Claude Code: Anthropic builds Mac app completely around Apfelpatient

Anthropic has fundamentally redesigned the Claude Code experience in its desktop app for Mac. The focus is on parallel sessions, an integrated terminal, and a new automation feature called Routines.

Claude Code has quickly become one of the most widely used AI coding tools – and is in direct competition with OpenAI's Codex, which is also available as a native Mac app. Now, Anthropic has revamped its Claude desktop app for Mac, focusing on professional developer workflows. The update brings features that make Claude Code closer to a fully-fledged development environment.

The previous Claude desktop app was primarily a chat interface with code output. The redesign transforms it into a multi-session workspace where developers can manage multiple tasks simultaneously, edit code directly, and run builds without switching to an external terminal. The update is rolling out immediately to users on Pro, Max, Team, and Enterprise plans.

Claude Code: Parallel sessions and new sidebar

The most noticeable new feature is the sidebar, which displays all active and recently used sessions in one place. Sessions can be filtered by status, project, or environment and grouped by project. This makes it possible to work on multiple codebases simultaneously without losing track of everything.

A new side chat function (Command + ; ) allows you to ask a question about a running task without adding any additional context to the main thread. In practice, this means you can clarify a side question without interrupting or distorting the main workflow.

Integrated terminal and file editor

Anthropic has integrated several developer tools directly into the app. These include a terminal for running tests and builds, a file editor for quick changes, a revamped diff viewer for large changesets, and an enhanced preview window that can display HTML files, PDFs, and local app servers. All areas can be freely rearranged via drag and drop.

Three view modes – Verbose, Normal, and Summary – give developers control over how much of Claude's internal tool activity is visible. Those who want to track every API call use Verbose mode; those who only want to see the result choose Summary.

Routines: Automation without an active session

Alongside the app redesign, Anthropic introduced a new feature called Routines. This allows users to set up Claude code automations that run without an active session. A routine bundles a prompt, a repository, and relevant connectors into a single configuration that can be triggered on a schedule, via an API call, or by a GitHub event such as a new pull request.

Routines run on Anthropic's cloud infrastructure instead of on the local machine. The number of daily runs is limited depending on the plan. This feature is available as a research preview for Pro, Max, Team, and Enterprise users.

Claude Code as a working environment

The update positions Claude Code as a serious alternative not only to OpenAI's Codex, but also to traditional development environments. For Mac users already working within Apple's ecosystem—and potentially using Apple's own AI-powered development tools like Xcode—the market for AI coding assistants is becoming increasingly competitive. With this redesign, Anthropic is sending a clear signal: Claude Code is not intended to remain just a chat tool, but to become the central workspace for AI-driven software development. (Image: Shutterstock / Stockinq)