tools-only Claude Code (Terminal / IDE)
Last verified: 2026-02-17
Overview
CLI tool for software engineering. Runs in the terminal with full local filesystem and bash access. Current version: ~v2.1.42 (Feb 13, 2026).
Plans
Available on all Claude plans (Pro, Max, Team, Enterprise). Some features require Max plan (see Agent Teams, Cowork below).
Skills
Directory-based, no packaging needed for local use:
- Global:
~/.claude/skills/<skill-name>/SKILL.md - Project:
.claude/skills/<skill-name>/SKILL.md - Install:
/plugin install <name>or/plugin marketplace add <repo>
Skills auto-create /skill-name slash commands.
MCP
Configure via claude mcp add <name> or edit settings.json directly. Supports stdio and SSE transports. Tools appear as mcp__<server>__<tool> format. MCP tools are inherited by subagents when the tools field is omitted from agent config.
Agent Teams (Experimental)
Launched Feb 5, 2026. Multi-instance orchestration where multiple Claude Code sessions coordinate as a team.
- Shared task lists: TaskCreate, TaskUpdate, TaskList, TaskGet tools
- Inter-agent messaging: Teammates communicate directly
- Display: In-process (Shift+Up/Down) or split panes (tmux/iTerm2)
- Enable:
CLAUDE_CODE_EXPERIMENTAL_AGENT_TEAMS=1 - Requires: Max plan
- Use cases: Research + review in parallel, cross-layer coordination, parallel debugging hypotheses
Each teammate gets its own context window. Token usage scales with teammate count.
Cowork
Launched Jan 2026. Claude Code for non-developers. Provides local folder access with file watching.
- macOS only
- Requires Max plan
- Designed for knowledge workers, not just software engineers
Subagents
Fork work to specialised agents via the Task tool:
| Built-in | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Explore | Read-only codebase exploration |
| Plan | Architecture planning without edits |
| general-purpose | Flexible multi-tool agent |
Custom agents defined in .claude/agents/ directory. Subagents inherit MCP tools when the tools field is omitted from the agent config.
Hooks
Event-driven automation configured in settings or .claude/ directory:
| Event | Fires when |
|---|---|
| PreToolUse | Before a tool is called |
| PostToolUse | After a tool completes |
| Notification | On notifications |
| TeammateIdle | Agent Teams: teammate finishes work |
| TaskCompleted | Agent Teams: task marked complete |
Memory System
Hierarchical CLAUDE.md files loaded from current directory + all parent directories:
~/CLAUDE.md— global context (always loaded)~/project/CLAUDE.md— project context~/project/src/CLAUDE.md— directory-specific context
Additional memory:
~/.claude/rules/— global rules (always loaded).claude/rules/— project rules- Memory frontmatter scopes:
user,project,local
Available Tools
| Tool | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Read, Write, Edit | File operations |
| Glob, Grep | Search files and content |
| Bash | Shell command execution |
| WebFetch, WebSearch | Web access |
| Task | Delegate to subagents |
| ToolSearch | Discover deferred/MCP tools |
| AskUserQuestion | Get user input |
Plus any MCP tools from connected servers.
What Claude Code Cannot Do
- Render artifacts (HTML, React) inline
- Access Claude AI conversation history (no API exists)
- Use Interactive Apps (Slack, Canva, etc.)
- Run without a terminal/IDE environment
- Create DOCX/PPTX/XLSX natively (needs libraries)
- Search past Claude AI conversations