Where do I use Claude? Web, desktop or Claude Code

Before installing anything, it's worth answering one question: what do you want to do with Claude? There are several ways to use it, and each one fits a different kind of work. This guide helps you choose where to start.

Two ways of working with Claude

Every option falls into one of two families:

• Chatting: you ask, you request a draft or an analysis, and it answers. The classic chat.
• Working as an agent on your code: with Claude Code, Claude reads your project, edits files, runs commands and proposes changes for you to review.

The first one is useful for almost anyone. The second is built for people who write code or lead technical teams, and it's the focus of this channel.

The options, one by one

1. claude.ai in your browser

The quickest way to start: go to claude.ai, sign in and chat. Nothing to install.

• Great for: asking questions, drafting, summarizing documents, exploring ideas.
• Limit: it doesn't work directly on your project's files.

2. The desktop app

The same chat experience as an app on your computer (macOS and Windows; on Linux it's in beta for Ubuntu and Debian). It also includes a Code tab with Claude Code built in, with nothing extra to install.

• Great for: using Claude Code through a visual interface, reviewing changes comfortably and keeping several sessions open at once.
• Keep in mind: the Code tab requires a paid plan.

3. Claude Code in the terminal

The most complete and flexible version of Claude Code: you install it with one command and launch it inside any project by typing claude.

• Great for: people who already live in the terminal, want to automate tasks or plug it into other commands and their CI pipeline.
• Keep in mind: if you've never used a terminal, it can feel less friendly at first.

4. Claude Code inside your editor

If you code in an editor, you can have Claude Code right there:

• VS Code (and editors based on it, like Cursor): through an extension that shows changes inline and lets you mention files.
• JetBrains (IntelliJ, PyCharm, WebStorm…): through a plugin that also needs the terminal version installed.
• Great for: people who spend their day in the editor and don't want to switch windows.

5. Claude Code on the web and on mobile

At claude.ai/code you can start Claude Code tasks in the cloud, with nothing installed on your machine, and follow them from the mobile app too.

• Great for: long-running tasks you want to leave running, repositories you don't have locally, or several tasks in parallel.

The key point: it's the same engine

Every way of using Claude Code shares the same engine. Your project instructions (the CLAUDE.md file), your settings and your MCP servers work the same in the terminal, the editor, the desktop app or the web. Picking one doesn't lock you in: you can start in one and move to another whenever you want.

Which plan do I need?

• The free plan covers chat on web, desktop and mobile, but doesn't include Claude Code.
• Claude Code is included from the Pro plan upwards (and in team and enterprise plans).
• You can also use Claude Code with an Anthropic Console account, paying per use through the API.

Plans and prices change over time: always check the official pricing page before deciding.

How to choose: a quick table

Our recommendation for this series

In the Start here guides we'll mostly use Claude Code in the terminal, because that's where commands are easiest to follow, and everything you learn carries over to the other options. If you prefer the desktop app or your editor, you can follow along just the same.

In the next guide we install Claude Code step by step.