Optional
IDE Bridge
Real-time bidirectional communication between Claude Code and VS Code
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Bridge files
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Bridge LOC
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Transport types
When you use Claude Code inside VS Code (not just the terminal), there's an invisible bridge connecting the two. It's like a walkie-talkie system — VS Code and Claude Code talk to each other in real-time, sharing what you're looking at, what permissions are needed, and what changes are being made.
This bridge is why Claude Code can show its responses in VS Code's sidebar, request permissions through VS Code's UI, and sync file changes instantly — rather than being a completely separate terminal tool.
Bridge Architecture #
How VS Code and Claude Code stay in sync
VS Code Extension
WebSocket Transport
Bridge Server
REPL / Query Engine
Key Features #
What the bridge enables
Session Multiplexing
Multiple VS Code windows can share a single Claude Code process. The bridge tracks session lifecycle, routing messages to the correct conversation.
Permission Delegation
When Claude needs permission to run a command, the bridge forwards the request to VS Code's native dialog — no terminal popup needed.
Trusted Device Tokens
Secure authentication between the CLI and VS Code extension using device tokens, preventing unauthorized processes from connecting.
Failure Recovery
Exponential backoff reconnection, message queuing during disconnection, and graceful session resumption after network interruptions.
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