MXterm vs Claude Code Desktop: the Claude Desktop app or a pane workspace
People search for "Claude Code Desktop", and Anthropic's docs put Claude Code in the Claude Desktop app as its Code tab. MXterm Pro is a different kind of tool: it runs the Claude Code you install, in a real terminal pane, next to other agents and shells. This comparison puts Anthropic's own words next to MXterm's, then shows when to stay with the Claude Desktop app.
What Anthropic says it is
Anthropic's desktop documentation says: "In the Claude Desktop app, Claude Code is the Code tab." (code.claude.com/docs/en/desktop, read 28 October 2026.) Its download page says: "Claude Code runs directly in the desktop app." (claude.com/download, read 28 October 2026.) Anthropic's overview describes Claude Code as "an agentic coding tool that reads your codebase, edits files, runs commands, and integrates with your development tools." (code.claude.com/docs/en/overview, read 28 October 2026.)
The desktop documentation describes parallel sessions, panes for chat, diffs, a browser, a terminal and files, and local, SSH and cloud environments. The overview lists macOS and Windows downloads for the desktop app.
What MXterm is
MXterm Pro is a native desktop app for macOS and Windows that puts your real terminals, your AI coding agents and your SSH servers in one workspace. It runs the CLIs you install, such as Claude Code and Codex. Each agent can work on its own branch in its own worktree. For a walkthrough, see running Claude Code in MXterm and isolating AI agents with git worktrees.
Side by side
| Claude Desktop app (Anthropic's words, read 28 Oct 2026) | MXterm | |
|---|---|---|
| What it is | "In the Claude Desktop app, Claude Code is the Code tab." (docs) | "One command center for terminals, agents and servers." |
| Which agents | The docs describe Claude Code in the Code tab. | Runs the CLIs you install, such as Claude Code and Codex. |
| Keeping sessions apart | "By default, Worktree is off and Claude works in the project folder itself." (docs); turn it on before a session to run it in its own Git worktree | Each agent can work on its own branch in its own worktree. |
| Platforms | macOS and Windows downloads (overview) | A native desktop app for macOS and Windows (Windows support is new); Linux is an early build (a .deb for Ubuntu 22.04 or later). We have not run this build on a real Linux desktop. |
| Where it runs | The docs describe local, SSH and cloud environments. | SSH and an SFTP panel in the same window as your agents. |
| Around the agent | The docs describe panes for chat, diffs, a browser, a terminal and files. | With Claude Code and Codex, see which agent is working, waiting or done, and a question from either appears on a card on your desktop. Put your agents in one room and stay in charge. |
| Licence of the repository | The Claude Code repository's licence notice reads "© Anthropic PBC. All rights reserved." (github.com/anthropics/claude-code) | See the note under the table. |
On the licence row: MXterm's own licence terms are on its pages and are not covered here; this page makes no claim about them. The two columns describe different things, so they are not feature-for-feature. A blank or short cell in one column does not mean the other tool lacks the thing; it means that page of that tool was not read for it.
Stay with the Claude Desktop app if
- You want Claude Code inside the Claude Desktop app, as its Code tab, from Anthropic itself.
- You want the panes the docs describe for chat, diffs, a browser, a terminal and files inside that app.
- You want to choose between local, SSH and cloud environments from the app, as its docs describe.
- You want Claude Code sessions in their own Git worktrees and are happy to turn the Worktree option on per session, as the docs describe.
Choose MXterm if
- You want Claude Code in a real terminal pane, with a plain shell for your tests in a split pane beside it.
- You want other agents next to it in the same workspace, such as Codex.
- You want to see, for Claude Code and Codex, which agent is working, waiting or done, and to answer their questions from a card on your desktop.
- You want agents in one room: in the Control Room they message each other and you are the Moderator. Messages wait while you type.
- You want SSH hosts and an SFTP panel in the same window as your agents.
To try MXterm, use the download page. To compare with another tool, see MXterm vs the ChatGPT desktop app with Codex and MXterm vs Orca. For more coding agents, see best AI coding agents in 2026.
Multi-pane SSH, Command Recipes (Cmd+J), and a multi-agent Control Room (formerly War Room): free to start.
Already have MXterm Pro? Read the setup guide →
New to MXterm Pro? See pricing →
Frequently Asked Questions
Anthropic does not use that name for the app. Its docs say "In the Claude Desktop app, Claude Code is the Code tab." (code.claude.com/docs/en/desktop, read 28 October 2026.)
Anthropic's desktop docs describe a terminal among the panes in the app. Whether that covers your needs is for you to judge; this page makes no claim either way. In MXterm, a pane is a real shell, so you can keep a plain shell in a split pane beside Claude Code. (code.claude.com/docs/en/desktop, read 28 October 2026.)
In MXterm, yes: it runs the CLIs you install, such as Claude Code and Codex, in separate panes of the same workspace. What the Claude Desktop app does for other agents is not covered here.
Anthropic's docs say "By default, Worktree is off and Claude works in the project folder itself", and describe turning Worktree on before a session in a Git repository. In MXterm, each agent can work on its own branch in its own worktree. A worktree reduces collisions; agents can still edit the same file. (code.claude.com/docs/en/desktop, read 28 October 2026.)
If you want Claude Code as a tab inside Anthropic's own desktop app, start with the Claude Desktop app. If you want a real terminal pane for Claude Code, other agents beside it, SSH and an SFTP panel, and a Control Room where agents message each other, try MXterm.