Claude Code on a small rented server, driven from your phone
Claude Code runs on a cheap Linux VPS, so your laptop can be closed. Your phone connects through the Claude app's Remote Control. Server prices change, so check with your provider; budget plans are often around $5/month.
You need
- A Linux VPS from any provider
- A Claude Pro, Max, Team or Enterprise plan. Remote Control doesn't support API keys.
- The Claude app on iOS or Android
- SSH into the server and install Claude Code using Anthropic's install instructions.
- Install tmux, start a session with
tmux new -s agents, thencdinto your project. - Run
claude, then/loginto sign in with your claude.ai account. - Run
claude remote-control(server mode). Press space to show a QR code, then scan it with your phone. - Detach from tmux with
Ctrl-b d. The session keeps running after you disconnect from SSH; Anthropic's docs recommend tmux or screen for this. - Optional: in
/config, turn on "Push when actions required" to get permission prompts as notifications.
Things to know
- While Remote Control is connected, Anthropic's servers store the transcript.
- In server mode, if the network is down for about 10 minutes the process exits and you have to start it again.
- Lock down the server: SSH keys only, firewall on. Remote Control only makes outbound connections, so you don't need to open any inbound ports for it.