How to Use Claude Code on Your Phone: A Complete Guide

8/11/2025

Coding on Your Couch: The Ultimate Guide to Using Claude Code on Your Phone

Hey everyone, hope you're doing well. Let's talk about something that feels like it should be simple but is surprisingly tricky: coding on your phone. Specifically, using a powerhouse tool like Anthropic's Claude Code.

Honestly, the dream is to be able to fix a bug on your website while you're out & about, or manage a whole project from the comfort of your couch. Just whip out your phone, tell your AI assistant what to do, & see it get done. While there isn't an official "Claude Code" app just yet, don't let that stop you. Turns out, there are some pretty clever workarounds that get you surprisingly close to that dream.

I've been digging into this, trying different setups, & I've put together a guide on how you can actually make this happen. It's a bit of a "power user" move for now, but it's totally doable. So, let's get into it.

First Off, Why Even Bother Coding on a Phone?

I know what you're thinking. "Coding on a tiny screen with a virtual keyboard? No thanks." & you're not wrong, for the most part. Writing an entire application from scratch on your phone would be a nightmare. The screen is small, typing is slow, & you don't have the multi-window setup we all love on our desktops.

But here's the thing: it's not about replacing your main rig. It's about a different kind of productivity.

The Good Stuff:

Portability is HUGE: This is the main advantage. Being able to code from literally anywhere—a coffee shop, the train, your friend's place—is a game-changer. You're not chained to your desk.
Quick Fixes & Emergencies: Ever been out & gotten a notification that your website is down? Or noticed a glaring typo? With a mobile setup, you can jump in & fix it immediately instead of waiting until you get home.
Learning & Experimenting: Having a coding environment in your pocket is amazing for learning. You can test out code snippets, work through tutorials, or just play around with an idea whenever you have a spare five minutes.
Project Management on the Go: With a tool like Claude Code, a lot of the work isn't even about typing code. It's about giving instructions, reviewing pull requests, & managing workflows. & you can totally do that from a phone.

The Not-So-Good Stuff:

Screen Real Estate: It's cramped. No way around it. Juggling multiple files or looking at complex codebases is tough.
The Keyboard: Virtual keyboards are not built for writing code with all its special characters. It can be slow & frustrating.
Power & Environment: Your phone isn't as powerful as your laptop, & you can't run a full-fledged development environment directly on it (for the most part).

So, the trick is to use it for what it's good for: quick edits, managing tasks, & staying connected to your projects when you're away from your computer. & when you pair that with an AI assistant like Claude Code, it becomes a LOT more practical.

The Main Event: Your Mobile Claude Code Setups

Alright, let's get to the fun part. Since you can't just download a Claude Code app, you need to get creative. The core idea behind all these methods is the same: you'll have Claude Code running on a main computer (your "host machine"), & you'll use your phone to connect to it remotely.

Here are the most popular ways people are doing it, from the most robust to the simplest.

The "Pro" Setup: SSH + Tailscale + Termius

This is my personal favorite & what a lot of the folks on Reddit seem to be using. It sounds complicated, but it's the most powerful & flexible setup. It basically gives you a direct terminal window to your host machine, right on your phone.

Here's a breakdown of the components:

What's a Host Machine? This is just a computer that's on & connected to the internet, where you'll have Claude Code installed. It could be your main desktop, a laptop, or even a tiny Raspberry Pi that you leave running 24/7.
What's SSH? It stands for "Secure Shell," & it's a way to securely connect to another computer's command line. Think of it as a secure tunnel from your phone to your host machine's terminal.
What's Termius? This is a mobile app for both iOS & Android that acts as your SSH client. It's the window on your phone that you'll use to type commands to your host machine. It's great because it has features that make mobile coding easier, like better text editing than a standard terminal app.
What's Tailscale? This is the magic ingredient. You could just use SSH if you're on the same Wi-Fi network as your host machine. But what if you're out? Tailscale creates a secure, private network between your devices (your phone & your host machine) no matter where they are. It makes it SO much easier & more secure than messing with your home router's settings.

How to set it up (the short version):

On your host machine: Install & run Claude Code. Then install Tailscale & log in.
On your phone: Install the Termius app & the Tailscale app. Log into Tailscale with the same account.
In the Tailscale app on your phone: You'll see your host machine listed with an IP address. Copy that address.
In the Termius app: Create a new host, paste in the Tailscale IP address, & enter your host machine's username & password.

Boom. You can now connect, & you'll have a terminal window open on your host machine. You can start Claude Code, navigate your files, & do everything you'd normally do, but from your phone. It's pretty cool.

The "Integrated" Setup: GitHub Actions

This one is a bit different & SUPER powerful if you're already living in the GitHub ecosystem. Instead of directly controlling the terminal, you interact with Claude Code through GitHub itself.

Turns out, Claude Code has a fantastic GitHub integration. You can install a GitHub app that lets Claude automatically review your pull requests or even take action when you tag it in an issue.

