Platforms and integrations

Choose where to run Claude Code and what to connect it to. Compare the CLI, Desktop, VS Code, JetBrains, web, and integrations like Chrome, Slack, and CI/CD.

Claude Code runs the same underlying engine everywhere, but each surface is tuned for a different way of working. This page helps you pick the right platform for your workflow and connect the tools you already use.

Where to run Claude Code

Choose a platform based on how you like to work and where your project lives.

Platform	Best for	What you get
CLI	Terminal workflows, scripting, remote servers	Full feature set, Agent SDK, computer use on macOS (Pro and Max), third-party providers
Desktop	Visual review, parallel sessions, managed setup	Diff viewer, app preview, computer use and Dispatch on Pro and Max
VS Code	Working inside VS Code without switching to a terminal	Inline diffs, integrated terminal, file context
JetBrains	Working inside IntelliJ, PyCharm, WebStorm, or other JetBrains IDEs	Diff viewer, selection sharing, terminal session
Web	Long-running tasks that don’t need much steering, or work that should continue when you’re offline	Anthropic-managed cloud, continues after you disconnect

The CLI is the most complete surface for terminal-native work: scripting, third-party providers, and the Agent SDK are CLI-only. Desktop and the IDE extensions trade some CLI-only features for visual review and tighter editor integration. The web runs in Anthropic’s cloud, so tasks keep going after you disconnect.

You can mix surfaces on the same project. Configuration, project memory, and MCP servers are shared across the local surfaces.

Connect your tools

Integrations let Claude work with services outside your codebase.

Integration	What it does	Use it for
Chrome	Controls your browser with your logged-in sessions	Testing web apps, filling forms, automating sites without an API
GitHub Actions	Runs Claude in your CI pipeline	Automated PR reviews, issue triage, scheduled maintenance
GitLab CI/CD	Same as GitHub Actions for GitLab	CI-driven automation on GitLab
Code Review	Reviews every PR automatically	Catching bugs before human review
Slack	Responds to @Claude mentions in your channels	Turning bug reports into pull requests from team chat

For integrations not listed here, MCP servers and connectors let you connect almost anything: Linear, Notion, Google Drive, or your own internal APIs.

Work when you are away from your terminal

Claude Code offers several ways to work when you’re not at your terminal. They differ in what triggers the work, where Claude runs, and how much you need to set up.

	Trigger	Claude runs on	Setup	Best for
Dispatch	Message a task from the Claude mobile app	Your machine (Desktop)	Pair the mobile app with Desktop	Delegating work while you’re away, minimal setup
Remote Control	Drive a running session from claude.ai/code or the Claude mobile app	Your machine (CLI or VS Code)	Run claude remote-control	Steering in-progress work from another device
Channels	Push events from a chat app like Telegram or Discord, or your own server	Your machine (CLI)	Install a channel plugin or build your own	Reacting to external events like CI failures or chat messages
Slack	Mention @Claude in a team channel	Anthropic cloud	Install the Slack app with Claude Code on the web enabled	PRs and reviews from team chat
Scheduled tasks	Set a schedule	CLI, Desktop, or cloud	Pick a frequency	Recurring automation like daily reviews

If you’re not sure where to start, install the CLI and run it in a project directory. If you’d rather not use a terminal, Desktop gives you the same engine with a graphical interface.

Related resources

Platforms

• CLI quickstart: install and run your first command in the terminal
• Desktop: visual diff review, parallel sessions, computer use, and Dispatch
• VS Code: the Claude Code extension inside your editor
• JetBrains: the extension for IntelliJ, PyCharm, and other JetBrains IDEs
• Claude Code on the web: cloud sessions that keep running when you disconnect

Integrations

• Chrome: automate browser tasks with your logged-in sessions
• Computer use: let Claude open apps and control your screen on macOS
• GitHub Actions: run Claude in your CI pipeline
• GitLab CI/CD: the same for GitLab
• Code Review: automatic review on every pull request
• Slack: send tasks from team chat, get PRs back

Remote access

• Dispatch: message a task from your phone and it can spawn a Desktop session
• Remote Control: drive a running session from your phone or browser
• Channels: push events from chat apps or your own servers into a session
• Scheduled tasks: run prompts on a recurring schedule