Control Claude Code and Other AI Coding Agents from Your Phone

AI-powered coding assistants have significantly changed the way developers approach software creation. Tools such as Claude Code, Cursor CLI, and OpenAI Codex can handle large refactoring jobs, generate feature branches, or troubleshoot production bugs from a single command in the terminal.

However, there is a limitation that becomes obvious over time. These agents typically run on your local machine. Once you leave your desk, you also lose sight of what the agent is doing. You cannot easily tell whether it has completed the task or is waiting for your response.

This becomes frustrating when tasks take longer than expected.

The Challenge of Being Tied to Your Terminal

AI coding agents often need several minutes to complete complex instructions. During that period, you might be away from your computer. If the agent pauses for clarification and you are not there to respond, the entire process slows down.

Remote access addresses this issue. Instead of being restricted to your workstation, you can check progress, respond to prompts, and review changes directly from your phone or tablet. This flexibility keeps work moving, even when you are not physically at your desk.

For teams running agents on shared servers or cloud environments, a browser-based interface also lowers the barrier to access. Not everyone needs deep terminal knowledge to monitor or manage sessions.

Understanding Claude Code UI

Claude Code UI, also referred to as CloudCLI, is an open-source web interface designed to manage CLI-based coding agents through a browser. Rather than replacing tools like Claude Code, Cursor CLI, or Codex, it works alongside them.

The system detects active projects and sessions, then presents them through a responsive web dashboard. It uses a backend server to handle communication and streams agent responses live to the browser, making the experience feel immediate and interactive.

Compatible Coding Agents

The interface supports multiple popular terminal-based coding tools:

• Claude Code
• Cursor CLI
• OpenAI Codex

You can manage one or several of them within the same dashboard.

Key Capabilities

Live Chat Interface
The central feature is a streaming chat window. You see responses as they are generated, and you can reply instantly if the agent requests input.

Project File Explorer
A built-in file tree allows you to navigate directories and open files in the browser. Syntax highlighting makes reviewing changes straightforward, especially when you only need to inspect small edits.

Integrated Git Controls
You can examine file changes, stage updates, create commits, and switch branches without leaving the interface. This helps you quickly validate what the agent has modified.

Session Continuity
Conversations are stored so you can pause work on one device and continue later on another without losing context.

MCP Integration
Support for Model Context Protocol servers enables you to extend your agent’s functionality with custom tools and integrations.

Embedded Terminal Access
When deeper control is required, the integrated shell provides direct command-line access from within the browser.

Installing Claude Code UI

Ensure Node.js version 22 or newer is installed:

node --version

Clone the repository:

git clone https://github.com/siteboon/claudecodeui.git

Navigate to the project folder:

cd claudecodeui

Install dependencies:

npm install

Copy the environment file:

cp .env.example .env

Start the server:

npm start

Then open http://localhost:3001 in your browser.

Connecting Your Coding Agents

After launching the interface, go to Settings and open the Agents section. From there, log in to the tools you plan to use. Once authenticated, you can manage sessions directly through the web dashboard.

Creating a Workspace

To begin working, create a new workspace from the sidebar. Provide the local project path and optionally add a GitHub repository URL if you want to clone a remote project. After setup, you can immediately start interacting with your coding agent.

Working Through Chat or Shell

You can issue instructions and review responses through the chat interface or switch to the embedded shell for direct command-line interaction. File browsing and Git management are available in the same environment, keeping everything centralized.

Accessing It Remotely with Pinggy

To use the interface from your phone, create a secure SSH tunnel using Pinggy:

ssh -p 443 -R0:localhost:5173 [e-mail] "u:Host:localhost:5173"

Pinggy generates a public HTTPS link that forwards traffic to your local server. Open that link on your phone to access the full dashboard remotely.

The free plan assigns a temporary URL each time you reconnect. A paid plan offers consistent subdomains for stable access.

Faster Launch with NPX

If you prefer not to clone the repository, you can start the interface directly:

npx @siteboon/claude-code-ui

This launches the server instantly at http://localhost:3001. And it redirected to http://localhost:5173.

Conclusion

As AI coding assistants become a regular part of development workflows, the ability to monitor and interact with them remotely becomes increasingly valuable. A browser-based layer on top of CLI tools provides flexibility without disrupting established practices.

Being able to review progress, respond to prompts, and manage changes from any device allows developers to maintain momentum throughout the day. Remote access is no longer just convenient; it aligns naturally with modern, distributed development habits.

Reference

Remotely Manage Claude Code and Other Coding Agents from Your Phone