Claude code cursor extension cannot be pinned to sidebar

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1

I’ve got claude code extension for cursor, but i cannot pin the widget to the sidebar:

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is that normal?

my install:

Version: 2.3.18
VSCode Version: 1.105.1
Commit: df371ac0d93fe1a68d05eeb59a09c5c39add0c80
Date: 2026-01-01T01:49:45.089Z
Electron: 37.7.0
Chromium: 138.0.7204.251
Node.js: 22.20.0
V8: 13.8.258.32-electron.0
OS: Darwin arm64 23.6.0

2

Hey, thanks for the report. What you’re seeing is expected behavior, and it’s confirmed in Anthropic’s official docs.

Anthropic intentionally doesn’t add an icon to the Activity Bar. Their official explanation is that, due to VS Code API limits, extensions can only place icons in the primary left sidebar, but Claude Code is designed to run in the secondary right sidebar. Instead of putting it in an awkward spot on the left, they guide users to the Spark icon.

How to open Claude Code, in order:

  • Spark icon, click it in the top-right corner of the editor. It shows up when a file is open
  • Command Palette, Cmd+Shift+P then search for Claude Code: Open in Side Bar

To make it easier, set a keyboard shortcut:

  • Cmd+K then Cmd+S to open Keyboard Shortcuts
  • Find Claude Code: Open in Side Bar
  • Set a shortcut you like, for example Cmd+Shift+C

After you open it once via the command, the Claude Code panel will appear in the sidebar and you can drag it to where you want.

This isn’t a bug. It’s a design choice documented here: Use Claude Code in VS Code - Claude Code Docs

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3

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