Installation Overview
Not sure which installation option to use? Start here. A quick guide to the three ways to run CloudCLI UI and when to use each one.
There are several ways to run CloudCLI UI depending on how you work. This page helps you pick the right one.
CloudCLI UI is a self-hostable web interface for Claude Code and Cursor that lets you manage coding sessions, browse files, and run agents from any browser. It is the same open-source codebase that powers CloudCLI Cloud — the difference is where the process runs: on your laptop, on a server you control, or on infrastructure we host for you.
Before installing, check the Prerequisites.
Options at a Glance
| Option | Best for | Setup |
|---|---|---|
| Quick Start (npx) | Trying it out | npx @siteboon/claude-code-ui |
| Install via npm | Daily use from your machine | npm install -g @siteboon/claude-code-ui |
| Install via npm + PM2 | Always-on UI on your local network | PM2 process manager |
| Local Development | Contributing or testing unreleased features | git clone + npm run dev |
| Remote Server | Access from anywhere without keeping your laptop on | VPS or cloud server |
Choosing the right option
Every install path starts the same web UI — the tradeoffs are about where the process runs and how long it stays up.
- You just want to try it. Run
npx @siteboon/claude-code-uifrom any directory with Node.js installed. No persistent install, no background processes — close the terminal and it is gone. Good for a five-minute look. - You use it daily. Install globally with
npm install -g @siteboon/claude-code-uiand launch with a single command. Updates vianpm update -g. - You want it always on. Install globally, then wrap it with PM2 so it survives reboots and crashes. This is the best option if you keep long-running sessions open overnight or want teammates on the same LAN to reach your UI.
- You want to contribute or preview unreleased features. Clone the repo from GitHub and run
npm run dev— you will get hot reload, can submit PRs, and run ahead of the npm release cadence. - You want access from anywhere. Install on a VPS (DigitalOcean, Hetzner, Linode, etc.), configure HTTPS, and access the UI from any device without keeping your laptop on. This is the closest self-hosted equivalent to CloudCLI Cloud.
After you install
- The UI starts on
http://localhost:3001by default. - It auto-discovers Claude Code sessions under
~/.claude/projectsand lists them in the sidebar. - Open it in your browser and start a new session, or continue an existing one.
- Tune behaviour via environment variables — see Environment Variables.
Switching between install methods
You can safely run different install methods in parallel (e.g. global install for daily work + a development clone for feature testing) as long as they listen on different ports — set PORT=3001 for one and PORT=3002 for the other in each .env.
Not sure which to pick?
Start with Quick Start. If you use it daily, move to Install via npm. If you want it running without keeping a terminal open, add PM2. If you want to access CloudCLI from any device without managing a server at all, see CloudCLI Cloud.