# Claude Code on the web: how cloud sessions work

The same agent, on Anthropic's machines instead of yours. Where it runs, what it can reach, and what it can't do yet.

Published 2026-10-07 by Richard Kaminsky and Mitchell Lipyansky, the co-founders of Poly. Canonical: https://usepoly.co/claude-code-on-the-web
Poly is a multiplayer AI coding workspace: a shared room where your team works with one AI agent, together. Free to start: https://usepoly.co/

**Claude Code on the web runs Claude Code in a virtual machine on Anthropic's servers instead of on your computer. You start a session at claude.ai/code, in the Claude app's Code tab, in the desktop app by choosing Cloud, or from your terminal with claude --cloud; Claude clones your GitHub repository, works on a branch and can open a pull request. Anthropic now calls these cloud sessions. They have been generally available since September 23, 2026 on Pro, Max and Team and on Enterprise seats that include Claude Code, with no charge beyond your plan's usage limits.**

## Key takeaways

- Launched as a research preview on October 20, 2025, and generally available since September 23, 2026.
- There's no separate charge for the machine; cloud sessions share your plan's usage limits.
- Only GitHub repositories can be cloned and get pull requests; GitLab and Bitbucket code can only be uploaded, with no way to push back.
- Cloud sessions pre-approve file edits: you choose Accept edits, Plan or Auto, and there is no ask-every-time mode.
- Ultraplan, the cloud planning preview, was removed in August 2026.

*Claude Code on your computer and in a cloud session, from Anthropic's docs, October 7, 2026.*

|  | On your computer | Cloud session |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Where it runs | Your machine | An Anthropic virtual machine (Ubuntu 24.04) |
| Start from | Terminal, IDE, desktop app | claude.ai/code, the Claude app, the desktop app, claude --cloud |
| Repositories | Any | GitHub; GitHub Enterprise Server on Team and Enterprise |
| Keeps working when you close your laptop | No | Yes |
| Permission modes | All, including asking before each edit | Accept edits, Plan, Auto |
| MCP servers | Local and remote | The repository's .mcp.json and claude.ai connectors |
| Plugins | Yes | Only organization-managed ones |
| Cost | Plan usage | Plan usage; no charge for the machine |

## How do you start a cloud session?

- **In the browser** at claude.ai/code.
- **On your phone** in the Code tab of the Claude app.
- **In the desktop app,** by choosing Cloud instead of Local for a new session.
- **From the terminal** with `claude --cloud "Fix the authentication bug"`. The older `--remote` flag still works as an alias.

Each task gets its own session and branch. You review the diff, comment on lines, and create a pull request, as a draft if you like. With the Claude GitHub App installed, Claude can also watch CI and review comments and fix what they flag ([docs](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/claude-code-on-the-web)).

## What happens inside a cloud session?

Every session gets a fresh virtual machine running Ubuntu 24.04 ([docs](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/cloud-environments)). You configure its environment:

- **Network access:** None, Trusted (the default, which allows package registries, GitHub and cloud SDKs), Full or Custom.
- **A setup script** that installs what your project needs; its result is cached for later sessions.
- **Environment variables,** readable by anyone who uses the environment. On Pro and Max, API keys can instead be added as credentials that a proxy attaches, so the key never enters the machine.

Your GitHub credentials stay on Anthropic's servers and never enter the virtual machine.

## Does Claude Code on the web support GitLab?

No. Cloning a repository and creating pull requests require GitHub; self-hosted GitHub Enterprise Server works on Team and Enterprise. Code from GitLab, Bitbucket or another host can be uploaded to a session as a bundle, but the session can't push back to it. Anthropic's GitLab support so far covers the terminal version only.

## Which MCP servers, skills and plugins work?

- **MCP:** the repository's `.mcp.json` loads in single-repository sessions, and your claude.ai connectors work. Servers you added locally with `claude mcp add` don't.
- **Skills:** the repository's `.claude/skills/`, agents and commands load, plus skills enabled on your claude.ai account. Your personal `~/.claude` folder doesn't come across.
- **Plugins:** don't load, except plugins your organization distributes through managed settings.
- **Hooks:** the repository's hooks run in single-repository sessions; your personal hooks don't.

