Cai's AI Startup Diary - Day 2
2025-06-23
20250623 - Cai’s Startup Diary – Day 2: Exploring Claude Code with JetBrains Integration
Today I designed the basic functions of my browser plugin Seamless Publish. Its main purpose is to help me publish content across different social media platforms. But sometimes I need to publish the same content many times, so I want a "preview and publish" kind of ability to help me save time. I will integrate it into an n8n workflow in the future, or maybe into a Coze workflow. But for now, I need to write code. Then I tried this coding tool: Claude Code.
First try of Claude Code
Cursor, the code editor, is powered by Anthropic Claude 3.5 code model. Now Anthropic released tis own coding tool Claude Code And I think it's stronger than Cursor - we dont need a middleman. Cursor tries to save cost during usage, so it automatically switches to weaker models. Claude Code is built directly by Anthropic, so the model it uses is always the most powerful one. So the coding experience is better. Claude Code offers a $20/month subscription. Today I tried its pay-per-use API mode. But after asking just a few questions, it already cost me over $2. So I decided to subscribe instead. It’s more reasonable.
Claude Code + JetBrains = Strong Combo
Claude Code is designed as a CLI tool. One of its biggest advantages is that it can be directly integrated with JetBrains IDE family, instead of VS Code. VS Code is open source, but many features are not that powerful. JetBrains is a professional company making paid IDEs. Their understanding of programming and feature design really fits my personal experience, and fits what many experienced developers want.
For example: WebStorm, PyCharm, IntelliJ IDEA Their shortcut keys and UI design are very consistent. No matter what language I use, JetBrains tools feel smooth and natural to me. Also, JetBrains integrates really well with advanced tools like databases, Git commit, formatting shortcuts, terminal design, code tracking, debugging… All these are far better than VS Code in my experience.
Claude Code can work inside JetBrains tools. That’s very important for me, because I’m a backend developer. I’m used to working with the command line and deep configuration.
Why I prefer Claude Code over Cursor, V0, Windsurf?
Anthropic clearly focuses its models toward coding tasks. They have built up many users in the professional field, and user experience has become their strength. MCP was also first introduced by them. Their integration services are ahead of most others this is a strong point of their company. Claude Code being a CLI tool is more direct and controllable for professional developers. It supports memory settings, config files, MCP, and many customization options. All of these match the habits of real programmers. Because we understand the system deeper and want more control. In comparison, tools like Cursor, V0, Lovable or those UI-based visual code tools they don’t match backend developers' thinking model that well. Cursor and Windsurf look more like wrapping open-source VS Code with some AI plugins. But they don't really have years of experience making real IDEs. JetBrains, on the other hand, has over 10 years of IDE experience. Their foundation is solid. So for someone like me, who is a backend developer going back to JetBrains + Claude Code is like returning to the classic way efficient and powerful.
Conclusion: Claude Code is my helpful assistant on the plugin-building journey
Today’s main task was to try Claude Code, and I decided to make it my main dev tool for building the Seamless Publish plugin.
While building a one-person company workflow, I don’t need fancy “helpers” I need something solid, something that really boosts my productivity.
Claude Code + JetBrains, this combo might become my main IDE setup on the startup path.