Install & first run

claude-code-ui runs a small local server (the daemon) on your computer. You open its web page in a browser.

What you need

Node.js 22 or newer.
Claude Code, logged in. Run claude login once. claude-code-ui uses your Claude subscription. It does not use an API key.
Linux and WSL only: a C++ toolchain, so the terminal panel can build. On Debian or Ubuntu: sudo apt install build-essential python3. Windows and macOS need nothing extra.

Run it without installing:
sh
```
npx claude-code-ui
```
Or install it once. The command is then claude-ui:
sh
```
npm i -g claude-code-ui
claude-ui
```
The terminal prints a pairing link (http://127.0.0.1:4280/#token=…) and a QR code.
Open the link in your browser. The token in the link pairs this browser with the daemon.
Click Open project and pick a folder.
Type a prompt and press Enter.

A short guided tour shows you around the first time. Skip it, or restart it later in Settings › Guide.

Keep the terminal open. Closing it stops the daemon. Your sessions stay saved and come back on the next start.
Sessions keep running when you close the browser tab.
By default the daemon only listens on 127.0.0.1 (this computer). To use it from your phone, see Phone & remote access.
Sessions can only use folders inside your home folder. Change that with --roots.
Sessions you start in the claude CLI or the VS Code extension show up here too, and the other way round.
Lost the pairing link? It is printed again at every start.
Something broke? See Troubleshooting.