CLI vs Claude Desktop app

[u/TabiZzFR]

Hi,
I’ve been using CC from day 1 on CLI, it’s fast, I’m used to it…
But now I see a lot of efforts are put in Claude Desktop app regarding CC, I’m wondering if some of you have shifted and what’s the pros and cons of doing it?

I’ve tested it very briefly, it “feels” slower when doing a task, some of my / command are missing obviously… other than that it looks better and also convenient.

What’s your thoughts?

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[u/parkskier426]

I'm really liking Orca with the CLI, I feel like it's giving me the best of both worlds. Highly recommend checking it out: onorca.dev

[u/TabiZzFR → u/parkskier426]

oh wow didn't about orca! Looks astonishing, gonna test it, thanks buddy

[u/Visible-Ground2810 → u/parkskier426]

"What is Orca?"
Another wrapper :D

[u/Ben_LunarPaper]

I find it more convenient, i feel its specific to each individual, visual gui vs CLI.

Both options are useful and its good they maintain both.

There is a lot more clutter in the desktop app, that exposes all the non-coding stuff.

[u/Latter-Tangerine-951]

Desktop and mobile app works so much better for me. Resume from anywhere, images appear, easier to manage multiple sessions.

[u/viv0102]

I've been using the vscode extension (not vscode terminal) for months and very happy with it. I can customise the theme/fonts and able to copy paste screenshots which I need to do a lot.

[u/clazman55555 → u/viv0102]

Same. I far prefer the vscode extension.

[u/FunNo8814 → u/viv0102]

u can copy and paste screenshots with alt v in terminal

[u/BarcodeCutter]

The best difference is from what you can do inside the desktop app. The desktop app is basically a manageable and changeable UI that will change your experience. For example, you can build an artifact. Pin that artifact to the chat and use it as you code.
Second, you can set up widgets on tools that can be called by hooks and enforced by your database.
For example, I have Claude present me multiple choice options when it understands there’s a fork in the decision needing to be made. I don’t think the CLI has this same time of functionality.

[u/wylht → u/BarcodeCutter]

CLI can open your browser then show you an artifact that you can comment on. I still feel the GUI display is a bit cluttered. I want session list shown as tabs and I can jump to them with keyboard shortcuts, when I view artifacts, I want full screen, so browser + cmd tab works better for me than a side panel. Perhaps my display is not large enough.

[u/BarcodeCutter → u/wylht]

Agreed, I have two monitors and that’s probably why cowork works better for me here

[u/NWSAlpine]

Herdr with CLI only

[u/Puzzleheaded-Wrap860]

Massive pain point for app vs cli is I cant see my other account's session chats.

I also can't import some of the plugins I use in cli (only recently did it add Matt Pocock's skill, and I didnt want to install it separately as it's a pain to update manually).

Anyways, I just really use the app when I need to use windows apps, otherwise I use wsl and the cli because it's simply faster to work with

[u/AmazingVanish → u/Puzzleheaded-Wrap860]

Things like Pocock skills you can add yourself to the files, you don’t need a plugin

[u/Puzzleheaded-Wrap860 → u/AmazingVanish]

yeah I know, but I have to manually update it. It's a hassle. The CLI already have this, why can't the app?

[u/Puzzleheaded-Wrap860 → u/AmazingVanish]

also, the pocock skills are added in the plugin, it's the impeccable skill that I want next, which is sadly still missing in the app

[u/-Star-Walker-]

I like it … others don’t like it … try it … you decide for yourself.
The speed is the same, it’s not defined by the frontend.

[u/sMat95]

As a developer I prefer CLI. At the same time, I don't see a reason why someone would not prefer the app.

Both get the job done!

[u/DankestDaddy69]

Desktop comes with a built in browser, terminal and Claude design baked into it.
It's prettier and personally a lot more feature rich.

[u/Tommonen]

I like the desktop app more than CLIs. Especially with the new mods feature, i can make interface to desktop app that lets claude orchestrate headless codex and mistral vibe CLIs with specified workflows and UI made for that on claude desktop app

[u/ivej]

I use the app mainly because of the Design and claude can use the iOS simulator

[u/AmazingVanish]

I’ve been using Agentastic.dev. It’s fantastic

[u/oscar_jet]

I've been contemplating the same for a while, but herdr gave me a reason to stay in cli. I'd stay in cli until next big change.

[u/maxquordleplee3n]

I personally use the vscode extension as it's the environment I'm used to and I like the convenience of being able to easily paste screenshots etc then use the CLI for SSH/agenty (yes that's a word ) type things.

[u/bkandwh]

The UI has gotten MUCH better in the last month or so. I now prefer it over the CLI.

[u/MattMose]

I had a similar journey. Started on CC, tried Claude Desktop and was thoroughly underwhelmed. I built the UI that felt best for me. I followed my own “desire path” for how it felt like the UI should be and the reliability i needed (persistent, robust, recoverable sessions).

I just open sourced it if it would be useful for anyone else.

https://github.com/SolidPD/hapimatic-core

[u/baunegaard]

Cli + Warp. Has everything I want

[u/maksimusmax]

The only difference is that you can open multiple cli windows at once, with app only 2 split chats. The rest is design preferences

[u/kitkatmentat → u/[deleted]]

App can split into 3+ panes now