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frequently asked questions

Short answers about Canopy, the Claude Code desktop GUI, git worktrees, telemetry, and browser state. For anything not covered here, open an issue on GitHub.

What is Canopy?
Canopy is a desktop GUI for Claude Code. It runs Claude Code sessions in a native window and adds a git worktree sidebar, a session inspector, a browser tab assigned to each worktree, and a launcher.
Is Canopy a replacement for the Claude Code CLI?
No. Canopy wraps the Claude Code CLI and runs it for you. You still use the same Claude Code under the hood.
Which operating systems does Canopy support?
macOS (Apple Silicon and Intel), Windows 10 and newer, and Linux as an AppImage.
Is Canopy free?
Canopy is free to download under a source-available license. See the license file in the GitHub repository for terms.
Does Canopy send my code anywhere?
Canopy itself is local-first. Claude Code sessions send prompts and context to Anthropic's API, the same as running Claude Code from a terminal. See the privacy policy for details.
Do I need a Claude API key?
You need whatever authentication Claude Code itself requires. Canopy does not manage keys for you.
How is Canopy different from using Claude Code in a terminal?
Canopy adds a session inspector with cost and token tracking, a worktree sidebar, a browser tab assigned to each worktree, and a launcher for other tools. The Claude Code experience itself is unchanged.
What is the Inspector?
A panel inside Canopy that shows session status, cost, token usage, context window, and tool call history for the active Claude Code session.
Can I run multiple Claude Code sessions at once?
Yes. Canopy is built around git worktrees, with one session per worktree. You can switch between them from the sidebar.
How do I report a bug or request a feature?
Open an issue on the Canopy GitHub repository.
Who pays for Canopy?
Canopy is built by IT SOL and released for free under a source-available license. There is no paid tier and no plan to gate features behind payment. If IT SOL changes priorities, the current released version remains available and usable. The source code is published on GitHub.
Who maintains Canopy?
The team at IT SOL. Development activity, commit history, and issue responses are public on GitHub. Canopy uses semantic versioning with an automated changelog.
How much memory does Canopy use?
A typical workflow with a few worktrees and agent sessions uses around 1 GB of RAM and near-zero CPU when idle. Power users with 10+ worktrees, active browser tabs, and multiple running agents can reach 2–2.5 GB. More agents, more tabs, more RAM. Canopy is an Electron app, so it uses more resources than a plain terminal.
Does Canopy modify what Claude Code sends to Anthropic?
No. Canopy spawns Claude Code as a child process and reads its stdout. It does not inject system prompts, modify API calls, or proxy traffic. The only input Canopy adds to a session is inline review comments written to the agent's stdin when you use the diff panel.
What does Canopy not do well?
Canopy is an Electron app and uses more memory than a terminal. It does not replace a full IDE. Git operations are limited to worktree and branch management. Some features like tmux integration and remote control are experimental. If you work on one branch at a time, Canopy adds overhead without much benefit.
Does Canopy conflict with my terminal or editor?
No. Canopy runs alongside tmux, iTerm, Warp, VS Code, and other tools. It does not modify your shell config, PATH, or git settings. Close it and continue working in your usual setup.
Can I fully disable telemetry?
Yes. Open Settings > Privacy and uncheck Minimal telemetry. No requests are made to the analytics server when disabled. The setting takes effect immediately. Update checks to GitHub continue unless you decline updates when prompted.
How is Canopy different from a terminal-only Claude Code workflow?
A terminal-only workflow is direct and lightweight. Canopy keeps the same CLI foundation but adds visible worktrees, session status, cost and token tracking, browser capture, and local diff review for multi-branch work.
How is Canopy different from tmux?
tmux is terminal multiplexing. Canopy focuses on AI agent orchestration around git worktrees, Inspector metrics, browser capture, task context, and code review. You can use both if tmux remains part of your terminal workflow.
How does Canopy compare with Cursor, Windsurf, Cline, and OpenHands?
Those tools focus on editor-centric AI workflows, editor extensions, or autonomous agent environments. Canopy is a local desktop workspace for installed CLI agents and git worktrees, so it works beside your editor rather than replacing it.
Can teams or agencies use Canopy for many branches?
Yes. Canopy was built for teams that keep many PR branches active. Each branch can have its own worktree, terminal tabs, agent session, task context, and browser tab.
Which AI coding agents does Canopy support?
Canopy can launch Claude Code, Gemini CLI, Codex, OpenCode, LazyGit, and custom commands when they are installed locally. Inspector depth depends on what each tool exposes in its output.
Is browser state isolated per worktree?
Browser tabs are assigned to worktrees, but saved credentials and login storage are shared across Canopy as one browser tool. Use separate test accounts or another browser profile if you need fully separate login state.
Can Canopy manage existing git worktrees?
Yes. Canopy reads the repository worktree list, so worktrees created from a terminal can appear alongside worktrees created in the app.
Can I use Canopy without Anthropic or without Claude Code?
Yes. You can use Canopy for local projects, git worktrees, terminals, task links, browser capture, and other installed tools. Claude Code-specific session features require Claude Code and its own authentication.

Related guides

Claude Code GUI How Canopy wraps Claude Code in a local desktop workspace. AI coding agent workspace Use Claude Code, Gemini CLI, Codex, OpenCode, and custom tools across worktrees. Canopy vs terminal Compare Canopy with a terminal-only Claude Code workflow. Canopy vs AI coding tools Compare Canopy with Cursor, Windsurf, Cline, and OpenHands.