Terminal, IDE, desktop or cloud: which Claude Code to use

The short answer

Every version of Claude Code runs the same engine and reads the same CLAUDE.md, settings and MCP servers. The terminal has every feature and suits scripting. VS Code and JetBrains add visual diffs next to your code. The desktop app is easiest for running several sessions side by side. Cloud sessions run on Anthropic's machines, so you can start a task from a browser or phone and close your laptop. Remote Control lets your phone steer a session that runs on your own computer.

Same engine, different windows

Whichever way you use Claude Code, it is the same agent underneath, and your project's CLAUDE.md files, settings and MCP servers work in all of them. The real questions are where the code runs (your computer or Anthropic's cloud) and how you like to work (typing commands, inside your editor or in an app).

You need a paid Claude plan (Pro or above) or a Claude Console account: the free plan does not include Claude Code. See Every way to use Claude Code for a quick tour of each option.

Side by side

Option	Runs on	Best for	Watch out for
Terminal `claude`	Your computer	Every feature, scripting with `claude -p`, automation	Feels unfamiliar if you have never used a terminal
VS Code (and Cursor)	Your computer	Seeing changes as side-by-side diffs next to your code, accepting or rejecting each one	Supports a subset of commands; install the terminal version too
JetBrains (IntelliJ, PyCharm, WebStorm and more)	Your computer	Using Claude with the IDE's diff viewer and error checks	Still labelled Beta, and needs the terminal version installed first
Desktop app (Code tab)	Your computer, the cloud or a remote machine over SSH	Several sessions side by side, visual review, previews, no terminal needed	Interactive only: no scripting
Cloud (claude.ai/code and the mobile app)	An Anthropic virtual machine	Starting tasks from a browser or phone, working on repos you have not cloned, several tasks at once	Needs your code on GitHub, and your local tools and MCP servers are not there
Remote Control	Your computer	Steering a session on your own machine from your phone or a browser	Your computer has to stay on with Claude running

Getting started with each

Terminal: install with curl -fsSL https://claude.ai/install.sh | bash on Mac, Linux or WSL (or Homebrew or WinGet), then cd into your project and type claude.
VS Code: open Extensions, search for "Claude Code" and install. Click the spark icon to start. It needs VS Code 1.94 or newer.
JetBrains: install the terminal version, then the "Claude Code [Beta]" plugin from JetBrains Marketplace, and run claude in the IDE's terminal.
Desktop app: download the Claude app for Mac or Windows (a Linux beta is also available), sign in and open the Code tab.
Cloud: go to claude.ai/code, or the Code tab in the Claude mobile app, and connect GitHub. From a terminal, claude --cloud "fix the failing test" starts a new cloud session.
Remote Control: in a terminal session type /remote-control (or start with claude --rc), then open the session from claude.ai/code or the Claude app on your phone.

Moving work between them

Cloud to your computer: claude --teleport brings a cloud session into your terminal. Push your branch first and keep the same account.
Terminal to desktop: type /desktop to carry on in the desktop app.
Desktop to cloud: use the session menu, then Open in and Cloud, so it keeps running when you close the laptop.
Your computer to your phone: Remote Control, as above.

Analogy: the same chef in different kitchens. The recipes (your CLAUDE.md and settings) travel with them; the cloud is a kitchen you rent, so you bring the ingredients (push your code) first.

Which should you pick?

New to coding: the desktop app, or VS Code if you already use it. Seeing changes visually helps you learn what Claude is doing.
Developer at a desk: the terminal or your IDE, whichever you live in. Many people use both.
Long or parallel jobs: cloud sessions, so they keep going while you do something else.
On the move: the mobile app for cloud sessions, or Remote Control for work on your own machine.
Automation and CI: the terminal with claude -p. See Headless Claude Code and CI.

Check yourself

Three quick questions to check it stuck.

Ask the tutor

Stuck on something in this lesson? Ask the AI tutor. It answers from this lesson and points you to others that help. Answers are written by AI and can be wrong. Do not include personal details, passwords or company secrets.

Frequently asked

Is Claude Code in VS Code the same as the terminal version?

It is the same engine and reads the same CLAUDE.md, settings and MCP servers. VS Code adds visual diffs and tabs but supports only a subset of commands, so it is worth installing the terminal version too.

Can I use Claude Code without installing anything?

Yes. Cloud sessions at claude.ai/code and in the Claude mobile app run on Anthropic's machines. You need a paid plan and your code on GitHub.

What is the difference between cloud sessions and Remote Control?

A cloud session runs on an Anthropic virtual machine, so your computer can be off. Remote Control runs on your own computer and lets you steer it from a phone or browser, so your computer has to stay on.