March 2026 update: This is now obsoleted by Claude Code "Remote Control" capabilities.

October 2025 update: Claude Code is now available in research preview in Anthropic's iOS app with built-in sandboxing, this may be the official solution you're looking for :)

Auto-configured Claude Code devcontainer with mobile-friendly shell: code from anywhere.

Claude Code automatically configured with a persistent shell session, hooks, slash commands, utilities, and specialized sub-agents designed for coding without a keyboard. Everything runs in an isolated devcontainer using Anthropic's official image.

Quick Start (Recommended)

Get up and running in under 2 minutes on Linux, macOS or WSL:

# 1. Add the tap and install
brew tap smithclay/tap
brew install claudetainer
cd ~/your-project
# 2. Initialize your project with a language preset (go, node, python, rust)
claudetainer init python
# 3. Start the container
claudetainer up
# 4. Connect to the container with SSH key authentication (passwordless)
claudetainer ssh
# 5. (Inside the ssh session) Start Claude Code: all hooks and slash commands automatically load in a nice zellij UI.
claude

You now have a fully configured Claude Code development environment with specialized sub-agents, automated quality control, slash commands, and team workflows.

Why Claudetainer?

• 🚀 Instant Setup - Auto-detects your language (Python, Node.js, Go, Rust, Shell) and configures everything
• 📱 Code Anywhere - SSH + terminal multiplexer designed for mobile coding (yes, even from your iPhone)
• 🔧 Smart Tooling - Claude Code with specialized sub-agents, automatic quality control, and useful tools like ccusage and gitui
• 📬 Stay Connected - Push notifications so you know when Claude needs attention
• 🏗️ Team Ready - Share configurations via GitHub repos

Requirements

• Docker - On macOS, using Docker Desktop is recommended
• DevContainer CLI - npm install -g @devcontainers/cli

Installation

macOS & Linux (Recommended):

# Add the tap (one-time setup)
brew tap smithclay/tap
brew install claudetainer
# Install dependencies
brew install node
npm install -g @devcontainers/cli

Other systems: Direct download or dev container feature

Essential Commands

# Project setup
claudetainer init [language]    # Create a new devcontainer for your project
claudetainer up                 # Start container
# Connect and use
claudetainer ssh                # Connect with terminal multiplexer
claude                          # Start Claude Code (inside container)
# Management
claudetainer list               # List running containers
claudetainer doctor             # Health check and troubleshooting
claudetainer rm -f              # Clean removal

Remote Development

Connect from anywhere with persistent sessions:

claudetainer mosh                # MOSH + Zellij/tmux multiplexer (better for mobile)
# Uses SSH key authentication (passwordless)

Includes mobile-optimized layouts and push notifications so you can code from your phone effectively.

Advanced Configuration

• GitHub Presets - Share team configurations
• Custom Layouts - Terminal multiplexer customization
• CLI Reference - Complete command documentation
• Troubleshooting - Detailed problem solving

Contributing

Want to improve claudetainer? Check out our development guide for:

• Architecture deep-dive
• Creating new presets
• Testing strategies
• Contribution workflow

License

MIT License - see LICENSE for details.

Acknowledgements

Many of the original hooks and commands came from sources elsewhere in the Claude Code community, specificaly:

• https://github.com/Veraticus/nix-config/tree/main/home-manager/claude-code
• https://github.com/AizenvoltPrime/claude-setup

Huge thanks to both of those people.