Claude Code: Now in Beta in Zed By Morgan Krey — September 3rd, 2025 --- Zed has launched a public beta integration for Claude Code, an AI coding assistant, running natively within the Zed editor via the new Agent Client Protocol (ACP). Why This Integration Matters Developers have long requested Claude Code integration. Unlike a simple bolt-on, Zed built an open standard (ACP) that enables any AI agent to connect seamlessly with editors. Claude Code integration is the pioneering example. Key Features of Claude Code in Zed Native Assistant Experience: Run Claude Code inside Zed’s fast, high-performance editor, beyond the limitations of a terminal interface. Real-Time Collaboration: Follow Claude Code’s multi-file edits live with full syntax highlighting and language server support. Granular Code Review: Accept or reject individual code changes within a multibuffer view, giving you precise control over merges. Persistent Task List: Keep track of Claude Code’s active to-dos anchored in the sidebar. Custom Workflow Support: Use Claude Code’s slash commands for repeated tasks integrated directly into your workflow. Escape the Terminal Claude Code is popular for code generation via CLI, but complex multi-file jobs benefit from a richer UI. Zed lets you run Claude Code side-by-side with its own Gemini CLI agent and other ACP-compatible agents. To start, update to the latest Zed version and access agents through the Plus menu in the Agent Panel. Built With ACP ACP is an open JSON RPC-based protocol designed by Zed Industries to connect AI agents with editors. A Claude Code adapter wraps the official SDK, translating its interactions into ACP messages. The adapter runs Claude Code as an independent process, with Zed managing the UI. The adapter is open source under the Apache license and usable in any ACP-adopted editor, including Neovim via the CodeCompanion plugin. Thanks to community member Xuanwo for leading ACP implementation efforts for Claude Code. Bring Any Agent to Zed ACP supports connection of any AI coding agent to Zed and similar editors—not just Claude Code or Gemini CLI. The beta delivers core functionality of Claude Code via the SDK; features like Plan mode and advanced slash commands are coming soon as SDK support expands. Community involvement is encouraged through: Building new agent integrations. Requesting full SDK parity with Claude Code. Adopting ACP directly in agents. Contributing to ACP and Claude Code adapter repositories. Community Voices Developers express excitement and eagerness for Claude Code integration, emphasizing the efficiency and innovation it brings to editing workflows. --- Get Started Try Zed today on macOS or Linux: Download now. Interested in joining the team? See open positions at zed.dev/jobs. --- This announcement highlights Zed’s commitment to advancing software development by enabling flexible AI-assisted workflows through open protocols and integrations.