The “Code” tab: no terminal
In the Claude app, you choose a folder, write your request, and follow the work in a regular window.
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Claude Code pricing, use cases, and first steps
Claude Code builds code from a request written in plain English. It reads a folder, writes or fixes the files, runs the commands, and checks the result. It lives in a terminal, but also in the Claude app, under the “Code” tab, where everything is done with the mouse.
Claude Code has no free plan. The recommended plan to start with: Pro, $20 per month ($17 per month if billed yearly). Prices checked on October 5, 2026 on the vendor’s official page.
Claude CodeAnthropic’s agent that reads your files, writes the code, and runs it- Vendor
- Anthropic (United States)
- Free plan
- No
- Recommended plan
- Pro, $20 per month ($17 per month if billed yearly)
- Page checked on
- October 5, 2026
What Claude Code does
Who it’s for: developers first. Also people in operations or finance who want to automate a repetitive task on files.
Choose what Claude is allowed to do
Four modes. “Manual”: it asks before every edit or command. “Accept edits”: it edits files without asking. “Plan”: it proposes a course of action without touching anything. “Auto”: an automatic check blocks risky actions.
Review changes line by line
After an edit, a marker like “+12 -1” appears. One click opens the diff view, file by file. You can comment on a line, and Claude fixes it.
Also
- Rewind
- Cloud sessions
- Tasks that repeat on their own
- In the terminal and the code editor
- Follow and steer from your phone
Claude Code pricing
Prices published in dollars, excl. tax. Cloud sessions count toward the same usage limits as the rest of Claude, with no extra compute charges.
| Plan | Price | Who it’s for |
|---|---|---|
| Pro Recommended to start | $20 per month ($17 per month if billed yearly) | Trying it out, a few sessions a week |
| Max | from $100 per month | Developers who use it all day |
| Team | $25 per user per month ($20 if billed yearly) | Teams working on company code |
| Enterprise | $20 per user per month, plus usage, billed yearly | Large organizations |
| Console account (API) | Usage-based | Technical teams that pay for what they use |
Nova’s advice
There is no free plan. If you already have Claude Pro, Claude Code is included: try it in the “Code” tab. Only choose Max if you hit the limits. For your company’s code, go through a Team or Enterprise workspace.
Free or paid: how usage is counted
No free plan. Claude Code is included in Claude Pro and shares its limit, which refills every 5 hours.
A first try, in 10 minutes
Your data. Your requests and your code are sent to Anthropic for processing. On a personal plan, they are used for training only if you agree.
What it does less well
- No free plan: you need at least Claude Pro.
- Rewind does not cover everything. A file deleted or moved by a command cannot be recovered this way: work on copies.
Merge CSV exports without breaking anythingClaude Code- Create a test folder and copy three or four CSV exports into it. Copies, never the originals.
- In the Claude app, under the “Code” tab, choose “Local,” then “Select folder” and that folder.
- Check that the mode shown next to the send button is “Manual.”
- Paste the prompt below and send it.
- Read each proposed change, then accept or reject it with the buttons shown.
- Open the resulting file in Excel and check the number of rows.
The prompt to copy
This folder contains several CSV exports that have the same columns. Merge them into a single file named merged.csv, with no duplicates and without changing the original files. Tell me how many rows you read and how many you kept.
Jobs that use Claude Code
In the starter kit for 3 jobs.
Alternatives to Claude Code
Codex
The OpenAI equivalent, included in ChatGPT, with limited use on the free plan.
Cursor
A full code editor with the assistant built in, for developers.
Lovable
For getting an app by describing it, without ever seeing code.
Replit
Builds the app and puts it online in the same place.
Claude
For a finished file without seeing code, Cowork in Claude is often enough.
In the same family: build a tool
Read next
Frequently asked questions about Claude Code
How much does Claude Code cost?
Pro: $20 per month ($17 per month if billed yearly); Max: from $100 per month; Team: $25 per user per month ($20 if billed yearly); Enterprise: $20 per user per month, plus usage, billed yearly; Console account (API): usage-based. Prices checked on October 5, 2026 on the vendor’s official page.
Can you use Claude Code for free?
No: Claude Code has no free plan. There is no free plan.
What happens to my data with Claude Code?
Your requests and your code are sent to Anthropic for processing. On a personal plan, they are used for training only if you agree.
What are the alternatives to Claude Code?
Codex: The OpenAI equivalent, included in ChatGPT, with limited use on the free plan. Cursor: A full code editor with the assistant built in, for developers. Lovable: For getting an app by describing it, without ever seeing code. Replit: Builds the app and puts it online in the same place. Claude: For a finished file without seeing code, Cowork in Claude is often enough.
Official pages consulted
Page checked on October 5, 2026. Brands are named to identify the tools. No affiliation.