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JetBrains Setup

Module: IDE Integrations | Lesson: 3 of 4 | Time: ~10 minutes

What You Will Learn​

  • How to install the Claude Code plugin for JetBrains IDEs
  • How to configure the plugin
  • Basic usage within IntelliJ, PyCharm, WebStorm, etc.

Prerequisites​

JetBrains IDEs Overview​

JetBrains makes a family of powerful code editors, each tailored to a specific language or platform:

IDEPrimary Language
IntelliJ IDEAJava, Kotlin
PyCharmPython
WebStormJavaScript, TypeScript
PhpStormPHP
RiderC#, .NET
GoLandGo
CLionC, C++
RubyMineRuby

The Claude Code plugin works across all of these IDEs. If you use any JetBrains product, you can get Claude Code integrated directly into your editor -- just like the VS Code extension covered in the previous lessons.

info

If you do not use a JetBrains IDE, you can skim this lesson for awareness and move on. The VS Code extension (covered in Lessons 1 and 2) and the terminal version of Claude Code are sufficient for most workflows.

Installing the Plugin​

  1. Open your JetBrains IDE (IntelliJ, PyCharm, WebStorm, or whichever you use).

  2. Open the Plugins panel:

    • Go to File > Settings (or press Ctrl+Alt+S)
    • In the left sidebar, click Plugins

  3. Search for Claude Code:

    • Click the Marketplace tab at the top
    • In the search box, type Claude Code

  4. Install the plugin:

    • Find the official Claude Code plugin by Anthropic
    • Click the Install button
    • Wait for the download and installation to complete

  5. Restart the IDE:

    • JetBrains IDEs typically require a restart after installing plugins
    • Click Restart IDE when prompted
warning

Just like with VS Code, verify that the plugin publisher is Anthropic before installing. Third-party plugins with similar names may not be official or secure.

Configuration​

After restarting, configure the plugin:

  1. Open Settings again (Ctrl+Alt+S).
  2. Navigate to Tools > Claude Code (the exact path may vary slightly by IDE version).
  3. Configure the following:
SettingRecommendation
AuthenticationThe plugin shares credentials with your terminal Claude Code installation. If you have already authenticated in the terminal, it should work automatically.
ThemeChoose a theme that matches your IDE's color scheme
Tool PermissionsStart with defaults; adjust as you get comfortable
  1. Click Apply, then OK.

Verifying the Connection​

After configuration, look for the Claude Code panel. It is usually accessible via:

  • A tool window button on the right or bottom sidebar
  • The View > Tool Windows > Claude Code menu

Open the panel and type a test message:

Hello, are you working?

If Claude responds, you are connected and ready to go.

tip

If the plugin cannot find your credentials, open the Terminal panel inside your JetBrains IDE (usually at the bottom, or via View > Tool Windows > Terminal) and run claude to authenticate. The plugin will pick up the credentials afterward.

WSL Considerations on Windows​

If you are running Claude Code through WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux), there are a few extra things to know when using JetBrains IDEs:

  1. JetBrains IDEs run on Windows, not inside WSL. The plugin communicates with Claude Code through your Windows environment.

  2. If your project is inside WSL (for example, at \\wsl$\Ubuntu\home\yourname\project), the JetBrains IDE can still open it, but file paths may look different to the plugin versus the terminal.

  3. Recommended approach: If you primarily work in WSL, consider using the terminal version of Claude Code inside WSL and the JetBrains IDE for editing. They complement each other well.

  4. Alternative: JetBrains offers Remote Development features that can connect directly to WSL. If you use this, the plugin should work seamlessly with WSL paths.

info

WSL path issues are the most common source of confusion on Windows. If the plugin cannot find a file, check whether the file path uses Windows format (C:\Users\...) or WSL format (/home/...). The terminal and IDE may see different paths for the same file.

Basic Usage​

The JetBrains plugin works similarly to the VS Code extension:

  • Chat panel -- ask questions, request edits, get explanations
  • File context -- the plugin can see which file you have open
  • Diff view -- proposed changes appear as diffs you can accept or reject
  • Terminal integration -- the built-in terminal can run claude interactively

The main workflow is the same across all JetBrains IDEs:

  1. Open a file
  2. Open the Claude Code panel
  3. Ask Claude to explain, edit, or generate code
  4. Review the diff and accept or reject

Try It Yourself​

  1. Install the plugin in your JetBrains IDE following the steps above.

  2. Verify the connection by sending a test message.

  3. Open a project file and ask Claude to explain it.

  4. Request an edit and practice reviewing the diff in JetBrains' diff viewer.

  5. If you also use VS Code, notice the similarities and differences between the two integrations. Both provide the same core features, but the interface layout differs.

What You Learned​

  • The Claude Code plugin works across all JetBrains IDEs (IntelliJ, PyCharm, WebStorm, and more)
  • Install it from the JetBrains Marketplace via File > Settings > Plugins
  • The plugin shares authentication with your terminal Claude Code installation
  • On Windows with WSL, be aware that file paths may differ between the IDE and the terminal
  • Core features (chat, diffs, file context) work the same as the VS Code extension
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Next Up​

Next: IDE vs Terminal Workflows