After using Claude Code for the few days, I'm convinced this tool is one of the most impressive coding agents currently available in the market. For those familiar with AI-powered IDEs like Cursor or Windsurf, Claude Code presents a notably different approach that's worth exploring.
The Evolution of AI Coding Tools
Looking at Google Trends data reveals a fascinating progression in AI coding tools. While GitHub Copilot launched four years ago, it didn't really gain significant traction until after ChatGPT's release. The real breakthrough came with GPT-4, when these models finally reached a level where they could write genuinely useful code.
Cursor gained tremendous momentum after announcing their Series A funding last year. It became a social media sensation, with people sharing creative ways they were using the tool. This momentum continued when the Cursor team launched Composer (now known as cursor agent), and they've since grown into a multi-billion dollar company.
So what's driving the recent buzz around Claude Code?
Claude Code's Distinctive Features
Claude Code launched in February this year, but people really started recognizing its capabilities after Claude 4, particularly Claude 4 Opus, was released. This is when the importance of agent code benchmarks like SWE-bench and Terminal-bench became clear.
One particularly impressive case study involved a major corporation like Rakuten running Claude Code continuously for 7 hours. Initially, this seemed hard to believe, but after using it myself, it makes perfect sense. When you provide proper instructions and terminal execution permissions, it genuinely works like a smart developer, continuously progressing through tasks.
Sustained Work Capability
In my testing, I found it could easily work continuously for 15-25 minutes. Beyond just writing good code, the real strength of these models lies in knowing when to take action, when to stop, when to test, and which tools to use.
Reasonable Pricing Structure
Another major advantage of Claude Code is its pricing model. While it offers a max plan similar to ChatGPT's $200/month tier, it includes 5x to 20x more Claude Code usage. I'm using the $200/month max plan, and I believe this is the first tool that definitively performs a step above Cursor.
Real-World Experience and Core Features
Claude Code's biggest advantage is its form factor. You can use it in any terminal - whether it's a Linux instance, iTerm, or Mac's built-in terminal.
Basic Usage
After installation, you simply set up your API key or log in with your Claude account, and you're ready to go. While there are slash commands available, I don't use them much in practice. Instead, I focus on clearly defining what I want to accomplish and iteratively refining the approach.
Essential Shortcut: Shift-Tab
The most important feature is Shift-Tab, which cycles through three modes:
1. Manual mode: Requires approval for all actions (ideal for high-risk changes)
2. Auto mode: Runs automatically (perfect for tasks you're confident about)
3. Planning mode: Creates a plan (great for complex tasks or when you're uncertain)
Real-World Example
I created a Next.js application to test it out. Starting with a simple request: "Change the homepage to a beautiful hero that reads 'developers digest'."
Claude Code's strength lies in its ability to effectively navigate codebases and find relevant code. Unlike other editors that use semantic chunking methods, it employs grep and regex, with the LLM directly writing commands to explore the codebase.
I also tried more complex requests: "Create a header, footer, contact page, and blog page with a glassmorphism theme." When given such requests, Claude Code generates a to-do list and works through tasks step by step. This built-in task management feature is genuinely impressive.
The Future of Coding and Natural Language Programming
A chart presented by Claude Code's founder, Boris Cherny, shows the fascinating evolution of programming. Starting from 1950s punch cards, progressing through low-level languages like Fortran, COBOL, and Basic, then moving to C, C++, JavaScript, Python, Java, and finally reaching today's TypeScript, Rust, and Swift.
The Era of Natural Language Programming
The way we write code will increasingly rely on natural language - this is an undeniable trend. The tools we use for coding have also evolved from Ed, Vim, Emacs to Visual Basic, Eclipse, Sublime, Neovim, Copilot, and now to Cursor, Devon, and Claude Code.
Whether Claude Code will become the future coding tool, or if it'll be Cursor, Devon, or something else entirely, remains to be seen. What's certain is that these tools share a common thread of leveraging AI, and our approach to writing code is becoming increasingly natural language-centric.
Expert Perspective and Evaluation
As developer in Computer Science, what differentiates Claude Code from existing IDEs isn't just code autocompletion - it's the 'sustained work capability.' While traditional tools relied on immediate developer feedback, Claude Code can work more autonomously.
The terminal-based interface is particularly advantageous because it's familiar to developers while providing a consistent experience across any environment. This is especially valuable when working in cloud development environments or on remote servers.
However, there are still challenges to address: context management in complex projects, team collaboration features, and integration with existing development workflows.
Looking Forward
Claude Code is presenting a new paradigm for AI coding tools. It's showing the potential to be a true 'coding agent' beyond simple code autocompletion. While it's not perfect yet, it appears to be an important milestone toward a future of natural language programming.
Developers shouldn't view these tools merely as productivity enhancers, but should approach them from the perspective of preparing for a fundamental shift in programming paradigms. Within the next few years, the way we write code will be completely different from today.
The key is to embrace this transition while maintaining our core understanding of software engineering principles. Claude Code represents just the beginning of what's possible when we combine human creativity with AI capability in the coding process..