Control Claude Code and Other AI Coding Agents from Your Phone

Source: Dev.to

Introduction

AI‑powered coding assistants such as Claude Code, Cursor CLI, and OpenAI Codex have transformed how developers create software. They can perform large refactorings, generate feature branches, and troubleshoot production bugs with a single terminal command.

The Limitation of Local‑Only Agents

These agents typically run on your local machine. When you step away from your desk you lose visibility into what the agent is doing, whether it has finished a task, or if it’s waiting for your input. Complex instructions can take several minutes, and if the agent pauses for clarification while you’re away, the whole process stalls.

Remote Access as a Solution

Accessing the agents from a phone or tablet lets you:

• Check progress and respond to prompts without being at your workstation.
• Review changes on the go, keeping work moving.
• Provide a browser‑based interface for teams using shared servers or cloud environments, lowering the barrier for users who aren’t comfortable with the terminal.

Claude Code UI (CloudCLI)

Claude Code UI, also known as CloudCLI, is an open‑source web interface that manages CLI‑based coding agents through a browser. It does not replace Claude Code, Cursor CLI, or Codex; it works alongside them.

Features

• Live Chat Interface – interact with the agent in real time.
• Project File Explorer – browse and edit files directly in the browser.
• Integrated Git Controls – commit, push, and pull without leaving the UI.
• Session Continuity – keep sessions alive across devices.
• MCP Integration – (optional) connect to additional tooling.
• Embedded Terminal Access – run raw commands when needed.

Supported Agents

• Claude Code
• Cursor CLI
• OpenAI Codex

You can manage one or several agents within the same dashboard.

Installation

Prerequisite: Node.js 22 or newer.

# Verify Node version
node --version

# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/siteboon/claudecodeui.git
cd claudecodeui

# Install dependencies
npm install

# Copy the environment template
cp .env.example .env

# Start the server
npm start

Open the UI at http://localhost:3001 in your browser.

Initial Setup

1. Go to Settings → Agents.
2. Log in to the tools you plan to use (Claude Code, Cursor CLI, etc.).
3. After authentication, you can manage sessions from the dashboard.

Using the Interface

1. Create a Workspace – click the sidebar button, provide the local project path, and optionally add a GitHub repository URL to clone a remote project.
2. Interact – issue instructions via the chat interface or switch to the embedded shell for direct command‑line work.
3. File & Git Management – browse files, stage changes, commit, and push—all within the same environment.

Accessing from a Phone

Create a secure SSH tunnel with Pinggy:

ssh -p 443 -R0:localhost:3001 qr@free.pinggy.io "u:Host:localhost:3001"

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

• Free plan: generates a temporary URL each time you reconnect.
• Paid plan: provides a consistent subdomain for stable access.

Alternative Quick Start

If you prefer not to clone the repository:

npx @siteboon/claude-code-ui

This command launches the server instantly at http://localhost:3001.

Conclusion

As AI coding assistants become a regular part of development workflows, the ability to monitor and interact with them remotely adds significant value. A browser‑based layer on top of CLI tools offers flexibility without disrupting established practices. Being able to review progress, respond to prompts, and manage changes from any device helps developers maintain momentum throughout the day, aligning naturally with modern, distributed development habits.