Install a Code Intelligence Plugin So Claude Reads Fewer Files
An official plugin type that lets Claude jump to a function's definition by symbol instead of searching text and opening several files. The install for your language, what it adds, and the catch
To find one function, Claude often searches your code as plain text and then opens several candidate files to check each match. Every file it opens adds to your context and your limit. A code intelligence plugin connects Claude to a language server, so it can look up the definition by symbol in one step.
Step 1: install the language server for your language
The plugin does not include the language server, so install the binary first and make sure it is on the PATH of the shell you start claude from.
| Language | Plugin | Language server binary |
|---|---|---|
| TypeScript and JavaScript | typescript-lsp | typescript-language-server |
| Python | pyright-lsp | pyright-langserver |
| Go | gopls-lsp | gopls |
| Rust | rust-analyzer-lsp | rust-analyzer |
| Java | jdtls-lsp | jdtls |
| C and C++ | clangd-lsp | clangd |
| C# | csharp-lsp | csharp-ls |
| Ruby | ruby-lsp | ruby-lsp |
| PHP | php-lsp | intelephense |
| Swift | swift-lsp | sourcekit-lsp |
| Kotlin | kotlin-lsp | kotlin-lsp |
| Lua | lua-lsp | lua-language-server |
For TypeScript the install command is: npm install -g typescript-language-server typescript
Keep reading
Free, for an email.
Unlocks 5 more sections, 1 copy-paste prompt, the document version, and every other guide on the site, for free. Enter your email once to keep reading.
45,000+ follow where these guides come from.No spam. Unsubscribe in one click.