Claude Code Layer

Table of ContentsClose

1. Description
- 1.1. Features:
2. Install
3. Configuration
4. Usage
5. Key bindings

1. Description

This layer adds support for Claude Code IDE, an Emacs package that provides seamless integration with Claude Code CLI for AI-assisted coding.

1.1. Features:

AI-powered code editing and generation using Claude
Terminal-based interaction with Claude Code CLI
Multi-project session management
Deep Emacs integration with transient menus
Resume and continue conversations
Send code regions and symbols for analysis
Project-aware context handling

2. Install

To use this configuration layer, add it to your ~/.spacemacs. You will need to add claude-code to the existing dotspacemacs-configuration-layers list in this file.

You will also need to install the Claude Code CLI tool:

# Install Claude Code CLI
npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code

# Or using other package managers
brew install anthropic/tap/claude-code

For more installation information, please check the Claude Code Documentation.

3. Configuration

Before using this layer, ensure the claude-code command works in your terminal. User settings are defined in ~/.claude/settings.json and apply to all projects. Project settings are saved in your project directory:

.claude/settings.json for settings that are checked into source control and shared with your team
.claude/settings.local.json for settings that are not checked in, useful for personal preferences and experimentation.

Please refer the Claude Code settings for detailed information.

The package supports various customization options. You can configure the options in your Spacemacs configuration:

(setq-default dotspacemacs-configuration-layers
              '((claude-code :variables
                             claude-code-ide-window-side 'right
                             claude-code-ide-window-width 100)))

For the full options, please refer the Claude Code IDE configuration section on its project page.

4. Usage

This layer provides comprehensive integration with Claude Code through Emacs. The main entry point is the transient menu accessible via SPC a c y.

Basic workflow:

Open your project in Spacemacs
Use SPC a c y to open the Claude Code transient menu
Start a Claude Code session with SPC a c s
Send prompts with SPC a c p or use helper functions
Continue conversations with SPC a c c or resume with SPC a c r

The layer includes helpful functions for common tasks:

Ask questions about symbols at point

5. Key bindings

Key binding	Description
`SPC $ d y`	Open Claude Code transient menu
`SPC $ d C`	Configuration transient menu

And in the claude code terminal buffer,

Key binding	Command	Description
`M-RET`	claude-code-ide-insert-newline	Insert a newline in the prompt
`C-<escape>`	claude-code-ide-send-escape	Send escape key to cancel operations

5.2. Session Management

Key binding	Description
`SPC $ d s`	Start Claude Code for current project
`SPC $ d c`	Continue Claude Code for current project
`SPC $ d r`	Resume a previous conversation
`SPC $ d l`	List and switch between sessions
`SPC $ d b`	Switch to Claude Code buffer
`SPC $ d t`	Toggle Claude Code window
`SPC $ d q`	Stop Claude Code for current project

Key binding	Description
`SPC $ d b`	Switch to Claude Code buffer
`SPC $ d t`	Toggle Claude Code window

5.4. Interaction

Key binding	Description
`SPC $ d i`	Insert selected text to Claude prompt
`SPC $ d p`	Send prompt to Claude from minibuffer
`SPC $ d e`	Send escape to Claude buffer
`SPC $ d n`	Insert newline in Claude buffer

5.5. Debug Commands

Key binding	Description
`SPC $ d s`	Check claude code status
`SPC $ d v`	Show version
`SPC $ d d`	Toggle the debug mode
`SPC $ d l`	Show debug info
`SPC $ d c`	Clear debug info
`SPC $ d v`	Show version
`SPC $ d m`	Show MCP sessions
`SPC $ d p`	Show active ports

5.6. Assistant Functions

Key binding	Description
`SPC $ d *`	Ask question about symbol at point

Table of Contents