Caudex

What is Caudex?

Caudex is a lightweight terminal application designed to work with Claude Code. It provides a dedicated interface for running Claude Code sessions and managing related workflows in one place, rather than relying on a purely text-based setup.

Based on the site content, Caudex focuses on multi-project session management, context/cost visibility, and tools that help you work with sessions, skills, and MCP servers while also allowing shell command execution alongside Claude Code.

Key Features

• Multi-project tabs with session status indicators — manage multiple projects at once and see session states without switching contexts.
• Context monitoring with real-time progress bars and cost tracking — view context usage and session metrics as work runs.
• Multi-split terminal — run multiple Claude Code sessions and/or shell commands side by side (horizontal and vertical splits).
• Unified information panel — quick access to sessions, todos, MCP servers, agents, skills, and permissions from a single sidebar.
• Skills management — browse, install, and manage skills through a visual interface.
• Session controls and Git integration — resume prior sessions, and view branch/status/commit history at a glance; also includes notifications when Claude Code completes or needs input.

How to Use Caudex

1. Download Caudex for your platform (macOS, Windows, or Linux) from the site.
2. Open the app and start with Claude Code—use the tabbed interface to create or resume sessions for your projects.
3. Organize your workspace with multi-split terminal panes and the information panel to keep sessions, MCP servers, skills, and permissions accessible.
4. Monitor runs using context progress and cost tracking, and use quick actions for tasks like compacting or clearing memory and capturing screenshots.

Use Cases

• Working across multiple Claude Code projects: keep separate tabs open for different repos and monitor each session’s status concurrently.
• Tracking context and cost during longer runs: watch real-time context usage and cost indicators while you iterate on tasks.
• Comparing outputs or commands side by side: split the terminal to run multiple Claude Code sessions or combine a Claude Code session with regular shell commands.
• Managing capabilities through skills and MCP servers: use the visual interfaces to browse/install skills and connect/configure MCP servers without leaving the app.
• Reviewing code changes with Git context: use the Git view to check branch status and commit history while continuing work in Claude Code.

FAQ

Which platforms are supported? The download section lists macOS (12.0+), Windows (10+), and Linux (Ubuntu 20.04+ with AppImage and .deb; the site also notes “Linux coming soon” alongside the current version).

Do I need to use Claude Code inside Caudex? Caudex is described as a terminal for Claude Code and includes shell terminal support alongside Claude Code sessions, suggesting it’s intended to be used with Claude Code rather than as a standalone general terminal.

Can I run multiple sessions at the same time? Yes. The site describes multi-tab management and a multi-split terminal for running multiple sessions or commands side by side.

Does Caudex show session metrics while I work? Yes. The app includes context monitoring with real-time progress bars and cost tracking, plus notifications for completion or input needs.

Alternatives

• Dedicated Claude Code terminals/editors (general workflow alternatives): If you prefer a different UI layer for Claude Code, look for tools that provide session management and visibility into runs, rather than a basic terminal-only approach.
• Terminal multiplexers (tmux/screen) + editor tooling: These can help you split panes and manage multiple shell sessions, though they likely won’t provide the same Claude Code-specific sidebar, skills management, or context/cost tracking.
• IDE-based AI integrations: Some IDEs offer AI chat/agent integrations with project panels and sidebars; these may trade Caudex’s terminal-focused workflow for deeper code navigation and editing features.
• Web-based Claude Code interfaces: If your workflow is browser-first, a web interface can reduce local installation steps, but may not match the multi-split terminal and local shell pairing described for Caudex.