| name | start-local-claude-session |
| description | Starts a new interactive local Claude Code CLI session in the project directory. Use when the user wants a new Claude Code session, claude CLI, terminal Claude, or local Claude agent (not cloud). |
Start a local Claude Code session
Launch a new interactive Claude Code REPL in the terminal. Command: claude.
Not the same as:
- Print / SDK one-shot —
claude -p "query" then exit (Ralph local-claude worker)
- Web / desktop — claude.ai/code or the desktop app (different product surface)
Prerequisites
| Requirement | Notes |
|---|
claude on PATH | Install per quickstart |
| Login | First run prompts login; or /login inside a session |
| Project directory | cd to repo root before starting |
Quick start
cd "$(git rev-parse --show-toplevel)"
claude
With an initial prompt:
claude "Review the auth flow in backend/src/routes"
Workflow
- Confirm local interactive — For unattended API/cloud, use Oz or Cursor cloud skills instead.
- cd to repo root — Claude picks up
CLAUDE.md, skills under .claude/skills/, etc.
- Start —
claude or claude "first message".
- Fresh context when switching tasks — User can
/clear inside the session for a new topic without exiting.
- Detached session — Use
tmux if they need the REPL to survive disconnect (see below).
Session variants
| Goal | Command |
|---|
| New session (default) | claude |
| Continue most recent in cwd | claude -c / claude --continue |
| Resume by name/id | claude -r / claude --resume [id] |
| Fork from resume | claude --resume <id> --fork-session |
| Isolated git worktree | claude -w / claude --worktree |
| Fixed session UUID | claude --session-id "<uuid>" |
Inside the REPL: /help, /resume, /clear, exit or Ctrl+D to quit.
Background / detached local session
SESSION_NAME="claude-$(basename "$(git rev-parse --show-toplevel)")"
tmux new-session -d -s "$SESSION_NAME" -c "$(git rev-parse --show-toplevel)" -- claude
echo "Attach: tmux attach -t $SESSION_NAME"
Non-interactive (scripting only)
Ralph local-claude worker:
claude -p "Your prompt" --permission-mode acceptEdits
Related
- Recursive Ralph:
ralph.config.json with "worker": "local-claude" + .ralph/scripts/ralph-chain-next.sh (see .ralph/README.md)
- Repo skills path:
.claude/skills/
