Three Integration Paths for Claude Sonnet 4.6 in VS Code: Making the Right Setup Choice

Claude Sonnet 4.6 disrupts AI coding economics: at $0.15–$0.60 per hour, it undercuts Cursor Pro ($20/month) for occasional use while delivering 1M token context and superior coding capabilities. This guide compares three VS Code integration methods—official extension, direct API, and alternative tools—enabling developers to balance setup complexity, pricing control, and workflow preferences based on their coding intensity.