### Use the chat panel from the keyboard
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451451* **Status changes**: the extension announces when Claude starts working, when Claude is ready for your input, and when Claude Code starts compacting the conversation.
452452* **Errors and model prompts**: the extension announces errors in the conversation, and announces when the [usage-credits consent prompt](/docs/en/model-config#fable-and-usage-credits) or the [flagged-request prompt](/docs/en/model-config#ask-before-switching) appears.
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454Each turn in the transcript starts with a visually hidden heading labeled with the prompt that started the turn, so you can jump between turns with your screen reader's heading navigation. Because the extension exposes the transcript as a labeled region, you can also move focus to the transcript itself with `Tab` and read it at your own pace.
454While Claude works, your screen reader reads a text label in place of the progress spinner's animation.
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456Two more actions are available from the keyboard:
456When you reopen a session or switch to another one, the extension announces nothing: restored history, pending permission prompts, and in-progress status stay silent until something new happens.
457457
458* **Jump to the newest message**: run **Claude Code: Focus last message** from the [Command Palette](#vs-code-commands-and-shortcuts) to move focus straight to the newest message, or to a waiting permission prompt.
459* **Change where an approval is saved**: when an option on a permission prompt saves a permission rule or directory access, its label ends by naming where the approval is saved, such as "all projects" or "this session". Click those words to change the destination. With the option focused, you can also press the `Left` or `Right` arrow key; the extension announces each destination as you land on it. The arrow keys require Claude Code v2.1.268 or later.
458### Use the chat panel from the keyboard
460459
461While Claude works, your screen reader reads a text label in place of the progress spinner's animation.
460Each turn in the transcript starts with a visually hidden heading labeled with the prompt that started the turn, so you can jump between turns with your screen reader's heading navigation. Because the extension exposes the transcript as a labeled region, you can also move focus to the transcript itself with `Tab` and read it at your own pace. To move focus to the newest message or a waiting permission prompt instead, run **Claude Code: Focus last message** from the [Command Palette](#vs-code-commands-and-shortcuts).
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463When you reopen a session or switch to another one, the extension announces nothing: restored history, pending permission prompts, and in-progress status stay silent until something new happens.
462When an option on a permission prompt saves a permission rule or directory access, its label ends by naming where the approval is saved, such as "all projects" or "this session". With that option focused, press the `Left` or `Right` arrow key to change the destination, and the extension announces each destination as you move to it. You can also click the destination in the label. The arrow keys require Claude Code v2.1.268 or later.
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465464## VS Code extension vs. Claude Code CLI
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