How it works for mobile:

Set up the integration: On your main computer, you run a command in Claude Code (
1/install-github-app
) to connect it to your GitHub account & repositories.
Use the GitHub mobile app: Now, you can use the official GitHub app on your phone to manage your projects.
Trigger Claude from your phone: You can open a new issue on your repo & just tag
1@claude
with instructions like, "Hey, can you fix the styling on the contact page? The button is misaligned on mobile." Or you can review a pull request that Claude has already commented on.

This method is less about hands-on coding & more about project management & delegation. You're treating Claude like a team member you can assign tasks to directly from your phone. It's an incredibly efficient workflow, especially for teams. You can keep projects moving forward even when you're not at your desk.

The "Quick & Dirty" Setup: Chrome Remote Desktop

If the SSH setup sounds like too much work, there's a much simpler way: remote desktop software. Chrome Remote Desktop is a free & easy-to-use option.

How it works:

On your host machine: Install the Chrome Remote Desktop extension & set it up for remote access.
On your phone: Install the Chrome Remote Desktop app.
Connect: Open the app on your phone, select your host machine, & you'll see your computer's entire desktop mirrored on your phone screen.

From there, you can just open your terminal, start Claude Code, & use it like you normally would. The downside is that it can be a bit clunky. You're controlling a full desktop interface on a tiny screen, so there's a lot of pinching & zooming. But for a quick check-in or a simple command, it's the fastest way to get up & running with zero technical configuration.

Getting Your Host Machine Ready

No matter which method you choose, you'll need to set up Claude Code on a host machine first. The process is pretty straightforward, especially if you've done any kind of web development before.

The main prerequisite is Node.js. It's a JavaScript runtime that Claude Code needs to operate. You just download & install it from the official website.

Once Node.js is installed, you open your terminal & run the installation command provided on the Anthropic website. The installer will guide you through connecting it to your Anthropic account. You can either use a paid subscription (the easiest way, it's about $20/month & gives you a ton of usage) or set it up with an API key if you prefer to be billed based on usage.

Tips for a Sane Mobile Coding Experience

Coding on a phone can be frustrating, but there are a few things that can make it a lot better.

Get a Bluetooth Keyboard: This is the single biggest quality-of-life improvement you can make. Typing code on a physical keyboard, even a small portable one, is a million times better than using the on-screen keyboard.
Embrace Version Control (Git): If you're not already using Git, start now. It's essential for any serious project, but it's a lifesaver for mobile coding. It lets you track changes, revert mistakes, & collaborate with others (or your desktop machine) seamlessly.
Learn Claude's Slash Commands: Claude Code isn't just a chatbot; it's a powerful terminal tool. Get familiar with its built-in slash commands. You can even create your own custom commands to automate repetitive tasks. This is great on mobile because it saves you a ton of typing.
Keep It Simple: Don't try to refactor your entire application architecture from your phone. Use your mobile setup for what it's good at: small, targeted tasks. Fix a bug, write a single function, respond to a PR, create a project plan.

The Bigger Picture: AI, Automation, & Your Business

This whole exercise of getting a sophisticated AI like Claude Code to run from a phone is part of a much bigger trend. We're moving towards a world where powerful AI tools are always accessible, automating tasks that used to be complex & time-consuming. It's not just about coding; it's about changing how businesses operate & communicate.

For instance, while developers are figuring out how to use AI to write & manage code, many businesses are looking for ways to use AI to interact with their customers. This is where things get REALLY interesting. The same kind of conversational AI that powers Claude is being used to build intelligent assistants for websites.

This is exactly the space where a tool like Arsturn comes in. While Claude is for developers, Arsturn is for business owners, marketers, & support teams. It's a no-code platform that lets you build a custom AI chatbot trained on your own business data. Think about it: a chatbot that can instantly answer specific questions about your products, provide 24/7 customer support, & engage with website visitors to generate leads. It's all about leveraging AI to create better, more personalized customer experiences.

What we're doing with these Claude workarounds is a peek into the future of work. It’s about having intelligent tools at our fingertips. Whether it's a developer managing a codebase from a cafe or a business using an AI to handle customer queries, the goal is the same: to be more efficient & effective. Platforms like Arsturn are making this level of AI automation accessible to everyone, not just coders. They help businesses build meaningful connections with their audience through these smart, personalized chatbots, which is pretty awesome.

Wrapping It Up

So, there you have it. While a one-click "Claude Code mobile" experience isn't here yet, you are ABSOLUTELY not stuck. With a bit of setup, you can have a surprisingly powerful coding environment right in your pocket. The SSH method is for the power users, the GitHub method is for the workflow masters, & the remote desktop method is for anyone who just needs to get in & out quickly.

The world of AI-driven development is moving incredibly fast, & it's exciting to be a part of it. The lines between our devices & our workflows are blurring, making it possible to be productive from anywhere.

I hope this was helpful! Give one of these setups a try & see how it feels. Let me know what you think, or if you've found an even better way to do it. Happy coding