Claude Code comes in three flavors: web, CLI, and VSCode extension. Here's what makes each one different and how to pick the right one for your workflow.
You've probably tried asking "explain this code," "add this feature," or "find this bug" on Claude.ai or ChatGPT before. But when it comes to actually modifying files, committing, and pushing? Copy-paste hell begins.
That's why Claude Code exists. But now there are 3 versions...
I was confused at first too. Aren't they all the same thing? But after using them, they turned out to be completely different tools.
Bottom line:
Here's what makes each one different, and how I actually combine them in my workflow.
This is the browser-based approach where you connect your GitHub repo.
When to use: Code review requests, understanding repo structure, "what does this code do?" questions
Run it from the terminal with the claude command.
-chrome flag)When to use: Server work, browser automation, when you're not using VSCode
Runs as a sidebar inside VSCode.
When to use: General development work (this is the one I use the most)
| Feature | Web | CLI | VSCode Extension |
|---|---|---|---|
| Read code | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Edit files | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| git push | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Run commands | ❌ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Chrome integration | ❌ | ✅ | ❌ |
| IDE integration | ❌ | ❌ | ✅ |
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-codePersonally, I'd recommend starting with the VSCode extension. The barrier to entry is the lowest, and you'll immediately get that vibe coding feeling.
I built tudy.club with the VSCode extension too. Back when I was using Sanity, it took weeks just to set up schemas, but with Claude Code, you can have a working blog in a single weekend day.
The tool itself is simple. What matters is the experience of coding without copy-paste. Once you try it, there's no going back.
Written by
PM & builder. Co-founder of Sapienta.