Claude Surfaces

Overview

A surface is any interface where you use Claude Code. Most need a subscription or Console account.

Surface	Key points
Terminal CLI	The default; `claude`
Desktop app	Code tab: parallel sessions with optional worktree isolation (`.claude/worktrees/`), visual diff review, `/code-review`, PR monitoring (Auto-fix / merge, needs `gh`), drag-and-drop panes (chat, diff, browser, terminal, editor), connectors, plugins. Local, cloud, SSH or WSL environments. macOS, Windows, Linux (beta). Computer use: research preview, Pro/Max
Web (claude.ai/code)	Runs on Anthropic infrastructure and keeps going if you close the app; multiple repos per session; parallel sessions; modes Accept edits / Plan / Auto (no bypass); counts against your plan limits
Remote Control	Pro/Max/Team/Enterprise only (no API keys; Team/Enterprise Owner must enable). `claude remote-control` (server mode; `--name`, `--spawn` same-dir or worktree, `--capacity N`), `claude --remote-control` / `--rc` (interactive), or `/remote-control` / `/rc` in a session or VS Code/Desktop. Drive your local session from claude.ai/code or the mobile app; code stays on your machine
Chrome extension	Drives your browser, feeds screenshots back into the loop
VS Code extension	GUI over the CLI; some commands fall back to terminal
JetBrains	Plugin from the JetBrains Marketplace; Claude Agent integrated alongside Junie
GitHub Actions / GitLab CI/CD	See Claude Hooks and Automation
Slack	Claude Code in Slack

Sessions started on web/Remote Control show under "Past Conversations" (Local/Web tabs) in the IDE.
Related: Claude Sessions and Context for resuming.

Cloud sessions (Pro, Max, Team, Enterprise premium seats) are started with claude --cloud "task" (follow-ups: claude -p "msg" --cloud <session-id>), claude.ai/code, the mobile app, or Desktop. Pull one into the terminal with claude --teleport or /teleport; the handoff is one-way (cloud → terminal). /web-setup sends your gh token for GitHub access; /autofix-pr (or the PR's Auto-fix toggle, needs the Claude GitHub App) watches CI failures and review comments. Unavailable with ZDR, HIPAA config, CMEK or third-party providers.

Cloud (web) sessions run on a fresh clone: they read the repo's .claude/settings.json (single-repo sessions) but not your user or local settings; only server-managed settings reach them.