CLI, app, and mobile

Claude Code surfaces

Terminal (CLI)

The original and most powerful option. Recommended installation (native installer):

# macOS, Linux, WSL
curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash

# Windows (PowerShell)
irm https://claude.ai/install.ps1 | iex

# With Homebrew (Mac)
brew install --cask claude-code

You can also install it with npm ( npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code ). After installing, go to your project and run claude . More details in Installation . It's the best option for automation, scripts, and headless workflows (see Technical profiles ).

Desktop app (Mac and Windows)

Standalone app with a graphical interface. Lets you review diffs visually, run multiple sessions in parallel side by side, schedule recurring tasks, and launch cloud sessions. Ideal if you prefer a visual interface over the terminal. Requires a paid subscription. Download it from the official website; after installing, sign in and click the "Code" tab.

Web (claude.ai/code)

Run Claude Code in your browser without installing anything on your computer. Perfect for launching long tasks and coming back when they finish, working on repositories you don't have locally, or running multiple tasks at once in the cloud. Available on desktop browsers and in the Claude app for iOS. Get started at claude.ai/code .

IDE extensions (VS Code, JetBrains)

If you work in VS Code (or Cursor) or a JetBrains IDE, there's an official extension/plugin that integrates Claude Code into the editor with inline diffs, @-mentions, and plan review. The JetBrains one requires having the CLI installed. See Configuration .

Control Claude Code from mobile

Yes, you can use and supervise Claude Code from your phone. Here are the ways:

• Claude app for iOS + web: launch a long task from claude.ai/code or the iOS app and review or continue it from your phone.
• Remote Control: continue a session you have on your computer from your phone or another device.
• Dispatch: assign a task from your phone; a desktop session is created that you open later on your computer.
• Teleport: start a task on the web or on iOS and bring it to your terminal with the claude --teleport command (requires a claude.ai subscription).
• Channels: send tasks to a session from Telegram, Discord, iMessage, or your own webhooks.
• Slack: mention @Claude with a bug report and it returns a pull request.

Which one should I choose?

• Comfortable in the terminal and want full power? → Terminal (CLI).
• Prefer a visual interface without the terminal? → Desktop app.
• Don't want to install anything or work from multiple places? → Web.
• Already living in your editor? → VS Code or JetBrains extension.
• Want to launch or supervise on the go? → Mobile (iOS/web) + Remote Control.