Coding in 2025 has evolved significantly, and tools like Claude Code are leading the charge in transforming how developers work. Developed by Anthropic, Claude Code has become a game-changer for software engineers by offering seamless integration into terminal-based workflows, intelligent automation, and robust support for coding tasks. However, its recent surge in popularity—especially after Anthropic's decision to limit Windsurf's access to Claude models—has sparked widespread interest in the AI-assisted coding community. This article explores Claude Code’s features, its impact on development workflows, and why it’s gaining traction in the tech world.
What Is Claude Code? An Overview for Developers
Claude Code, launched by Anthropic in early 2025, stands out as an agentic coding tool designed to assist developers directly in their terminal. Unlike traditional AI coding assistants that require web-based interfaces, Claude Code integrates seamlessly into your local development environment. It understands your codebase, automates routine tasks, and provides intelligent suggestions through natural language commands.
Anthropic built Claude Code to address the needs of modern developers who juggle complex projects. For instance, it can refactor code, debug errors, explain intricate logic, and even manage Git workflows—all without leaving your terminal. This focus on terminal-based interaction sets Claude Code apart from competitors like GitHub Copilot or Cursor, which often rely on IDE plugins or web apps.
Moreover, Claude Code leverages Anthropic’s powerful Claude models, such as Sonnet 4, to deliver high-quality suggestions. However, as we’ll see later, access to these models depends on your subscription plan. For now, let’s examine how Claude Code works and why developers are turning to it.
Why Claude Code Is Gaining Traction in 2025
Claude Code’s rise in popularity didn’t happen overnight. Several factors have contributed to its growing adoption, especially after Anthropic’s controversial decision to limit Windsurf’s access to Claude models. Let’s break this down.
The Windsurf Fallout: A Catalyst for Claude Code
On June 3, 2025, Anthropic announced it would cut off Windsurf’s direct API access to Claude 3.x models, including Claude 3.5 Sonnet and Claude 3.7 Sonnet, with less than five days’ notice. Windsurf, a popular AI-assisted coding startup reportedly acquired by OpenAI, relied heavily on Claude models to power its platform. Anthropic’s decision, as highlighted in a post by Windsurf CEO Varun Mohan, left the company scrambling to secure third-party inference providers to maintain service for its users.
The move sparked heated discussions, with users declaring, “It’s so over” for Windsurf. Many speculated that Anthropic’s decision stemmed from competitive concerns, especially given rumors of Windsurf’s acquisition by OpenAI. Anthropic, likely wary of its models being used to train OpenAI’s systems, prioritized its own tools—like Claude Code—over supporting third-party platforms.
As a result, developers who previously relied on Windsurf began exploring alternatives. Claude Code, with its direct integration of Anthropic’s models and terminal-based workflow, emerged as a natural choice. This shift highlights how small decisions, like Anthropic’s access restrictions, can create significant opportunities for tools like Claude Code to shine.
Features That Appeal to Developers
Beyond the Windsurf controversy, Claude Code offers practical features that resonate with developers. First, it supports a wide range of tasks, from refactoring and debugging to automated testing and Git management. For example, you can ask Claude Code to resolve a merge conflict or explain a complex function, and it responds with actionable insights.
Second, Claude Code operates entirely in the terminal, eliminating the need for additional servers or browser-based interfaces. This streamlined approach saves time and reduces setup complexity. Finally, Anthropic’s commitment to user privacy—ensuring that feedback data isn’t used for model training—builds trust among developers who value data security.
How Claude Code Works: A Technical Breakdown
To understand why Claude Code is so effective, let’s explore its technical underpinnings and workflow. This section provides a step-by-step look at how Claude Code integrates into your development process.
Installation and Setup
Getting started with Claude Code is straightforward. First, ensure you have an active Anthropic account with a Pro or Max plan subscription. The Pro plan, priced at $17/month, suits light coding tasks, while the Max plan ($100/month) supports larger codebases and power users.
Next, install Claude Code on your machine by running the following command in your terminal:
npm install -g claude-code
Once installed, navigate to your project directory and start Claude Code with:
claude
This command initializes Claude Code, allowing it to analyze your codebase and respond to natural language prompts.
Core Features and Capabilities
Claude Code offers a suite of features designed to streamline coding workflows. Here’s a closer look at its capabilities:
Code Refactoring: Claude Code can optimize your code for readability and performance. For example, it can refactor a messy Python script by breaking it into modular functions with proper documentation.
Debugging and Bug Fixing: If your code throws an error, Claude Code identifies the issue and suggests fixes. It can even resolve missing dependencies or performance bottlenecks.
