Claude Code
Claude Code is Anthropic's agentic coding tool that works from the terminal, reading and editing files, running commands and carrying out multi-step coding tasks. It's included with Claude Pro ($20 a month) and Max ($100 or $200 a month) subscriptions, or billed at standard API token rates when used with a Claude Console (API) account.
Facts checked on against the sources listed at the end of this page.
- Pricing
- FreemiumPaid from $20 a month (Claude Pro, monthly) or $17 a month billed annually
- Open source
- NoProprietary
- GitHub stars
- 149,645
- npm downloads a week
- 15Mup 12% on the week before
- Latest release
- v2.1.2921 day ago
- Releases in 90 days
- 10about 3 a month
A good fit for
- Developers who want an agentic coding tool that works directly in the terminal
- Existing Claude Pro or Max subscribers who want coding assistance included with their subscription
- Teams that prefer metered, pay-as-you-go API billing over a flat subscription
- Multi-step coding tasks like refactors, debugging and running project commands, not just code completion
Not a good fit for
- Developers wanting a standalone Claude Code subscription with no ties to a broader Claude plan
- Very lightweight, single-line code completion, where a simpler inline autocomplete tool may be enough
- Teams wanting a graphical, non-terminal-first interface as the primary experience
Claude Code pricing
Claude Code is included with Claude Pro ($20 a month, or $17 a month billed annually) and Max plans (Max 5x at $100 a month, Max 20x at $200 a month), each with usage limits. For Claude Console (API) accounts, it instead consumes API tokens at standard API pricing rather than a subscription fee.
| Plan | Price | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Pro | $20/month ($17/month billed annually) | Claude Code access with Pro-tier usage limits, plus the standard Claude app. |
| Max 5x | $100/month | Higher Claude Code usage limits than Pro. |
| Max 20x | $200/month | The highest consumer-tier Claude Code usage limits. |
| API / Console | Standard API token rates | Pay-as-you-go Claude Code usage billed by token consumption. |
Prices in USD, checked on 27 September 2026. Current prices on claude.com.
Main features
- Agentic terminal workflow
- Reads, edits and searches files and runs commands to complete multi-step coding tasks.
- Included with Claude subscriptions
- Available as part of Claude Pro and Max plans, not sold as a separate subscription.
- API/Console billing option
- Usable with a Claude Console account on a pay-as-you-go token basis instead of a subscription.
- IDE integrations
- Works alongside common development environments in addition to the terminal.
About Claude Code
Claude Code runs in the terminal and can read and edit files, run shell commands, search a codebase and carry out multi-step coding tasks autonomously, rather than acting only as an inline code-completion tool.
It's included as part of Claude Pro and Max consumer subscriptions, so subscribers get access to Claude Code alongside the standard Claude chat app, subject to usage limits that vary by plan.
For Claude Console (API) accounts, Claude Code instead consumes API tokens at standard API pricing rather than a flat subscription fee, making it usable in a pay-as-you-go model for teams that prefer metered billing.
- Made by
- Anthropic
- Free plan
- No standalone free tier; included with paid Claude Pro and Max subscriptions
- Available on
- Terminal (CLI), macOS, Linux, Windows, IDE integrations
Usage and activity
Weekly npm downloads of @anthropic-ai/claude-code, last 12 months.
Recent releases
Claude Code alternatives
Agent skills for Claude Code
| Skill pack | Made by | GitHub stars |
|---|---|---|
| gstackA set of 55 slash-command skills that gives Claude Code a sprint process from planning to review, QA and shipping. | Garry Tan | 136k |
A skill is a set of instructions that teaches a coding agent how to do one job. All agent skills.
Questions about Claude Code
How much does Claude Code cost?
It's included with Claude Pro ($20/month) and Max ($100 or $200/month) subscriptions, or billed at standard API rates with a Claude Console account.
Is there a separate Claude Code subscription?
No, it's bundled into Claude Pro and Max consumer plans rather than sold as its own subscription tier.
Does Claude Code run in an IDE or only the terminal?
It's primarily a terminal-based tool, with integrations available for common development environments.
Can I use Claude Code with pay-as-you-go billing?
Yes, using a Claude Console (API) account, Claude Code consumes API tokens at standard API pricing instead of a flat subscription fee.
Sources and links
Work on Claude Code? Claim this listing. Something wrong or out of date? Suggest a correction. Stats come from the public GitHub and npm APIs and update every day.