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Choose local Claude Code when the work needs your development machine’s environment; choose a cloud session when it needs to keep running after you close your laptop. If your organization requires execution on infrastructure it controls, Anthropic’s self-hosted cloud environments add that option—with setup and maintenance to own.
Where does each Claude Code workflow run?
Local Claude Code
Local Claude Code runs on a developer’s machine, using the environment available there. Anthropic’s setup documentation describes installing and starting it on a development machine. “Local” describes where the client and project work run; it does not mean the workflow is offline. The setup documentation says network access is needed for authentication and AI processing.
The same setup page lists macOS 10.15 or later, Ubuntu 20.04 or later, Debian 10 or later, or Windows 10 or later with WSL or Git for Windows; 4 GB or more of RAM; and Node.js 18 or later for its documented installation route. Those requirements come from an older-indexed page, so check the current instructions before relying on them.
Anthropic-hosted cloud sessions
A cloud session runs on remote infrastructure rather than the developer’s machine. The cloud workflow documentation says a session can continue after the laptop is closed and can be checked or steered from another device. It lists browser, mobile app, desktop app, terminal, and routines as entry points. Cloud work uses the session’s configured cloud environment; do not assume it can automatically read arbitrary files on your computer.
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The surfaced documentation lists availability for Pro, Max, and Team plans, and Enterprise users with premium seats or Chat + Claude Code seats. Plans and eligibility can change, so verify current availability in Anthropic’s product documentation before choosing a workflow.
Self-hosted cloud environments
Anthropic announced self-hosted environments in public beta on August 6, 2026. Its announcement says sessions can run on an organization’s infrastructure, inside its network and alongside internal services, toolchains, and security controls. It lists web, mobile, desktop, and routines as ways to start a session.
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This is distinct from Anthropic hosting the cloud environment: the organization takes on setup and ongoing maintenance. Anthropic recommends its hosted offering for most enterprises seeking operational simplicity. Running on infrastructure an organization controls does not, by itself, establish that a workflow meets a particular security or compliance requirement.
Compare the workflows
| Decision point | Local session | Anthropic-hosted cloud session | Self-hosted cloud environment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Where execution runs | The developer’s machine, according to Anthropic’s setup documentation. | Remote cloud infrastructure, according to the cloud workflow documentation. | Infrastructure controlled by the organization, according to Anthropic’s announcement. |
| Laptop closed | The setup guide does not establish that work persists independently of the machine. | Documentation says the session continues after the laptop closes. | The announcement describes cloud sessions but does not establish detailed persistence behavior; check current product documentation. |
| Access and handoff | Terminal or IDE workflow. | Browser, mobile, desktop, terminal, and routines are listed. | Web, mobile, desktop, and routines are listed in the announcement. |
| Project environment | Uses the development machine’s environment, subject to its setup and permissions. | Uses the environment configured for the cloud session; arbitrary local files are not automatically available. | Can run alongside internal services and toolchains when configured by the organization. |
| Who operates the infrastructure? | The developer manages the local machine and environment. | Anthropic manages the hosted infrastructure by default. | The organization owns setup and ongoing maintenance. |
Which workflow fits your project?
Choose local when the task depends on your machine
- The repository, tools, or development environment you need are already on the developer’s machine.
- You want to work in a terminal or IDE and manage the local project setup directly.
Choose Anthropic-hosted cloud when work must continue away from your laptop
- You need a session to keep running after you close the laptop.
- You want to check or steer work from another device, using a supported surface and an eligible account.
Consider self-hosting when infrastructure control is a requirement
- Your organization needs execution inside infrastructure and networks it controls, alongside internal services or toolchains.
- Your engineering team can take responsibility for setup and ongoing maintenance.
Can you move cloud work into a terminal?
The cloud workflow documentation describes claude --cloud for starting cloud work and --teleport for continuing a cloud session in a terminal. It describes Remote Control separately: that feature lets a user steer a local session, rather than turning that local session into a cloud session. These command behaviors are version-sensitive; confirm the current CLI documentation before relying on them.
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What should enterprise teams know about data visibility and retention?
Anthropic’s compliance documentation says enterprise local-session transcripts record what Claude was asked and returned, including tool calls and results. It also says activity that never reaches the API—for example, local files a session never sent—is not captured in that transcript. This describes transcript coverage; it is not proof that every local workflow keeps all data on the device.
Anthropic’s API and data-retention documentation states that, in the described enterprise context, local-session transcripts are retained for six years by default or according to the organization’s custom finite conversation-retention period. It states that remote-session transcripts are retained for six years unless a user deletes the session sooner. These are scoped retention terms, not a universal rule for every account, plan, or API configuration.
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Before using sensitive code, check your organization’s account configuration, applicable product terms, and retention policy. The available documentation does not support a blanket claim that local or cloud sessions are more private or secure.
Quick Recap
Best Value
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- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
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- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
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