Anthropic just completely changed the game for developers who want to stay connected to their projects while on the move. They recently released an official feature for Claude Code called "Remote Control" (often referred to as Claude Remote), which seamlessly bridges the gap between your local coding environment and your smartphone.
If you are tired of being chained to your desk while running intense tasks, here is a detailed breakdown of what Claude Remote is, how it works, and how to set it up.
What is Claude Code Remote Control?
In the past, accessing a terminal on your phone required setting up complicated VPNs or third-party SSH apps. With the new Remote Control feature, Anthropic handles the connection entirely natively.
When you connect to Claude Code via your phone, you aren't just chatting with a standard cloud-based AI. You are actively utilizing your computer's local resources, files, and configured tools. For example, if you ask the mobile app to execute a custom skill—like generating a thumbnail for a project—the heavy lifting is actually processed on your laptop, but you control and view the progress right from your phone. Your terminal and your phone screen mirror each other perfectly in real-time.
Prerequisites for Setup
Before you get started, there are a few strict requirements for this feature since it is currently in a "research preview" phase:
- Claude Pro Plan: Claude Code is not available on the free tier; you need at least a Pro or Team plan to access it.
- A Mac Computer: As of the current preview release, the Remote Control feature is exclusively available for Mac users.
- The Claude Mobile App: You need to have the native Claude app installed and logged in on your smartphone.
Step-by-Step Setup Guide
Setting up Remote Control is incredibly elegant and takes only a few seconds.
Step 1: Prep your project on your Mac
Because of current limitations, you cannot launch a brand-new project from your phone. You must begin at your computer. Open your terminal and change directories (cd) into the specific project folder you want to work on.
Step 2: Initiate the Remote Session
Start your Claude Code session in the terminal. Once inside the active session, simply type the command:
/remote-control
(Note: You can also append the remote control option directly to your startup command when initially launching Claude Code.)
Step 3: Connect your Phone
After running the command, Claude Code will attempt to display a QR code in your terminal. Even if the QR code doesn't pop up, you can simply open the native Claude app on your phone and refresh the screen.
Step 4: Resume and Code
Your active desktop session will automatically appear right inside your mobile app. Simply click it to resume.
Current Features & Limitations
- The "Ask Tool" Works on Mobile: If Claude Code needs to interrupt its process to ask you a multiple-choice question or seek permission (using the Ask tool), the prompt will pop up beautifully formatted directly inside the mobile app for you to click.
- Limitation - No "Cold Starts": As mentioned, the biggest feature request right now is the ability to start a completely fresh session from the phone. Currently, you must start the session, target the correct directory, and run the
/remote-controlcommand on your laptop before you can leave your desk.
Ultimately, this is a massive leap forward for agentic workflows and local coding. Whether you are stepping out to spend time with family or just want to monitor a massive code review from the couch, Claude Code's Remote Control feature gives you the freedom to do so without losing access to your local machine's power.
