Claude Desktop vs Claude Code

Q: How do I move a terminal session into Desktop?

Run /desktop in the terminal on macOS or Windows (x64) while signed in with a Claude plan. It does not work with an API key or on Amazon Bedrock, Google Cloud or Microsoft Foundry. In Desktop, /resume lists sessions you started in the terminal.

Claude Desktop is the Claude app for your computer. Claude Code is the coding agent that runs in a terminal, editors, the web and inside Desktop.

Local servers: Yes; runs stdio servers
Hosted servers: Yes; connects by URL
Config: CLI + JSON; how servers are added
Plugins: Yes; plugin marketplaces

They are not rivals. Claude Desktop is the Claude app for Mac, Windows and Linux (beta), with chat, Cowork and a Code tab, and that Code tab is Claude Code in a window.

Our advice: use the Desktop Code tab if you want parallel sessions, side-by-side panes and visual diffs. Use the terminal version if you need scripts, CI or your own terminal workflow. Both run the same engine, share your settings and can work on the same project at the same time.

Good for

Developers choosing between the terminal and the app
Claude Desktop users wondering what the Code tab adds
People who run several coding sessions at once
Teams that need scripting or CI

Side by side

Our advice: Pick Desktop for a window with panes and parallel sessions. Pick the terminal for scripts, agent teams and cloud-provider setups.

Option	Claude Code (terminal)	Claude Desktop (Code tab)
What it is	Coding agent in a terminal	Claude app with a Code tab
Cost to start	Paid plan or API account	App is free; Code needs paid
Scripting and CI	Yes	No, interactive only
Parallel sessions	Separate terminals	Sidebar tabs
Visual diffs and panes	In your IDE	Built in
Agent teams	Yes	No
Bedrock, Foundry, Google Cloud	Yes	Via gateway or 3P setup
Computer use	Via /mcp, macOS	Pro, Max, Ultra, preview
Shared settings and MCP	Yes	Yes

Which to pick

Our advice: Start in Desktop if you prefer a window to a terminal and want to review changes visually. Use the terminal version for scripts, CI and agent teams. You can use both on one project, and /desktop moves a terminal session into the app.

The main limit on each side: Desktop is interactive only, and the terminal has no built-in pane layout.

Best for

Desktop: several sessions in one window, with diffs, terminal and browser panes
Desktop: people who also want chat and Cowork in the same app
Terminal: scripting, automation and CI with the print flag or Agent SDK
Terminal: agent teams and the dontAsk permission mode
Terminal: Bedrock, Foundry or Google Cloud setups set up through settings

Skip it if

Desktop: you need headless runs, since it is interactive only
Terminal: you want a visual diff and pane layout without an IDE

Questions

Is Claude Code the same as Claude Desktop?

No. Claude Desktop is the Claude app, with chat, Cowork and a Code tab. Claude Code is the coding agent, and it also runs in a terminal, VS Code, JetBrains and on the web. In the app, the Code tab is Claude Code.

Does Claude Desktop include Claude Code?

Yes. The Code tab is Claude Code, and you do not need to install the terminal version separately. A paid Claude plan is required for the Code tab. See the Claude Desktop and Claude Code pages.

Can I use both on the same project?

Yes. Anthropic says you can run both at once, even on one project. They share CLAUDE.md files, skills, hooks and the MCP servers in ~/.claude.json and .mcp.json, but each keeps its own session list.

How do I move a terminal session into Desktop?

Run /desktop in the terminal on macOS or Windows (x64) while signed in with a Claude plan. It does not work with an API key or on Amazon Bedrock, Google Cloud or Microsoft Foundry. In Desktop, /resume lists sessions you started in the terminal.

What can the terminal do that Desktop cannot?

Script it. Desktop is interactive only, so there is no print mode or Agent SDK. Agent teams and the dontAsk permission mode are also CLI-only, and the CLI supports Bedrock, Foundry and Google Cloud directly.

What can Desktop do that the terminal cannot?

It adds a sidebar of parallel sessions, panes for diff, browser, terminal and files, file attachments such as images and PDFs, a scheduled-tasks screen, and an iOS Simulator pane on macOS.

Is Claude Desktop free?

The app is free on every plan, including Free. The Code tab needs a paid plan. Claude Code is included in Pro, Max and Ultra.

Which operating systems does Claude Desktop support?

macOS, Windows (x64 and ARM64) and Linux. Linux is in beta and supports Ubuntu and Debian.

Does Claude Desktop use the same MCP servers as Claude Code?

Mostly. The Code tab loads servers from claude_desktop_config.json as well as ~/.claude.json and .mcp.json. The terminal version does not read claude_desktop_config.json; on macOS and WSL, claude mcp add-from-claude-desktop copies them over.

Which should I pick if I am new to Claude Code?

Anthropic does not rank them. Its guidance: choose Desktop for parallel sessions, panes and visual review, and the terminal for scripting and automation or if you prefer a terminal.

Information

updated Nov 3, 2026

Transports: stdio, SSE, Streamable HTTP
Config file (all): .mcp.json (project) or ~/.claude.json (user)
MCP docs: code.claude.com

Docs

Sources

Docs, issue trackers and discussions this page is built from.

Show all 4

Claude Code Desktop · code.claude.com
Download Claude · claude.com
Claude Code overview · code.claude.com
Claude pricing · claude.com