Remote Control connects your local Claude Code session to claude.ai/code or the Claude app for iOS and Android. The process stays on your machine — your phone is just a window into that session. Start a task on your laptop terminal, walk out the door, and keep giving Claude instructions from the bus. That simple.
TL;DR
claude --rcor/rcin an active session. Scan the QR code with your phone. Keep working from anywhere. The original terminal must stay open.
Result:
> claude --rc "Refactor API"
Remote Control session started
Session URL: https://claude.ai/code/session/abc123
Press spacebar to show QR code
╭──────────────────────────────────────╮
│ Remote Control: Refactor API │
│ Status: Online │
│ Connected devices: 1 │
╰──────────────────────────────────────╯
How to use it
1. New session with Remote Control
# Interactive session with remote access
claude --rc
# With a custom name
claude --rc "Refactor API"
Opens a normal terminal session that's also accessible from your phone or any browser.
2. Enable on an existing session
If you're already working with Claude:
/rc
Carries over your full conversation. Shows URL and QR code to connect.
3. Server mode
# No local interaction, only serves remote connections
claude remote-control --name "Backend" --spawn worktree
In server mode, each remote connection can spin up its own worktree (requires a git repository). Supports up to 32 concurrent sessions.
4. Connect from another device
- QR code: in server mode, press spacebar to show the QR. With
/rc, it appears automatically. Scan with your phone - Direct URL: copy the session URL into any browser
- Session list: find it by name in claude.ai/code or the Claude app (computer icon with green dot = online)
5. What you need to know
The original terminal must stay open. If you close it or stop the process, the session ends. If your laptop sleeps, the session reconnects automatically when it wakes up — but if it loses network for more than ~10 minutes while awake, the session times out and the process exits. You'll need to run the command again.
Reference
| Command | What it does |
|---|---|
claude --rc |
Interactive session + Remote Control |
/rc |
Enable Remote Control on an existing session |
claude remote-control |
Server mode (remote connections only) |
--name "Name" |
Visible name in the session list (server mode) |
--spawn worktree |
Each remote session in its own worktree (server mode) |
--capacity <N> |
Max concurrent sessions, default: 32 (server mode) |
| Detail | Value |
|---|---|
| Original terminal | Must stay open |
| Laptop sleep | Auto-reconnects on wake |
| Timeout | ~10 min without network (while awake). Process exits. |
| Security | Outbound HTTPS only, no open ports |
| Sync | Bidirectional — terminal, browser, and phone in parallel |
| Plans | All plans. Team/Enterprise admins must enable Claude Code first. |
| Min version | v2.1.51+ |
Official docs: Remote Control
Requirements
- Available on all plans (API keys not supported). Team and Enterprise admins must enable Claude Code in admin settings.
- Claude Code v2.1.51 or later
- Claude app for iOS or Android (optional — also works from any browser)