## How much does Claude Code on the web cost?

Nothing extra. Cloud sessions share your plan's limits with chat and local Claude Code, and running several tasks in parallel uses those limits in proportion. Past the limits, usage credits keep you going ([Claude Code usage limits](/claude-code-usage-limits)). The plans: Pro at $20 a month ($17 billed annually), Max from $100, Team from $20 a seat, and Enterprise at $20 a seat plus usage at API rates.

It isn't available on the free plan, for organizations using zero data retention or Anthropic's HIPAA configuration, or through Amazon Bedrock, Google Cloud or Microsoft Foundry.

## How do approvals work in a cloud session?

Differently from your terminal. Anthropic's docs say cloud sessions "pre-approve file edits regardless of mode," so the choice is Accept edits, Plan or Auto, with no mode that asks before every edit ([docs](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/permission-modes)). Plan mode is the way to review an approach before Claude starts. The rest of the review happens on the diff and the pull request.

## Moving between the web and your terminal

- **Cloud to terminal:** `claude --teleport` or `/teleport` pulls a cloud session into your terminal as a local copy.
- **Terminal to cloud:** `claude --cloud` starts a new cloud session. You can't push an existing terminal session to the cloud from the command line, though the desktop app can.
- **Remote Control** is different: it lets you drive a session running on your own computer from the web or your phone.

## What happened to Ultraplan?

Anthropic removed it in August 2026. Ultraplan, a research preview since April, drafted a plan in a cloud session that you could comment on in the browser. The `/ultraplan` command, its keyword and the option to refine a plan with it are gone; Anthropic points to plan mode locally, or a cloud session, instead ([docs](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/ultraplan)).

## Related: routines and projects

- **Routines,** a research preview, run Claude Code on a schedule, from an API call or on GitHub events; every run is a cloud session.
- **Projects,** in beta on Pro and Max, use a coordinating conversation that starts parallel cloud threads, each on its own branch, with shared project memory ([docs](https://code.claude.com/docs/en/claude-projects)).

## Can you share a cloud session?

Yes, as a link. Team and Enterprise choose private or team visibility; Pro and Max choose private or public. Recipients see the latest state when they open it, and Anthropic notes their view doesn't update in real time. More in [How do you share a Claude Code session?](/share-claude-code-session)

## How does it compare with Codex cloud?

OpenAI's Codex runs cloud tasks too, on ChatGPT Plus, Pro, Business and Enterprise, with similar environment setup, internet controls and GitHub repositories. Cloud tasks draw on the same allowance as local work, at a higher rate. More in [Claude Code vs Codex](/claude-code-vs-codex).

## When a team wants to steer the session

A cloud session belongs to the person who started it, runs with edits pre-approved, and is shared afterwards as a snapshot. Poly (usepoly.co) runs Claude Code in an isolated cloud sandbox too, but in a room the whole team can see live: the agent asks before it acts, and any member can approve a change or undo it. Free to start. [What is Poly?](/what-is-poly)

## Common questions

**What is Claude Code on the web?**

Claude Code running in a virtual machine on Anthropic's servers, started from claude.ai/code, the Claude app, the desktop app or claude --cloud. It clones your GitHub repository, works on a branch and can open a pull request.

**Is Claude Code on the web free?**

It costs nothing beyond your plan, but it needs Pro, Max, Team or an Enterprise seat with Claude Code. Cloud sessions share your plan's usage limits.

**Does Claude Code on the web work with GitLab?**

Not fully. Cloning and pull requests require GitHub. Code from GitLab or Bitbucket can be uploaded to a session, but the session can't push back to it.

**Can I use MCP servers in Claude Code on the web?**

Yes, the ones in your repository's .mcp.json and your claude.ai connectors. Servers you added locally with claude mcp add don't load in cloud sessions.

**What happened to Ultraplan?**

Anthropic removed the Ultraplan research preview in August 2026. For planning, it points to plan mode in your terminal or a cloud session.

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