Claude Code desktop app

An open-source Claude Code desktop app for the way developers actually work.

Nimbalyst is a Claude Code desktop app for macOS, Windows, and Linux with visual editors, kanban session management, optional one-click git worktree isolation per session, and an iOS companion. Free for individuals. Open desktop app, bring your own Claude subscription.

Download

Works with your existing Claude Code and Codex subscription or API key

Other downloads: Apple Silicon Mac Intel Mac Windows Linux

Claude Code is a CLI. You want a desktop app for it.

Claude Code ships as a terminal binary. For single-session work, that is fine. For real development across many sessions, with diffs to review, plans to track, and mockups to iterate, the terminal is not enough. You want a Claude Code desktop app.

Nimbalyst is that app. It runs the actual Claude Code agent underneath, on macOS, Windows, and Linux, with visual editors, a session kanban board, optional one-click worktree isolation per session, and an iOS companion. The desktop app is open source, free for individuals, and you keep using your existing Claude subscription or API key.

If you are specifically looking for Claude Code session management to run concurrent sessions, our full Claude Code session manager comparison reviews the dedicated tools side by side.

Why Nimbalyst

What a Claude Code desktop app should do

Multi-tab visual workspace

Multi-tab visual workspace

Markdown, code, mockups, diagrams, and data models all in one app. Claude Code drives them all.

Kanban board for sessions

Kanban board for sessions

Run six parallel Claude Code sessions and see them all on one screen. Phases, tags, worktrees.

Inline diff review

Inline diff review

Approve or reject every Claude Code change file by file, across markdown, mockups, diagrams, and code.

iOS companion app

iOS companion app

Monitor sessions, review diffs, and respond to agent questions from your phone.

Comparison

Nimbalyst vs other Claude Code desktop apps

Feature Other Claude Code apps Nimbalyst
Platforms Varies macOS, Windows, Linux, iOS
Parallel sessions Often single 6+ on kanban
Visual editors (markdown, mockups, diagrams) Rare Built in
Git worktree isolation Manual Optional one-click per session
Mobile companion Rare iOS app
Open source Mixed MIT (desktop and iOS apps)
Price Mixed Free for individuals

FAQ

Frequently asked questions

Is there an official Claude Code desktop app?
Yes. Anthropic ships official Claude Code surfaces inside Claude Desktop and VS Code. They cover the core use case well. If you want multi-session work, structured review, or visual planning around the agent, a workspace like Nimbalyst goes further.
What is the best free Claude Code desktop app?
Nimbalyst is the most complete free Claude Code desktop app. It is free for individuals, the desktop and iOS apps are MIT licensed, and it includes parallel session management, visual editors, optional one-click git worktree isolation per session, and an iOS companion app.
Does Nimbalyst run on Linux?
Yes. Nimbalyst runs on macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel), Windows, and Linux. The same Claude Code support and same visual workspace, regardless of OS.
Do I need an Anthropic subscription to use Nimbalyst?
Yes, to run Claude Code itself you need an Anthropic API key or a Claude Pro or Max subscription. Nimbalyst is the desktop app. Your model access is separate. The same key or subscription that runs the Claude Code CLI runs Nimbalyst.
Can Nimbalyst run Codex sessions too?
Yes. Nimbalyst supports Codex (by OpenAI) alongside Claude Code. Run sessions side by side with the same kanban, worktree isolation, and inline diff review. Both engines feed the same workspace.

Learn More

Related guides and comparisons

What is a Claude Code workspace?

The definitional reference for the workspace category around Claude Code.

Is there a Claude Code IDE?

Anthropic does not ship a dedicated IDE. Here's what exists and what to use instead.

Best Claude Code Session Manager (2026)

Side-by-side review of Claude Code session manager tools for concurrent sessions.

Best Claude Code GUI Tools (2026)

A comprehensive comparison of every Claude Code GUI on the market.

Claude Code GUI & Workspace

What a workspace adds beyond a chat-style GUI.

Visual Editor for Claude Code

Inline AI diffs across markdown, mockups, diagrams, code, and data models.

Kanban for Claude Code

Run multiple Claude Code sessions on a kanban board with phases and worktrees.

Parallel Claude Code Sessions

Run six or more Claude Code sessions in parallel with optional one-click worktree isolation per session.

Codex GUI & Workspace

The visual workspace for building with OpenAI Codex.

Nimbalyst vs Claude Code

The broader comparison: official Claude agent vs multi-agent visual workspace.

Nimbalyst vs Claude Code Desktop

Detailed side-by-side comparison of features, workflows, and tradeoffs.

Nimbalyst vs Claude Code CLI

Side by side: visual workspace vs the bare terminal agent.

Agent Harness for Claude Code and Codex

The durable workflow layer around Claude Code, Codex, context, review, and coordination.

Nimbalyst vs Opcode (formerly Claudia)

How Nimbalyst compares to the most popular open-source Claude Code GUI.

Session Management

Deep dive into multi-session kanban, search, and parallel agent orchestration.

Download Nimbalyst

Get the Claude Code desktop app for your operating system.

Nimbalyst is the open-source visual workspace for building with Codex, Claude Code, and more

Download

Works with your existing Claude Code and Codex subscription or API key

Other downloads: Apple Silicon Mac Intel Mac Windows Linux