Claude Code On-The-Go
A tutorial by Matthew. Featured in the OTF curated resource library.
Your Mobile Options
Cloud IDE + Terminal
Use Replit, GitHub Codespaces, or Gitpod from your phone's browser. These provide full terminal access where you can run Claude Code. The experience is surprisingly functional on modern phones.
SSH from Mobile
SSH into your development machine from a mobile SSH client (Termius, Blink Shell). Run Claude Code on your remote machine while viewing results on your phone. Best for quick fixes and reviews.
Tablet + Keyboard
An iPad with a Magic Keyboard gives you ~80% of the laptop experience. Claude Code's terminal interface works perfectly. Add a cloud IDE for file browsing and preview.
Remote SSH Setup
Set up persistent remote access for Claude Code.
Configure SSH access to your dev machine
Ensure SSH is enabled on your development machine (macOS: System Settings → General → Sharing → Remote Login). Set up key-based authentication for passwordless login.
Use tmux for session persistence
Run Claude Code inside a tmux session on your remote machine. When you disconnect (close your phone, lose wifi), the session continues. Reconnect and pick up exactly where you left off.
Install a mobile SSH client
Termius (iOS/Android) provides an excellent mobile terminal experience with customizable fonts, colors, and keyboard shortcuts. Set up your development machine as a saved host for one-tap access.
Tasks That Work Well on Mobile
Great on mobile:
- Code review with /review command
- Bug investigation ('trace why this error occurs')
- Documentation writing and updates
- Small, focused bug fixes
- Generating test cases
- Refactoring with clear instructions
Awkward on mobile:
- UI development (can't easily preview)
- Multi-file features (hard to review large diffs)
- Design-intensive work (need visual tools)
- Debugging with browser DevTools
The rule of thumb: if the task is primarily about thinking and describing (which Claude Code handles), it works on mobile. If it's about seeing and interacting with the result, save it for your laptop.
Tips for Mobile Productivity
Use Voice Input
Dictate prompts instead of typing. Modern voice recognition handles technical terms well. 'Fix the authentication middleware to check for expired tokens before proceeding' works perfectly via voice.
Keep Sessions Short
Mobile sessions work best for focused, 15-30 minute tasks. Don't try to replicate a full desktop session. Quick fixes, reviews, and investigations are the sweet spot.
Commit Early and Often
Mobile connections can be unreliable. Commit working changes frequently so you don't lose progress if you disconnect unexpectedly.
Use /compact Aggressively
Mobile screens show less context. Use /compact more frequently to keep the conversation focused and manageable on a smaller display.