Code Understanding: Developers can ask Claude Code to explain specific functions or architecture. For instance, querying “What does this API endpoint do?” prompts Claude Code to analyze the code and provide a detailed explanation.
Git Integration: Claude Code handles Git tasks like creating commits, resolving merge conflicts, and searching through commit history—all via natural language commands.
Automated Testing and Linting: It can run tests, fix failing cases, and apply linting rules to ensure code quality.
These features make Claude Code a versatile tool for both solo developers and teams working on enterprise-level projects.
Usage Limits and Model Access
Claude Code’s performance depends on your subscription plan. The Pro plan allows approximately 10-40 prompts every 5 hours, depending on project complexity. It grants access to Sonnet 4 but not Opus 4. The Max plan, with 5x the usage capacity, supports larger repositories and more intensive workflows.
Additionally, Claude Code shares rate limits with Anthropic’s Claude conversational AI. If you hit your usage limit, you can upgrade your plan or switch to pay-as-you-go API credits. This flexibility ensures that Claude Code scales with your needs.
Claude Code in Action: A Practical Example
To illustrate Claude Code’s capabilities, let’s walk through a practical example using the Supabase Python library (supabase-py). Suppose you’re working on a file that interacts with a Supabase database, but the code is poorly structured and lacks documentation.
Step 1: Refactoring the Code
Start by navigating to your project directory and running Claude Code. Then, issue the following command:
claude refactor client.py --improve-readability
Claude Code analyzes client.py, identifies redundant code, and restructures it into modular functions. For example, it might split a 200-line function into smaller, reusable components with descriptive names like fetch_user_data and update_user_record.
Step 2: Adding Documentation
Next, ask Claude Code to document the refactored code:
claude document client.py --add-comments
Claude Code inserts inline comments and docstrings, making the code easier to understand. A function like fetch_user_data might now include a docstring explaining its parameters, return value, and purpose.
Step 3: Debugging an Issue
Suppose the refactored code throws an error due to a missing import. Run:
claude debug client.py --fix-imports
Claude Code identifies the missing supabase import, adds it to the file, and verifies that the error is resolved.
This example demonstrates how Claude Code simplifies complex workflows, saving developers time and effort.
The Competitive Landscape: Claude Code vs. Alternatives
Claude Code doesn’t exist in a vacuum—it competes with tools like GitHub Copilot, Cursor, and Windsurf. Let’s compare Claude Code to its rivals and see how it stacks up.
Claude Code vs. GitHub Copilot
GitHub Copilot, powered by OpenAI’s models, excels at inline code suggestions within IDEs like VS Code. However, it lacks Claude Code’s terminal-based workflow and Git integration. Additionally, Copilot’s suggestions can sometimes be less context-aware, especially for large codebases.
Claude Code vs. Cursor
Cursor, another AI coding tool, offers a web-based interface and direct access to Claude 4 models—something Windsurf struggled with after Anthropic’s restrictions. However, Cursor’s reliance on a browser makes it less seamless than Claude Code’s terminal integration.
Claude Code vs. Windsurf
Before Anthropic limited Windsurf’s access, it was a strong competitor, offering support for multiple AI models, including Claude, Gemini, and GPT. However, Windsurf’s recent challenges have pushed developers toward Claude Code, which provides direct access to Anthropic’s models without the need for third-party providers.
The Future of Claude Code: What’s Next?
Claude Code’s trajectory looks promising, especially as Anthropic continues to invest in AI-assisted coding. In May 2025, Anthropic hosted its first “Code with Claude” developer conference, signaling its commitment to the coding community. Additionally, Anthropic’s open-sourcing of circuit-tracing tools shows its dedication to transparency and collaboration.
Looking ahead, Claude Code could expand its capabilities by supporting more models, such as Opus 4, or integrating with additional development tools. As the AI coding sector heats up, Claude Code’s focus on terminal-based workflows and user privacy will likely keep it competitive.
Conclusion: Why Developers Should Try Claude Code
Claude Code has quickly become a go-to tool for developers in 2025, thanks to its powerful features, terminal integration, and Anthropic’s strategic moves—like limiting Windsurf’s access to Claude models. Whether you’re refactoring code, debugging errors, or managing Git workflows, Claude Code delivers a seamless experience that saves time and boosts productivity.
If you’re a developer looking to enhance your workflow, give Claude Code a try. Its combination of intelligent automation and privacy-focused design makes it a standout in the AI-assisted coding space. And don’t forget to download Apidog for free to complement your development stack with robust API management tools.
