Claude Focus — VS Code Extension

Automatically brings your VS Code window to the front whenever Claude Code needs your attention — like permission prompts, confirmations, or when it finishes a task.

Works on macOS, Windows, and Linux.

Installation

Install Claude Focus from the VS Code Marketplace.
On first launch, you'll see a prompt: "Set up the Claude Code hook?" — click Install Hook.
That's it. Claude Code will now auto-focus your VS Code window.

You can also run the setup manually anytime via Command Palette → Claude Focus: Setup Claude Code Hook.

How It Works

Claude Code (terminal)
    │
    ├── Needs user permission / finished task
    │
    ├── Fires "Notification" hook
    │
    ├── Hook sends HTTP POST to localhost:19876
    │
    └── VS Code extension receives request
            ├── Raises VS Code window to front
            └── Shows notification with "Go to Terminal" button

Two pieces work together:

VS Code Extension — runs a lightweight local HTTP server inside VS Code that listens for focus requests.
Claude Code Hook — an inline command that Claude Code runs automatically when it needs your input. Installed automatically into ~/.claude/settings.json.

Linux — Install Window Manager Helper (Optional)

On Linux, the extension needs a helper tool to raise the OS window:

X11 (most distros):

# Fedora
sudo dnf install wmctrl

# Ubuntu / Debian
sudo apt install wmctrl

Wayland + GNOME: No extra install needed — the extension uses gdbus (pre-installed on GNOME).

macOS and Windows need nothing extra.

Extension Settings

Open VS Code settings (Ctrl+, / Cmd+,) and search for "Claude Focus":

Setting	Default	Description
`claudeFocus.port`	`19876`	Port the local HTTP server listens on
`claudeFocus.enabled`	`true`	Enable or disable window focusing
`claudeFocus.showNotification`	`true`	Show a notification toast when Claude needs attention

Commands

Open the Command Palette (Ctrl+Shift+P / Cmd+Shift+P):

Command	Description
`Claude Focus: Focus Window`	Manually trigger a window focus
`Claude Focus: Setup Claude Code Hook`	Install the hook into ~/.claude/settings.json
`Claude Focus: Remove Claude Code Hook`	Remove the hook from ~/.claude/settings.json

Customizing the Hook

The hook is installed as an inline command in ~/.claude/settings.json. By default it triggers on all Claude Code notifications. You can edit the matcher field to narrow it:

Matcher	Triggers when
`""`	Any notification (default — recommended)
`"permission_prompt"`	Claude asks for permission to run a tool
`"idle_prompt"`	Claude finishes work and waits for next input

Troubleshooting

Extension says "Port in use"

Another process is using port 19876. Change it in VS Code settings (claudeFocus.port), then run Claude Focus: Setup Claude Code Hook again to update the hook command.

Window doesn't come to the front

macOS: Should work out of the box. If not, check System Settings > Privacy & Security > Accessibility and ensure your terminal app has permission.
Windows: Some antivirus software blocks SetForegroundWindow. Try running VS Code as administrator.
Linux X11: Make sure wmctrl is installed (wmctrl -l should list windows).
Linux Wayland: GNOME is supported via gdbus. Other compositors (KDE, Sway) may not be supported yet.

Hook isn't firing

Check that ~/.claude/settings.json is valid JSON (no trailing commas).

Test manually:

curl -X POST http://127.0.0.1:19876/focus \
  -H "Content-Type: application/json" \
  -d '{"message": "Test: Claude needs your attention!"}'

Use Claude Code's /hooks command to verify hooks are registered.

Uninstalling

Run Command Palette → Claude Focus: Remove Claude Code Hook to clean up the hook.
Uninstall the extension from VS Code.

License

MIT

Claude Focus

Rahul Rajput