How to Use Claude Code in VS Code: A Step-by-Step Guide with Ace Data Cloud Proxy

Claude Code, an AI-powered programming tool from Anthropic, is widely recognized as one of the leading coding agents. Its VS Code extension offers a native graphical interface, making it the preferred way to integrate Claude Code into your development workflow. This guide focuses on configuring the extension via Ace Data Cloud's proxy service, which allows access without an official Anthropic subscription.

First, obtain your API token from the Ace Data Cloud Console. If you haven’t registered or logged in, you’ll be redirected to the login page; after completing this step, you’ll return to the console to copy your token. New users receive a free initial quota to test the service.

Next, install the Claude Code extension in VS Code: search for "Claude Code" in the Extensions Marketplace (the top result is the official one). After installation, trust the extension when prompted—you’ll then see the Claude Code icon in the VS Code sidebar.

To configure the proxy, create a .claude/settings.local.json file in your project root. Insert the following, replacing {token} with your Ace Data Cloud token:
{ "env": { "ANTHROPIC_AUTH_TOKEN": "{token}", "ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL": "https://api.acedata.cloud" } }
Note: This setup applies only to the current project. Add the file to your .gitignore to avoid sharing sensitive data. For global use across all projects, place the settings in ~/.claude/settings.json. Restart VS Code to activate the configuration.

Once set up, you can use Claude Code directly from the sidebar panel—type coding questions or requests to get AI assistance.

To check your remaining quota or usage history, visit the Ace Data Cloud Console: the "App List" shows your current quota, while "Usage History" details all interactions and costs.

For more details, refer to the original guide from Ace Data Cloud.