If you’re a Python developer using PyCharm and excited about Anthropic’s Claude Code (the powerful AI coding assistant that lives in your terminal and integrates with IDEs), you might run into the same frustrating issue I did recently.
I have a Claude Pro subscription, and I was eager to get the full IDE integration working in PyCharm 2025.3.1. Here’s what happened and how I finally fixed it.
My Setup
• PyCharm version: 2025.3.1.1 (Build #PY-253.29346.308)
• Claude Code CLI: v2.1.5 (updated to latest)
• Claude Code PyCharm Plugin: 0.1.14-Beta (installed from JetBrains Marketplace)
• OS: Windows 11 Pro
The Claude CLI worked perfectly when I typed claude in my regular terminal — it launched, chatted with my codebase, everything fine.
But inside PyCharm:
• Clicking the Claude icon launched the tool.
• Running /ide showed “No IDE detected”.
• Diff viewing, selection context sharing, file references, and other integrations refused to work.
• PyCharm popped up a notification: “Cannot Launch Claude Code. Please ensure Claude Code is installed and the ‘claude’ command is in your system path.”
I knew the claude command was in my PATH — it worked everywhere else!
What I Tried First (The Usual Suspects)
I followed Anthropic support’s excellent suggestions:
1. Ran claude update and restarted terminals/IDEs.
2. Checked PyCharm’s Python Console PATH in Settings → Build, Execution, Deployment → Console → Python Console — it included the Claude bin directory.
3. Ran /doctor in Claude Code — installation looked healthy.
4. Updated both PyCharm and the plugin to the absolute latest versions.
Nothing helped. The integration still failed.
I was about to file a detailed bug report using /bug in Claude Code when I decided to try one more thing…
The Unexpected Fix: Firewall Interference
Out of curiosity, I temporarily disabled my firewall completely and relaunched everything in PyCharm.
It worked instantly!
/ide detected PyCharm, diffs opened in the IDE viewer, context from selections flowed seamlessly, and the notification disappeared.
Turns out, the Claude Code plugin and CLI communicate over a local socket/port (likely localhost TCP connection) to enable those fancy IDE features. My firewall was blocking this internal loopback traffic between the plugin and the running Claude process.
Permanent Solution
Instead of leaving the firewall off (not recommended!), I added a targeted exception:
1. Opened Windows Defender Firewall.
2. Created a new inbound and outbound rule.
3. Allowed the claude executable.
• Program path: Full path to the claude binary.
• Action: Allow the connection.
• Profile: All (Domain/Private/Public) or just Private if you’re careful.
4. Restarted PyCharm and Claude Code.
Boom — full integration unlocked!
Quick Tips for Others Facing This
• If /ide says no IDE detected → Check firewall first, especially on Windows or strict corporate setups.
• PATH issues are common, but in my case it was not.
• The plugin is still in beta, so small quirks happen.
• Always run claude from your project root in the IDE terminal for best context.
• If you’re on WSL2 + Windows, also check WSL networking/firewall rules — similar localhost blocking can occur.
