Documentation
Everything you need to get started with Claudel and make the most of its features.
Getting Started
What is Claudel
Claudel is a desktop GUI client that wraps Claude Code CLI, Anthropic's AI coding assistant. It is designed for two types of users:
- Developers who want split-pane orchestration, role-based terminal layouts, and a skill marketplace to extend Claude Code's capabilities.
- Non-developers who want to use Claude Code without interacting directly with the terminal, through a guided and visual interface.
Claudel is not an official Anthropic product. It requires Claude Code CLI to be installed separately and functions as a visual layer on top of it.
System Requirements
| Operating System | macOS 13.0 (Ventura) or later |
| Architecture | Apple Silicon (M1, M2, M3, M4) |
| Dependency | Claude Code CLI installed and configured |
| API Access | Anthropic API key or Claude Pro/Max subscription |
Installation
-
1
Download the DMG
Download the latest Claudel.dmg from claudel.app.
-
2
Install to Applications
Open the DMG and drag Claudel into your Applications folder.
-
3
Launch Claudel
On first launch, Claudel automatically detects your Claude Code installation and verifies it is ready to use.
If Claude Code is not detected, Claudel will prompt you to install it. You can install Claude Code by running npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code in your terminal.
First Launch
When you open Claudel for the first time, a 4-step onboarding flow guides you through the initial setup:
Verifies Claude Code CLI is installed and accessible.
Confirms your API key or subscription is active.
Choose your default layout and pane configuration.
Opens your first Claude Code session in the workspace.
Multi-Terminal Workspace
Split Panes
Create multiple Claude Code sessions running side-by-side within a single window. Each pane is an independent terminal with its own session state.
- Press Cmd + \ to split the current pane vertically.
- Drag pane edges to resize. Drag pane headers to rearrange.
- Each pane supports independent scrollback and search.
Pane Roles
Assign a role to each pane for visual organization. Roles appear as colored labels in the pane header and help you keep track of what each session is doing.
UI and client-side work
Server and API logic
Testing and validation
Code review and analysis
Orchestra Mode
Launch a structured 2x2 grid layout with pre-assigned roles. Each pane runs an independent Claude Code session, letting you orchestrate parallel workflows across your full stack.
Activate with:
Session Restore
Sessions persist across app relaunches. When you quit and reopen Claudel, your entire workspace is restored exactly as you left it:
- Pane layout and sizes are preserved.
- Active sessions and their roles are maintained.
- Terminal scrollback history is saved.
- Working directory per pane is remembered.
Skill Marketplace
Browse & Search
Discover community-created skills through the built-in marketplace. Filter by category, sort by popularity or recency, and preview skill descriptions before installing.
One-Click Install
Install skills directly from the marketplace without opening a terminal. Claudel handles downloading, placing files in the correct directory, and version management.
Skill Categories
Skills are organized into categories to help you find what you need:
Code generation, refactoring, architecture patterns
Test generation, TDD workflows, coverage analysis
README generation, API docs, inline comments
Session handoff, context management, automation
UI/UX patterns, component scaffolding, styling
CI/CD, deployment, infrastructure configuration
Keyboard Shortcuts
Claudel is built for keyboard-driven workflows. All major actions are accessible via shortcuts.
| Shortcut | Action |
|---|---|
| Cmd + K | Command Palette |
| Cmd + N | New Session |
| Cmd + W | Close Tab |
| Cmd + Shift + O | Orchestra Mode |
| Cmd + F | Terminal Search |
| Cmd + 1 / 2 / 3 | Switch to Tab |
| Cmd + \ | Split Pane |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about Claudel, system requirements, pricing, and more.