Claude Code 2.0 and GLM‑4.6 Unlock Faster AI Coding – Best Alternatives to Claude‑4.5 Sonnet
Claude Code 2.0 and GLM‑4.6 Unlock Faster AI Coding – Best Alternatives to Claude‑4.5 Sonnet
Introduction
The recent release of Claude 4.5 Sonnet has generated a lot of excitement, but many developers are already looking beyond the model to the surrounding tooling. Claude Code 2.0, the cloud‑based coding assistant, has received a substantial upgrade that makes it one of the most efficient ways to integrate third‑party models such as GLM‑4.6. In this article we break down the new features, explain how they improve the development workflow, and show why Claude Code paired with GLM‑4.6 is a compelling, cost‑effective alternative to Claude‑4.5 Sonnet.
Claude Code 2.0 – What’s New?
Claude Code’s latest version focuses on usability, reliability, and extensibility. The most notable improvements include:
- A dedicated VS Code extension that feels native and supports interactive slash commands.
- Built‑in checkpoint handling for automatic file backups.
- Quick thinking mode toggling for faster or more deliberate responses.
- Enhanced history search allowing you to reuse prior prompts across projects.
- Support for dynamic sub‑agents via JSON configuration files.
- A new config command that mirrors Gemini‑C’s flexible settings panel.
These upgrades collectively make Claude Code feel snappier and more powerful, narrowing the performance gap that some users attributed to Claude‑4.5 Sonnet.
A Full‑Featured VS Code Extension
From Terminal Helper to Integrated IDE Tool
Earlier versions of Claude Code shipped with a minimal VS Code helper that mainly acted as a terminal agent. The new extension—installed with the same command as before—offers:
- A Claude icon in the editor toolbar that opens the Claude Code interface directly within VS Code.
- An interactive slash‑command menu that appears as you type
/, similar to other popular extensions like CodeX or Cursor. - Easy switching between auto‑approve, plan, and manual approval modes.
- Context awareness: you can attach the active file’s content to a request or detach it when unnecessary.
While the UI is still less feature‑dense than the standalone terminal version, it provides a smooth, in‑IDE experience that many developers prefer.
Checkpoints – Automatic Version Control
Claude Code now mirrors the checkpoint system found in tools such as RUE, Kilo, and Klein. The workflow is simple:
- Claude automatically creates a backup of each edited file at defined intervals.
- If you need to revert, use the
/reslash command. - A list of available checkpoints appears, letting you roll back to any previous state.
This safety net eliminates the fear of destructive edits and integrates lightweight version control directly into the coding assistant.
Faster Iterations with Thinking Mode
A new thinking toggle—activated by pressing Tab—lets you switch between:
- Thinking mode: Claude takes more time to generate thorough, higher‑quality suggestions.
- Non‑thinking mode: Claude responds instantly, ideal for quick refactors or boilerplate generation.
Both modes work seamlessly with GLM‑4.6, giving you control over speed versus depth on a per‑task basis.
Searching Prompt History
Press Ctrl + R (or ⌘ + R on macOS) to open a searchable history window. This feature pulls prompts from all projects, not just the current workspace, allowing you to:
- Reuse successful prompts without rewriting them.
- Track recurring patterns in your queries.
- Quickly adapt past instructions to new contexts.
History search streamlines repetitive tasks and preserves institutional knowledge.
Dynamic Sub‑Agents and Config Commands
Sub‑Agents on the Fly
You can now launch Claude with dynamic sub‑agents by providing a JSON configuration file and referencing it with the --agents flag. This enables:
- Specialized agents for CI pipelines, testing, or documentation generation.
- Session‑specific behavior without permanently altering your global settings.
Unified Config Panel
Borrowed from Gemini‑C, the new config command opens a tabbed interface where you can adjust:
- Auto‑compact settings
- To‑do list preferences
- Verbose output toggles
- General usage limits and API keys
The three tabs—Status, Config, and Usage—provide a quick overview of the assistant’s health and resource consumption.
Why GLM‑4.6 Is a Perfect Match
The GLM‑4.6 coding plan offers a low‑cost, high‑performance alternative to Claude‑4.5 Sonnet. Its advantages include:
- Affordability: Significantly cheaper per token while maintaining strong code‑generation capabilities.
- Vision and Web‑Search Integration: Free access to vision and MCP web‑search servers, enabling on‑the‑fly documentation lookup.
- Fine‑tuned Compatibility: GLM‑4.6 responds well to Claude Code’s prompts, especially when using the new checkpoint and thinking‑mode features.
Setting GLM‑4.6 as the default model in the Claude Code settings file unlocks these benefits instantly.
Complementary Tools: Ninja Chat and Bite Rover
Ninja Chat – All‑In‑One AI Hub
For developers who juggle multiple models, Ninja Chat provides a single subscription ($11 / month) that includes:
- Access to GPT‑4.0, Claude 4, Sonnet, and Gemini 2.5 Pro.
- An AI playground for side‑by‑side response comparison.
- A mind‑map generator for organizing complex ideas.
Use the promo codes KING25 (25 % off) or KING40 (40 % off annual plans) for additional savings.
Bite Rover – Persistent Memory Layer
Bite Rover adds a memory layer to your AI coder:
- Stores important context that the assistant can recall later.
- Syncs memories across team members, similar to Git versioning for knowledge.
- Improves performance on long‑running tasks by reducing redundant lookups.
Installation is straightforward, and the tool integrates smoothly with Claude Code’s checkpoint system.
Practical Tips for Getting the Most Out of Claude Code
- Enable vision and web‑search in the GLM coding plan to let the assistant fetch up‑to‑date documentation automatically.
- Leverage checkpoints before large refactors to safeguard against accidental loss.
- Toggle thinking mode based on the complexity of the task—use fast mode for boilerplate, thoughtful mode for algorithm design.
- Reuse prompts via history search to maintain consistency across projects.
- Experiment with sub‑agents for specialized workflows such as automated testing or code review.
Conclusion
Claude Code 2.0’s refreshed interface, robust VS Code extension, and new productivity features make it a compelling platform for AI‑assisted development. When paired with the cost‑effective GLM‑4.6 model, developers gain a fast, reliable, and affordable alternative to Claude‑4.5 Sonnet. Complement services like Ninja Chat and Bite Rover further enhance the workflow, offering multi‑model access and persistent memory across teams.
If you’re looking to accelerate coding while keeping expenses low, upgrading to Claude Code 2.0 and configuring it with GLM‑4.6 should be at the top of your list.
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