IDE Workflows

The GitHub integration lets Claude work with any repository without cloning it locally.

Setting Up GitHub Integration

Using GitHub Integration

Once connected, you can reference repositories naturally:

GitHub Workflow Examples

Use Case	Best Integration	Why
Quick code questions	Terminal	Fast, no context switch
Active development	IDE Terminal	Enhanced diffs, diagnostics
Code review	GitHub	No local setup needed
Automation/Scripts	Terminal	Composable, scriptable
Learning new codebase	GitHub	Browse without cloning
Pair programming	IDE Terminal	Real-time, contextual

Integration Combinations

You can use multiple integrations together:

Let's build a complete workflow using all three integrations:

Scenario: New Feature Development

You're tasked with adding a caching layer to an existing API.

Exercise Tasks

1. Terminal Mastery: Create a bash alias that uses Claude Code to analyze code complexity:

2. IDE Enhancement: Configure your IDE to use Claude Code for specific tasks (linting, formatting, etc.)

3. GitHub Workflow: Use the GitHub integration to analyze a popular open-source project and create an architecture document

4. Integration Chain: Build a script that:

   • Uses GitHub integration to check for new issues
   • Uses terminal integration to create branch
   • Uses IDE integration to implement fixes

• Use -p flag for piping to maintain Unix philosophy
• Create aliases for common operations
• Combine with existing tools (grep, find, awk)
• Use in git hooks for automated checks

IDE Integration

• Keep Claude terminal open in a dedicated pane
• Use for real-time code review while typing
• Leverage diagnostics integration
• Create keyboard shortcuts for common Claude commands

GitHub Integration

• Perfect for unfamiliar codebases
• Use for architecture documentation
• Great for security audits
• Ideal for cross-team code reviews

1. Terminal is Universal - Works everywhere, scriptable, composable
2. IDE Enhances Experience - Better visualization, contextual awareness
3. GitHub Enables Scale - Analyze any repo without local setup
4. Combine for Power - Use all three based on the task at hand

You've mastered the three core integrations. In the next module, we'll explore advanced workflows that leverage these integrations to transform how you develop software.