How to run Claude Code 24/7 without keeping your laptop open

The problem: Claude Code dies when you close your terminal

Claude Code runs as a CLI process in your terminal. When you close the terminal window, shut your laptop, or lose your SSH connection, the process terminates. If Claude was in the middle of a complex refactoring across 20 files — all that progress and context is gone.

This is not a bug. It is how terminal processes work. But it makes Claude Code frustrating for any task that takes more than a few minutes.

Common scenarios where this hurts:

• You give Claude a big task and go to lunch — session dropped
• Your Wi-Fi blips for 30 seconds — SSH disconnects, agent killed
• You want to check on progress from your phone — no way to connect
• Your laptop goes to sleep at night — hours of work wasted

Method 1: tmux on a remote server (DIY)

The classic solution. Rent a VPS, install tmux, and run Claude Code inside a tmux session. When you disconnect, tmux keeps the session alive.

Pros

• Full control over the server
• Cheap VPS from $5/month
• Works with any terminal tool

Cons

• You need to set up the server yourself (Ubuntu, Node.js, firewall, SSH keys)
• No browser terminal — you need an SSH client on every device
• No automatic backups
• Security updates are your responsibility
• If tmux crashes (rare but happens), your session is lost

Method 2: screen (alternative to tmux)

GNU Screen is an older alternative to tmux that works the same way. Some people prefer it.

Same pros and cons as tmux. Screen is pre-installed on many systems but has a less intuitive interface.

Method 3: managed hosting (the easy way)

Instead of renting a VPS and configuring everything yourself, you sign up and get a ready-to-use environment. The key differences:

• Browser terminal — access from any device, no SSH client needed. Check on your agent from your phone while commuting.
• Claude Code pre-installed — no setup. Run claude login and start working.
• Your website is live instantly — everything Claude builds is served on your domain automatically.
• Managed security — firewall, fail2ban, automatic updates handled for you.
• Daily backups — your work is safe even if something goes wrong.

Which method should you choose?

If you enjoy server administration and want full control, the DIY tmux approach works well. But if you would rather spend your time coding instead of managing infrastructure, a managed solution saves hours of setup and ongoing maintenance.

The cost is the same ($5/month for a basic setup). The difference is whether you spend that time building your project or configuring your server.

Frequently asked questions