Surface
Any place you use : , , Desktop or the web. See what it is, how it works, how it is used and what to watch for, with pictures and examples.
What it is
A surface is any place where you use : the (), , , the Desktop app, the web at claude.ai/, and the mobile app. All surfaces run the same engine, but each one is tuned for a different way of working. Sessions on your computer read your CLAUDE.md, settings and skills, and the local surfaces share configuration, project and . sessions start from a fresh clone of your and do not read the ~/.claude/ folder on your computer.
How it works
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Pick where you like to work
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The same engine runs everywhere
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Local surfaces share your settings
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Mix surfaces on one project
How to use it
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claudein a terminalthe CLI, the most complete surface; scripting and the are CLI-only
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Desktop app — visual review, sessions and app preview
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VS Code or JetBrains extension — diffs and file inside your editor
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claude.ai/code or the mobile app — cloud sessions that keep running after you disconnect
Watch out
Slack and the extension are integrations that connect to a surface, not surfaces themselves. Desktop and the IDE extensions trade some CLI-only features for visual review and tighter editor links. A cloud session does not see skills or settings that live only in your home folder.
Related terms
Original and official docs
This page explains the term in plain words. The original is the authority: if they differ, follow the original.
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