Direct answer
Claude Code web is the cloud version you use from a browser or phone. Choose it for remote, persistent GitHub-backed tasks. Use the terminal, VS Code, or a local desktop session when the work needs files, tools, credentials, or configuration on your machine. Use Remote Control when local execution should continue while you steer from another device.
Summary
- Web
- cloud execution, persistent sessions, GitHub-centered review, and access from a browser or the Claude mobile app.
- Remote Control
- local execution with conversation and steering from claude.ai or the mobile app while the local terminal stays running.
- Desktop
- an official graphical interface for local, remote cloud, or SSH sessions with integrated review and workspace panes.
- Editor extension
- a native VS Code interface with selected-code context, file references, inline diffs, plan review, and CLI access.
- Terminal
- direct local execution, broad configuration access, scripting, and the smallest interface layer.
Website or regular Claude chat?
The regular Claude website at claude.ai supports general conversation and other Claude features. On the web, Claude Code uses the coding task surface at claude.ai/code. A Claude Code website search may also lead to public shared pages, not the product itself. Check the address before connecting a repository or following setup instructions.
Search results and public shared conversations can contain unsafe instructions. Use Anthropic's official domains and documentation for downloads, sign-in, commands, and account access. Avoid pasting an unfamiliar installation command merely because a page looks like an official guide.
Compare Claude Code interfaces
Claude Code web
The web surface runs each session on Anthropic-managed cloud infrastructure. Sessions can continue after you disconnect and support several independent tasks without local worktrees. A cloud session does not automatically receive user-scoped files, tools, MCP servers, credentials, or configuration from your machine. Commit safe project configuration or add environment setup deliberately.
- Choose it for a bounded repository task that can run with cloud tools and configured network access.
- Prefer another surface when the task needs private local services, interactive authentication, uncommitted local state, or frequent close steering.
- Review the branch, diff, checks, environment visibility, and pull request before accepting or merging work.
Read the current Claude Code web quickstart.
Using Claude Code mobile access
Mobile access does not turn a phone into the machine that builds your project. The Claude mobile app can submit and review web sessions that run in the cloud. Remote Control can steer a local session while its commands and file access remain on your computer. Choose between those paths by deciding where the code must execute.
Check current Remote Control requirements and limits.
Desktop Claude Code GUI
The official desktop app provides a Claude Code GUI with conversation, diff review, terminal, file, preview, session, and pull-request surfaces. Current documentation supports macOS and Windows downloads, not Linux. A Code session can use local files, Anthropic cloud infrastructure, or an SSH-connected machine. The execution choice controls which files and configuration are available.
Use Anthropic's current desktop quickstart.
Editor extension
The official VS Code extension keeps Claude beside the editor. People searching for Claude Code in VSCode are looking for this same integration. Features include selected text, file references, plan review, conversation history, and side-by-side diffs. The extension also includes the CLI for terminal workflows. Use it when code navigation and review should stay close to the files you already edit.
Follow the current official VS Code extension guide.
Terminal CLI
The terminal runs Claude Code directly in a local shell. It fits developers who want explicit project location, command output, configuration, scripts, and automation. The terminal is not automatically safer or more capable than every graphical surface. Its value comes from direct local context and a workflow the operator can understand and review.
Which Claude Code surface should you choose?
- Choose web for a well-scoped GitHub task that should keep running in an isolated cloud session.
- Choose mobile access to start or review a cloud task, or to steer local work through Remote Control.
- Choose desktop for a graphical multi-pane workspace, local or remote sessions, and visual diff or preview review.
- Choose VS Code when selection context, file navigation, plans, and diffs belong inside the editor.
- Choose the terminal when local tools, scripts, configuration, uncommitted changes, or shell-native work matters most.
- Combine surfaces only when the handoff is supported and you know where the current session and code state live.
A six-question decision check
- Where must commands run: an Anthropic cloud VM, this computer, or an SSH host?
- Does the task need uncommitted files, local services, credentials, or user-scoped configuration?
- How often will a person need to steer the work while it runs?
- Is GitHub available and appropriate for transferring the repository and reviewing a branch?
- Which review surface makes the diff, tests, logs, preview, and remaining risk easiest to inspect?
- Can the session move between surfaces without losing the required state or exposing data?
Moving work between interfaces
Cloud sessions can be monitored from the web or mobile app. Current documentation also supports pulling a cloud session into the terminal with teleport. The desktop app provides its own continuation paths. Do not assume every local session can be pushed to every remote surface. Check the current handoff direction before starting a long task.
Review execution and access before convenience
- Confirm the official domain, application publisher, extension publisher, and documentation page.
- Know whether code runs locally, through SSH, or in an Anthropic-managed environment.
- Limit repository, network, command, secret, and connector access to what the task needs.
- Treat environment variables and setup scripts according to who can view or edit that environment.
- Inspect the final diff, test evidence, logs, generated files, and pull-request automation.
- Keep deployment, merge, destructive commands, and external messages human-controlled unless separately authorized.
What competing Claude Code GUI guides cover
Current competing guides compare the CLI, official desktop app, web sessions, editor extensions, and third-party graphical tools. Tutorials for VS Code go deeper on installation and editor interaction. This guide uses official documentation for product facts and organizes the decision around execution location, context, steering, review, and handoff.
Compare Galileo14's current CLI and desktop guide.
Compare DataCamp's current VS Code extension tutorial.
Use Better Design's current Claude Code installation guide for the terminal path.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Anthropic documents official graphical interfaces in the desktop app and supported IDE extensions. The web product provides another browser interface for cloud sessions. Features and execution locations differ, so choose by task rather than the presence of a GUI alone.
You can submit or review cloud sessions through the Claude mobile app. You can also steer a local Remote Control session from mobile while the terminal process remains on your computer. The phone is the conversation surface, not necessarily the execution machine.
The editor is a better fit when selected code, local tools, and close diff review matter. Web is better for persistent cloud tasks and parallel repository work. Neither choice is universal because they run in different environments and support different handoffs.