[BUG] VS Code extension auto-install fails when VS Code is not installed

Preflight Checklist

• [x] I have searched existing issues and this hasn't been reported yet
• [x] This is a single bug report (please file separate reports for different bugs)
• [x] I am using the latest version of Claude Code

What's Wrong?

Problem:
Claude Code automatically attempts to install VS Code extension even when VS Code is not installed, causing
an error:

'code' is not recognized as an internal or external command

What Should Happen?

Expected behavior:

• Detect that code is not available in PATH and skip installation
• Optionally: ask user whether they want to install the extension
• Optionally: detect other IDEs (Windsurf, Cursor, etc.)

Error Messages/Logs

IDE:✘ Error installing VS Code extension: 1: Command failed with exit code 1: code --force                  
                                                                                                              
--install-extension anthropic.claude-code 'code' is not recognized as an internal or external command, operable program or batch file.

Please restart your IDE and try again.

Steps to Reproduce

Current behavior:
Error appears on every launch, although it doesn't block CLI functionality.

Claude Model

None

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

2.1.4

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Windows

Terminal/Shell

Other

Additional Information

Environment:

• IDE: Windsurf (VS Code fork)
• VS Code: not installed