Claude Code Desktop App: Multi-Agent Workspace Guide (2026)
Claude Code’s desktop app is no longer a wrapper around a single chat session. The redesign shipped on April 14, 2026 turns it into a multi-agent workspace — parallel sessions running in isolated Git worktrees, a drag-and-drop pane layout, an integrated terminal, a rebuilt diff viewer, and PR monitoring that can auto-fix and auto-merge. If you’ve been using the CLI exclusively, this is worth a look.
The shift matters because real work rarely fits in one thread. You’re fixing a bug, but you also need to spike on a refactor, and someone just asked you to review a PR. Before, that meant multiple terminal tabs or losing context. Now each task gets its own session with full Git isolation, and you manage them all from a sidebar.
What’s new
Here’s the short list:
- Multi-session sidebar — create, switch, and manage parallel sessions in one window.
- Git worktree isolation — each session gets its own worktree under
<project-root>/.claude/worktrees/, so parallel edits never collide. - Drag-and-drop workspace — terminal, file editor, diff viewer, and preview panes. Arrange them however you want.
- Integrated terminal — a real terminal inside the app, toggled with `Ctrl+“.
- In-app file editor — open and save files without leaving the workspace.
- Rebuilt diff viewer — faster, cleaner visual diffs.
- Expanded preview — render HTML files, PDFs, and run local app servers directly in a preview pane.
- Side chats — branch off a conversation without derailing the main thread.
- PR monitoring — watch PRs, auto-fix CI failures, auto-merge when ready (requires GitHub CLI).
- Three view modes — Verbose, Normal, Summary. Cycle with
Ctrl+O. - Plugin parity with CLI — every plugin that works in the terminal works here.
- SSH support on Mac — previously Linux-only, now available on macOS too.
- Computer use (research preview) — available on macOS and Windows for Pro and Max plans.
- Dispatch integration — sessions started from your phone via Dispatch appear in the sidebar with a Dispatch badge.
- Scheduled tasks and connectors — GitHub, Slack, Linear, Notion, and more.
Running parallel sessions
Hit Cmd+N to create a new session. Each session appears in the left sidebar. Click to switch, or use Ctrl+Tab / Ctrl+Shift+Tab to cycle through them.
The key detail: every session automatically gets its own Git worktree. Claude Code creates these under <project-root>/.claude/worktrees/. This means session A can be rewriting your auth module while session B refactors the database layer — on the same repo, with zero merge conflicts between them until you’re ready to integrate.
You manage worktrees through the sidebar. When you close a session (Cmd+W), the worktree is cleaned up. If a session’s PR merges or closes, the session auto-archives.
This is the biggest workflow change. You’re no longer serializing tasks — you’re running them in parallel with proper isolation.
The workspace layout
Every pane in the app is drag-and-drop. You can arrange your workspace to match how you think:
- Chat pane — the main conversation with Claude.
- Terminal — toggle with `Ctrl+“. Run commands, see output, interact with your dev environment.
- File editor — open files directly in the app. Edit and save without switching to your external editor.
- Diff viewer — toggle with
Cmd+Shift+D. The rebuilt viewer is noticeably faster than the previous version, especially on large changesets. - Preview pane — toggle with
Cmd+Shift+P. Renders HTML, PDFs, and can run local app servers so you see changes live.
Drag any pane to reposition it. Want the terminal on the right and the diff viewer below the chat? Just drag. Want a full-screen diff review? Close other panes with Cmd+\. The layout persists per session.
Side chats
Sometimes you need to ask a quick question mid-task without polluting the main conversation. Cmd+; (or Ctrl+;) opens a side chat — a branched conversation that shares context with the main thread but doesn’t affect it.
Use cases:
- Ask Claude to explain a piece of code you’re reviewing in the diff viewer.
- Explore an alternative approach before committing to it in the main session.
- Debug a test failure without cluttering the main task thread.
Side chats stay accessible in the session but are visually separated from the primary conversation.
PR monitoring and auto-merge
This feature requires GitHub CLI (gh) installed and authenticated.
Once configured, Claude Code can:
- Monitor open PRs — watch for CI failures and review comments.
- Auto-fix — when CI fails, Claude analyzes the failure and pushes a fix.
- Auto-merge — when checks pass and approvals are in, merge automatically.
