Where to use Claude
Claude shows up in several places. Picking the right surface for the job is half the battle.
The web and desktop app: claude.ai
The main way most people use Claude. Available in your browser at claude.ai and as a desktop app (macOS/Windows) and mobile app.
Best for:
- Everyday writing, analysis, and Q&A.
- Projects: persistent workspaces with their own knowledge and instructions.
- Artifacts: live documents, code, and previews beside the chat.
- Uploading files (PDFs, spreadsheets, images) for Claude to read.
This is where most of this handbook lives. If you're not sure, start here.
The Claude Developer Platform (API)
For developers and teams who want to build Claude into their own software: apps, internal tools, automations, and agents. You call Claude programmatically and pay per token (unit of text).
Best for:
- Custom apps and chatbots.
- High-volume or automated processing.
- Embedding Claude in existing products.
See Connecting Tools for where this fits.
Claude Code
A command-line and IDE-based coding agent that works directly with your codebase and terminal. It can read files, run commands, edit code, and complete multi-step engineering tasks.
Best for:
- Software development and automation.
- Power users comfortable in a terminal.
More in Claude Code.
Inside other tools
Claude is also available embedded in other platforms: for example through cloud providers (AWS, Google Cloud, Microsoft Foundry), productivity suites, and developer tools like Cursor. The skills in this handbook transfer to those surfaces too.
Quick chooser
| Your situation | Use |
|---|---|
| "I want to get work done by chatting" | claude.ai web/desktop |
| "I have a recurring project with its own context" | claude.ai Projects |
| "I'm a developer building a feature" | API / Claude Code |
| "I want Claude inside my editor" | Cursor or another integration |
| "I need to automate a repetitive task" | API + Skills / MCP |
TIP
You can mix surfaces. Many people draft and think in claude.ai, then move proven prompts into automated workflows via the API.
Next: your first conversation.