Web vs CLI: Which Interface is Right for Your Claude Code Workflow
The Real Developer Dilemma
I've been using Claude Code across both interfaces for months while building products. And here's the uncomfortable truth: there's no universal answer.
Most developers I know start with the web. It's intuitive, visual, requires no setup. But after a few weeks, many feel they're giving something up. Speed. Control. The flow they had before.
The reality is these two interfaces don't compete. They complement each other. And knowing when to use each is what separates developers who ship fast from those who feel trapped.
The Web: For Managing Multiple Agents
The Claude web interface is where collaborative magic happens.
Imagine this: you're building a Next.js application with Supabase. You need:
- One agent working on database structure
- Another optimizing React components
- A third configuring API routes
On the web, you can have multiple conversations simultaneously. Switch between tabs. See full context. Compare different approaches without losing continuity.
``` Tab 1: Claude analyzing Supabase schema Tab 2: Claude generating React components Tab 3: Claude writing authentication middleware ```
This is the web's strength. It's where AI becomes your distributed team.
The CLI: For When Speed is Everything
The terminal is different. It's brutal, direct, distraction-free.
When I'm in "shipping mode," I use the CLI. Why? Because every second counts.
In the terminal with Claude Code, your flow is:
```bash clause chat "I need a component that handles form validation"
Claude responds
You copy the code
Paste it in your editor
Next.
```
No interface to navigate. No visual distractions. Just you, Claude, and the problem you're solving.
The CLI is for developers who already know what they want. Who can articulate the problem in one line. Who don't need to see visually how Claude is thinking.
When to Choose the Web
Use the web when:
1. You're exploring a complex problem - You need multiple perspectives from Claude before deciding 2. You're working with a team - You want to share conversations and context with other developers 3. You're building complex prompts - Visualization helps you understand what's happening 4. You need to save history - The web keeps everything organized and accessible 5. You're learning - Seeing Claude's reasoning is educational
In my experience, when mentoring developers, I always start with the web. It's easier to explain "look here" than "type this in the terminal."
When to Choose the CLI
Use the CLI when:
1. You know exactly what you need - Your question is clear and specific 2. You're in rapid iteration mode - You need to make 10 small changes in 20 minutes 3. You're working locally - Your workflow is already in the terminal 4. You want to integrate with scripts - You can pipe Claude's output to other commands 5. You're a power user - You already dominate the terminal and keyboard shortcuts
The CLI is for when the context is already in your head. When you don't need Claude to help you think, just execute.
My Hybrid Workflow (The One That Actually Works)
Here's what I discovered after months using both:
Phase 1 - Exploration (Web) I start on the web when facing a new problem. Ask broad questions. Let Claude show different approaches. Take mental notes.
Phase 2 - Decision (Web) Once I know what I want, I stay on the web but with more specific prompts. Refine. Iterate.
Phase 3 - Execution (CLI) When I have a clear path, I switch to the terminal. Quick questions, quick answers. No unnecessary context.
Phase 4 - Integration (Both) If something breaks, I go back to the web to understand why. Then return to the CLI to execute.
The Real Game Changer
What many developers miss is this:
It's not about web vs CLI. It's about when your brain needs visual help and when it just needs speed.
The web is for when you think out loud. The CLI is for when you've already thought.
Using Claude Code across both interfaces has made me approximately 3x faster than before. But that's not because one is better. It's because I use each at the exact moment it's most effective.
The Question You Should Ask Yourself
Before starting your next project, ask:
Do I need to explore or do I need to execute?
If exploration: web. If execution: CLI. If unsure: web first, CLI after.
Takeaway
Claude Code on the web is your team of thinkers. Claude Code on the CLI is your executor.
The best developers I know don't choose one. They master both and know when to switch.
Next time you open Claude, before typing your question, ask yourself: "Do I need to think this through or do I need to do it?"
Your answer will tell you where to work.
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What about you? Are you more web or CLI? Share your workflow in the comments.