Zed just shipped version 1.3.5 with a clever workaround for the looming Claude Code cost crisis. The new Terminal Threads feature lets developers fire up terminal sessions right in the sidebar — complete with environment variables and project directories — and run CLI tools like Claude Code and Amp without ever leaving the editor.
The timing isn't accidental. Starting June 15th, Anthropic is moving its Agent SDK to a limited points system, and calling Claude Code through the traditional ACP (Agent Context Protocol) will cost 15 to 30 times more. By routing through a terminal thread instead, developers can keep using their standard subscriptions and dodge the expensive API billing. Terminal Threads also supports running multiple agents in parallel across different projects.
Zed says it will continue to invest in deep ACP integration, but for now, this new terminal option offers a low-friction alternative with zero additional interface fees.