Terminal, with Launchpad
Best for: unattended runs, scripting, and anyone who prefers a terminal
One works while you watch. One works while you don’t.
First, to be fair to the app, because most comparisons online get this wrong: the desktop app really does open and edit the files on your computer. Anyone telling you otherwise is describing its chat tab, not its Code tab. The real difference is simpler than a feature list. The desktop app only works while you are sitting in front of it. It cannot be left to finish a long job on its own, and it cannot be set off automatically. Anthropic says as much in its own documentation, and points you to the terminal for that kind of work.
“Use Desktop when you want to manage parallel sessions in one window, arrange panes side by side, or review changes visually. Use the CLI when you need scripting, automation, or prefer a terminal workflow.”
Anthropic’s own documentation. “CLI” is their word for the terminal version, the one this installs.Side-by-side
| Criterion | Terminal (with Launchpad) | Claude Code Desktop |
|---|---|---|
| The AI itself | The official Claude Code | Exactly the same |
| Opens and edits files on your PC | ✓ | ✓ |
| Pick your folder in a window, nothing to type | ✓ | ✓ |
| Can finish a job while you sleep | ✓ | ✕only while you are watching |
| Can be started automatically | ✓ | ✕ |
| Carries on after the 5 hour limit | ✓if you switch it on | ✕ |
| Tells you out loud when it needs you | ✓ | ✕ |
| Save a project’s whole setup and reuse it | ✓folder, model, options and colour in one click | ✕you set the options each time |
| Shows changes side by side to approve | ✕ | ✓ |
| Several projects at once | A tab for each | ✓ |
| What you need | A paid Claude plan | A paid Claude plan |
| Cost of this tool | Free, open source | Free, from Anthropic |
What the launcher adds
- Auto-continueWaits out the 5 hour limit, then resumes. Off by default.
- Voice alertsA sound when it needs a decision, another when it is done.
- Profiles per projectFolder, model, flags and env saved as one click.
- Live usage barModel, context, session and weekly limits with countdowns.
- A tab per projectOne window, each tab named after its folder.
- Sets itself upOne installer puts everything in place. Nothing to configure.
Free, open source, and it runs Anthropic's official Claude Code unmodified.
Frequently asked
Does the desktop app really not touch my files?
Then why would I use the terminal?
Can I use both?
Get it
Download for Windows All download options
Every claim about Desktop comes from Anthropic's documentation: Desktop application and Desktop quickstart. For developers: the docs list --print and --output-format as not available in Desktop, and note that flags for scripting and automation have no desktop equivalent.