The AI Assistant is a chat window in the IDE where Claude can answer questions about BambooBasic, explain your code, fix build errors and, if you let it, edit your files.
It opens in its own window, so you can put it beside the editor or on a second monitor. If it was open when you closed the IDE, it opens again next time.
The AI Assistant uses your own Anthropic API key, and what you use is billed to your Anthropic account. The first time you open it you'll be asked for the key:
The key is stored encrypted, for your Windows user only, in your own settings folder rather than the BambooBasic folder, so it never ends up in your projects or gets shared with them. You can change or remove it at any time from Options.
The drop-down at the top of the window picks which Claude model answers. You can switch at any time, even mid-chat.
The Session figure next to it is a running estimate of what this session has cost, worked out from the token counts Anthropic sends back. Your Anthropic Console has the exact figures.
The reply appears as it is written. New chat makes Claude forget the old conversation, which also keeps each question cheaper. Your attachments stay, and go with the first message of the new chat.
Code in a reply has two links under it: Copy puts it on the clipboard, and Insert at cursor drops it into the editor where your cursor is.
Note: Claude only sees what you attach. It can't look around your computer or open your other files by itself.
The Attach menu adds:
You can also right-click in the editor and pick Ask AI about this. The selected code (or the line you clicked) is put in the message box under "Explain this code", ready to send with Enter or to change first. It also shows in the attachments list, marked "in your message", until Claude has answered.
The attached button shows how many things are attached and opens the Attachments window, which you can dock on any side or leave floating. Selections come off the list by themselves once Claude has answered. Files and build output stay until you remove them (select and press Delete, or right-click for more). Each one is sent once. When an attached file changes, Claude is sent the new copy with your next message, so it always works from what's in the editor, unsaved changes included. If you remove a file, Claude is told it can't use it any more.
Along with your message, Claude is also told the name of the file you're on and whether you're building for Desktop or Web, so it suggests things that work on that target.
The Quick menu has two ready-made questions:
Claude already knows the list of BambooBasic functions for Desktop and Web. When it needs more detail, such as exact parameters or how a feature works, it searches these docs and the example programs rather than guessing. A grey Looked up: line under the reply shows which pages it read, so you can read them too.
When you ask for a change ("fix this", "add a pause screen"), Claude can make it in your code itself. It can only edit files you have attached. If the change belongs in another file, such as an Include, it will ask you to attach that one.
If you'd rather Claude only suggested changes, untick Options > Let Claude edit attached files. It will then show the code in its reply instead, for you to copy or insert yourself.
Nothing is sent until you send a message. Then your message, your attachments and any documentation Claude looks up are sent to Anthropic to get the reply. Nothing else from your computer is sent. Your API key never leaves your PC except to talk to Anthropic.
AI can make mistakes. Always read the code or advice the AI Assistant gives you, and test changes before you rely on them.
BambooBasic © 2026 Michael Denathorn