How to Setup Claude Code with Ollama in VSCode on Mac/macOS | Zero-Cost AI Coding Assistant (2026)

How to Setup Claude Code with Ollama in VSCode on Mac/macOS | Zero-Cost AI Coding Assistant In this step-by-step tutorial, you’ll learn how to set up Claude Code with Ollama inside Visual Studio Code on Mac/macOS — creating a zero-cost AI coding assistant that runs locally on your machine. This guide is perfect for developers, students, and Mac users who want to integrate AI directly into their coding environment without paying for expensive API subscriptions. By combining Claude Code with Ollama, you can run powerful AI models locally and use them directly inside VS Code. This tutorial supports Apple Silicon Macs including MacBook Pro, MacBook Air, iMac, and Mac Studio running macOS on M1, M2, M3, M4, and newer chips. In this video, you’ll learn how to: • Install Ollama on macOS • Download and run local AI models (LLMs) • Install and configure Claude Code • Set up Visual Studio Code for AI development • Install required VS Code extensions • Connect Claude Code with Ollama locally • Run AI coding prompts directly in VS Code • Test the setup with real coding examples • Troubleshoot common setup issues Running AI locally with Ollama gives you complete control over your development environment while eliminating API costs and usage limits. Everything runs directly on your Mac, ensuring privacy and faster performance. Benefits of this setup: • Zero API cost • Fully local AI coding assistant • No token or usage limits • Complete privacy for your code • Seamless integration with VS Code • Faster responses with local AI models By the end of this tutorial, you’ll have Claude Code fully integrated with Ollama inside Visual Studio Code on macOS, ready to assist with coding, debugging, and development tasks. If you found this tutorial helpful, don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share it with other developers interested in AI-powered tools. #ClaudeCode #Ollama #VSCode #MacOS #LocalAI #ZeroAPICost #AICoding #SelfHostedAI #OfflineAI #LLM #DeveloperTools #ArtificialIntelligence #ProgrammingAI #TechTutorial