Sessions tied to a PR auto-archive when the PR merges or closes, keeping your sidebar clean.
This turns Claude Code into a CI copilot. Point it at a PR, let it handle the back-and-forth of fixing linting errors, type issues, or failing tests, and merge when everything’s green.
View modes and keyboard shortcuts
Three view modes control how much detail Claude shows in responses:
| Mode | Description |
|---|---|
| Verbose | Full output — every tool call, file read, command result |
| Normal | Balanced — shows key actions, collapses routine steps |
| Summary | Minimal — just results and decisions |
Cycle through them with Ctrl+O. Use Verbose when debugging Claude’s behavior, Summary when you’re running multiple sessions and want a quick status glance.
Keyboard shortcuts
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
Cmd+N | New session |
Cmd+W | Close session |
Ctrl+Tab / Ctrl+Shift+Tab | Cycle sessions |
Cmd+Shift+D | Toggle diff pane |
Cmd+Shift+P | Toggle preview pane |
| `Ctrl+“ | Toggle terminal |
Cmd+\ | Close focused pane |
Cmd+; | Open side chat |
Ctrl+O | Cycle view modes |
Cmd+/ | Show all shortcuts |
Permission modes
The app supports five permission modes, same as the CLI:
| Mode | Behavior |
|---|---|
| Ask permissions | Prompts before every file edit or command |
| Auto accept edits | Automatically applies file changes, asks for commands |
| Plan mode | Claude plans but doesn’t execute — you review first |
| Auto (research preview) | Full autonomy — edits, commands, and tool use without prompts |
| Bypass permissions | Skips all permission checks |
Desktop vs CLI — when to use which
The desktop app doesn’t replace the CLI. They serve different workflows:
| Desktop | CLI | |
|---|---|---|
| Parallel sessions | Built-in with sidebar and worktree isolation | Manual (multiple terminals) |
| Visual diff review | Integrated pane | External tool or --diff flag |
| PR monitoring | Integrated with auto-fix/merge | Available via routines |
| Preview | HTML, PDF, local servers in-app | Browser-based |
| Scripting/piping | Not applicable | Full shell integration |
| CI/CD integration | Not applicable | Native |
| SSH/remote | Supported (Mac + Linux) | Supported |
| Headless automation | No | Yes |
Use the desktop app when you’re doing interactive, multi-track development. Use the CLI when you need scripting, piping, CI integration, or headless operation.
Getting started
- Download or update — get the latest desktop app from Anthropic’s site. You need version v1.2581.0 or later for the redesign features.
- Check your plan — available on Pro, Max, Team, and Enterprise plans. Computer use (research preview) requires Pro or Max.
- Install GitHub CLI — if you want PR monitoring and auto-merge, install and authenticate
gh. - Open a project — launch the app, open your project directory, and you’ll see the new sidebar and workspace layout.
- Environments — the app supports local, SSH, and cloud (remote) environments. SSH on Mac is new with this release.
If you’re coming from the CLI, your existing CLAUDE.md files, plugins, and settings carry over. Plugin parity means everything works the same way.
FAQ
Is the Claude Code desktop app free?
No. The desktop app requires a Claude Pro, Max, Team, or Enterprise plan. The app itself is a free download, but you need an active paid subscription to use it. Computer use (research preview) specifically requires Pro or Max.
Can I run multiple sessions?
Yes — this is the core feature of the redesign. Each session runs in its own Git worktree under <project-root>/.claude/worktrees/, providing full isolation so parallel edits never conflict. Create new sessions with Cmd+N and switch between them in the sidebar.
Does it replace the CLI?
No. The desktop app and CLI serve different workflows. Use the desktop app for interactive multi-track development with visual diffs and PR monitoring. Use the CLI for scripting, piping, CI/CD integration, and headless automation — things that don’t fit a GUI.
Does it support plugins?
Yes. The desktop app has full plugin parity with the CLI — every plugin that works in the terminal works in the desktop app. Your existing CLAUDE.md files, plugins, and settings carry over automatically.
Related links
- How to Use Claude Code — full getting-started guide
- Claude Code Cheat Sheet — quick reference for commands and flags
- Claude Code Routines Guide — automate repetitive workflows
- Claude Opus 4.7 Complete Guide — the model powering Claude Code