What is Claude Code?
Claude Code is Anthropic's command-line coding agent, letting Claude read a codebase, make edits across multiple files, run tests, and commit changes directly from the terminal instead of an IDE. It's built for developers comfortable working from the command line.
Key features
- Runs directly in the terminal, no IDE required
- Reads and edits across an entire codebase in one session
- Can run tests, linters, and git commands as part of a task
- Extended thinking mode for planning complex multi-step changes
- Works with Anthropic's largest context-window models
How to get started
- Install the Claude Code CLI and authenticate with your Anthropic account
- Run it inside a project directory
- Describe the task or bug you want fixed in plain language
- Review proposed changes and let it run tests before committing
Claude Code pricing
Claude Code has no price of its own. You pay one of two ways: a Claude subscription, or per token on the Anthropic API.
| Plan | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Claude Pro | ~$20/mo | Light, daily coding help |
| Claude Max | ~$100-200/mo | All-day agentic work, higher usage caps |
| Anthropic API (pay-as-you-go) | Per token, by model | Usage-based billing, CI, and scripts |
The subscription route gives you a flat monthly cap. The API route has no cap and no floor, you pay for exactly what you run. Heavy users settle on Max; occasional users do fine on Pro.
Our take: Install it free, run it on Pro for a week, and only move to Max once you actually hit the limit. Don't pre-pay for capacity you can't measure yet.
Prices change often. Check the official site above for current rates before you commit.
Use cases
- Terminal-first developers who prefer not to switch to a GUI
- Large refactors that touch many files across a codebase
- Automated test running and fixing as part of a task
- Scripting repeatable coding workflows from the command line
Claude Code vs. alternatives
| Tool | How it compares |
|---|---|
| Claude Code | Terminal-based agentic coding from Anthropic. |
| Codex | similar agentic model from OpenAI |
| Cursor | full IDE instead of terminal-only |
FAQ
Is Claude Code free to use?
Claude Code's plans: Included with Claude Pro/Max, usage-based via API. Pricing and free-tier limits change over time, so check the official site above for the latest details.
What is Claude Code used for?
Terminal-based agentic coding from Anthropic.
Who is Claude Code best for?
Claude Code is a good fit for terminal-first developers who prefer not to switch to a GUI, or large refactors that touch many files across a codebase.
What are the alternatives to Claude Code?
Commonly compared alternatives include Codex and Cursor, see the comparison above for how they differ.
How much does Claude Code cost?
Claude Code is free to install. What you pay for is the model behind it: either a Claude Pro or Max subscription (about $20 to $200 a month) or per-token API usage. There's no separate Claude Code license.
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CLast reviewed: 2026-08 · Reviewed by AIKetra editors · How we evaluate tools