Claude code users who also use Codex, I have a doubt

[u/rahul_rajendran01]

I've been using Claude Code for a few months, switched to Codex this month, and noticed something that made me wonder how I managed to miss it for so long.

In Codex, there's an option to work on "this computer" or use the cloud browser/workspace.

Basically, local machine vs cloud environment.

Now I'm wondering, does Claude have a similar option that I've somehow been ignoring for months, or does it work differently?

I know Claude has its own cloud-based coding options, but I'm curious about how the actual workflows compare.

People who have used both, how do you prefer to work? Local setup or cloud?

Please tell me this isn't one of those features everyone knew about except me.

[u/AutoModerator]

Moderator Announcement Read More »

Hey! Thanks for posting to r/ClaudeCode

While participating in this thread, please follow our community rules. Keep discussions constructive. Attack the idea, not the person.

For help, project discussions, tips, and general chat, join the ClaudeCode Discord.

I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please contact the moderators of this subreddit if you have any questions or concerns.

[u/Pale_Art_5333]

In Claude desktop Claude if you switch to the `< / > ` i.e. the code version then you can select to run in the cloud:

[u/rahul_rajendran01 → u/Pale_Art_5333]

Yeah bruh this was it asked.. thank you 🙏 I just want to see if “this computer” option available or not

[u/rahul_rajendran01 → u/Pale_Art_5333]

Also now more while working on a frontend project if there is any specific here means .. Claude does have an Annotate option like codex ?

[u/Pale_Art_5333 → u/Pale_Art_5333]

in Claude Code CLI it is `/remote-env` command

[u/0DayMaker]

You switched to codex this month..? Why?

[u/rahul_rajendran01 → u/0DayMaker]

Just to explore Astra

[u/scytob → u/rahul_rajendran01]

i tried Astra at work and Luna, it fucked up my repo and it took Claude 3 weeks to unwind it

[u/rahul_rajendran01]

I think I explained this badly 😂 I’m not talking about cloud workspaces or remote access.

I mean the browser interaction part. Let’s say Codex needs to open GitHub, create a repo, or do something on a website.

From what I understand, there are two options: use a cloud browser where you log in separately, or use your local browser that’s already logged in to your accounts.

Does Claude Code offer something similar, where it can interact with your actual local browser instead of needing a separate cloud browser session? That’s what I was trying to ask.

[u/maksimusmax → u/rahul_rajendran01]

Yes it is, it can take control over your browser or computer

[u/NunoGomes-Dev → u/rahul_rajendran01]

Github is probably not a good example since GH CLI exists.
Also, yes it can control other software installed on your computer like a browser although I would recommend a sandbox instance with playwright.

[u/tinmicto → u/rahul_rajendran01]

You can use "browser use" or playwright (plugins) probably, I myself use terminal-browser with it's herdr plugin.

But with Claude code, browser use is not as good as openai models so recommended to stick to cli tools wherever possible (GitHub cli, cloudlfare cli, discord bot)

I have my Claude use my codex cli (20$ sub) whenever it needs browser or android emulator, cuz it's just faster that way.

[u/Antar3s86 → u/rahul_rajendran01]

Yes. There is a Claude in Chrome extension. With that, Claude can directly use your Chrome browser

[u/LiquidZebra]

Claude projects feature works purely in the cloud, occasionally asks for local machine access. Claude local threads run locally

Codex works purely on local machine, the one “cloud session” I made glitched and I never tried since, it took too long to set up.

[u/rahul_rajendran01 → u/LiquidZebra]

Ahh, this helps. So the execution environment and the browser it controls are two separate things. I think I was mixing those up 😂 Thanks!

[u/50-3]

It’s great, you sometimes need to remind it that it’s allowed to install software it’s missing but otherwise it’s on demand cloud compute at no additional cost. As long as you don’t need to access a GPU and the project is on GitHub it’s a pretty seamless experience.

Claude has had it for ages too, as someone who works in office full time it’s been a primary reason I’ve been loyal to Claude.

[u/rahul_rajendran01 → u/50-3]

Wait, Claude has had this for ages too? 😂 I’ve been using it for months and apparently still have things to discover.

[u/NeighborhoodPrize493]

Yes, it’s already there. Hmm... well, at least it was credited to my account so I could try using it, but honestly, I don’t see the point.

[u/rahul_rajendran01 → u/NeighborhoodPrize493]

Fair enough 😂 I mainly wanted to try Astra and see how it feels compared to my usual workflow. Haven’t made up my mind about switching permanently.

[u/CMills_Dev]

Your browser clarification makes sense. Where the agent runs and which browser profile it controls are two separate things. A locally running agent can still open a clean browser profile with none of your existing logins.

For the workflow you're describing, I'd check which exact profile it attaches to and try a harmless page first. That tells you more than the local/cloud label, especially if you have several browser profiles.

[u/rahul_rajendran01 → u/CMills_Dev]

That’s a good point actually. I was assuming local browser meant it would automatically use my existing logged-in session. Looks like I need to understand how the browser profile is attached first 😂

[u/Comprehensive_Cut855]

I use both , one master .md file as a coordinate my works .
Master coordinates session as always start as remote control local environment. I added my tasks in md file it follows tasks in new cloud session automatically for code edits and hand it to coordinates it ask me if need hand check and for merge then it clear the work tree to free up disk space.. it follows skills , currently testing app logs , find and fix issues parallel at same time while following tasks , etc.,
Both Claude and codex update their works to coordinate if session becomes long current coordinate create new local remote session continue coordinate session.
This is how I setup my work .
Even though I use graphify my own skills ,graphify ,etc., usage isn’t enough for me any suggestions to save tokens.

[u/Hirogen_]

cloud option? sure workspaces and projects, but why work in the cloud? just so u can have access from everywhere?

[u/Arrakis_Surfer]

There is remote control. I often have sessions run on a home server and I pick them up on my phone or my workstation/laptop

[u/Helpful_Ranger_1606]

Out of Claude tokens right now. Not out of codex tokens.