Ask HN: Do we still need code editors, or are Git clients enough?

A Hacker News user asked whether code editors are still necessary now that their workflow centers on Git integration and they write code with Claude Code in the terminal, rather than using IDE features built around writing code. The user, who still opens JetBrains IDEs mainly for diff viewing with the file tree alongside, asked what others use for Git — an IDE, an AI desktop app like Codex or Claude, or a dedicated Git client — and requested recommendations for a Git client built for this workflow. The Ask HN post had 1 point and 0 comments.

My workflow has shifted away from the features of code editors toward just the git integration: viewing commits, checking uncommitted changes, seeing what will go into the final PR, and so on. I'm used to JetBrains IDEs, so I still open them mainly for the git integration. I really like being able to view a diff there with the file tree next to it. For the actual coding, I use Claude Code in my terminal. I know many of you use your IDE's AI integration for this, or the Codex/Claude desktop apps, which are essentially just AI plus git integration with no real editor. So the features IDEs build around writing code don't seem to matter as much anymore, at least for me. I'm curious whether anyone else feels the same way. If you do, what do you use for git: an IDE, one of the AI desktop apps, or a dedicated git client? If you know of a good git client built for this new workflow, I'd love to hear about it. Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49780550 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=49780550 Points: 1 Comments: 0