Agentastic vs Claude Code Desktop
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Claude Code Desktop is the Code tab of Anthropic's Claude app for macOS and Windows, with a Linux beta. It runs parallel Claude sessions with an optional git worktree each, a browser pane where Claude checks its own changes, visual diff review, pull request monitoring, and local, cloud, or SSH environments, on a paid Claude plan. Agentastic is a native macOS workspace that runs the Claude Code CLI with your existing login, settings, hooks, and MCP servers, next to Codex, Gemini CLI, and 50 other agents, each in a worktree, container, SSH host, or cloud VM on your own account. If Claude is your only agent, Anthropic's app is the simplest choice.
Who should choose each option
Agentastic
Choose Agentastic if Claude Code is one of several agents you run, or you want real terminals, containers, SSH hosts, and cloud VMs on your own accounts, plus review passes from other vendors, in a free Mac app.
Claude Code Desktop
Choose Claude Code Desktop if Claude is your only agent and you want Anthropic's first-party app on macOS, Windows, or Linux, with cloud sessions, computer use, and Dispatch from your phone.
Feature comparison
| Agentastic | Claude Code Desktop | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | Native macOS workspace for many CLI agents | The Code tab of Anthropic's Claude desktop app |
| Platforms | macOS 14+ (Apple Silicon and Intel) | macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel), Windows x64 and ARM64, Linux beta (Ubuntu and Debian) |
| Agents | Claude Code plus 54 other built-in definitions | Claude only |
| How Claude runs | The Claude Code CLI in a Ghostty terminal, or as structured Chat | Sessions in the app, reading the same settings files as the CLI |
| Parallel isolation | Worktree per task by default; Docker or Apple container, SSH host, or cloud VM | Worktree option per session; Local, Cloud, SSH, or WSL environment |
| Browser | Agents drive the built-in browser with the dev browser CLI; Design Mode; Share Live Preview | Browser pane where Claude previews and checks its changes |
| Review | Diff viewer, line comments, and Codex, CodeRabbit, Greptile, or Claude review passes | Visual diff review and pull request monitoring |
| Cloud runs | Modal, Fly.io, or Vercel Sandbox on your own account | Anthropic cloud sessions that count toward your plan limits |
| Phone | iPhone app in public beta on TestFlight (iOS 18+), end-to-end encrypted to your Mac | Dispatch starts sessions from your phone (Pro and Max) |
| Price | Free app; Claude Code uses your Claude plan or API key | Requires Claude Pro, Max, Team, or Enterprise |
Pricing
Agentastic
Free. Claude Code inside Agentastic signs in with your existing Claude plan or API key, and other agents use their own accounts.
Claude Code Desktop
Included with paid Claude plans: Pro ($20 a month, or $17 billed annually), Max (from $100 a month), Team, and Enterprise. Cloud sessions count toward your plan limits, with no separate compute charge.
Using them together
They read the same Claude Code configuration, so you can use both. Keep Claude Code Desktop for cloud sessions and Dispatch, and run Claude Code in Agentastic when you want it in parallel with Codex or other agents, in containers, or on your own SSH hosts.
Frequently asked questions
What is Claude Code Desktop?
It is the Code tab of the Claude desktop app, next to Chat and Cowork (docs). It runs Claude Code sessions with a visual interface: parallel sessions, diffs, a browser pane, and local, cloud, or SSH environments.
Can Claude Code Desktop run parallel sessions?
Yes. Start new sessions from the sidebar and pick the worktree option so each one gets its own checkout under .claude/worktrees. Agentastic does the same for every task automatically, for Claude Code and any other agent.
Is Claude Code Desktop free?
No. It needs a paid Claude plan: Pro, Max, Team, or Enterprise. Agentastic is free, but Claude Code inside it still uses your Claude plan or an API key.
Does Claude Code Desktop run on Linux?
Yes, as a beta for Ubuntu 22.04 or later and Debian 12 or later, installed with apt (Linux guide). Agentastic runs only on macOS.
Claude Code Desktop vs CLI: what changes?
Both run the same agent and read the same settings, so hooks, skills, and MCP servers carry over. The desktop app adds visual sessions, diffs, and a browser pane; the CLI adds scripting and runs anywhere. See Claude Code Desktop vs CLI.
Can I use Codex or other agents in Claude Code Desktop?
No, Anthropic's app runs Claude sessions only. Agentastic runs Claude Code next to Codex, Gemini CLI, and other agents, so you can compare them on the same task.
What is the best Claude Code Desktop alternative?
For Mac users running several agents, Agentastic; Conductor, Nimbalyst, Superset, and Orca are other options. See the best Claude Code GUIs for a full comparison.
Further reading
- Claude Code Desktop vs CLI — parallel sessions, worktrees, permissions, and platforms
- Best Claude Code GUI apps for Mac — ten options compared
- Claude Code on iPhone — Remote Control, Dispatch, Agentastic Companion, and more
- Run multiple Claude Code agents in parallel — the practical setup
See also
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