[FEATURE] Allow opening the terminal in a brand-new (empty) Code tab session

Open 💬 0 comments Opened Jun 27, 2026 by pandhup

Problem

In the Claude Desktop app → Code tab, the terminal toggle button only appears after the session has at least one chat message. On a brand-new / empty session (before sending anything), there is no way to open or show the terminal at all.

So if I want to run a few commands myself before starting the conversation, I cannot — I have to send a message first just to make the terminal button appear.

Proposal

Show the terminal toggle (or otherwise allow opening the terminal) in a new/empty Code tab session as well, not only after the first chat message exists.

Why

  • Run quick setup/inspection commands before kicking off the conversation
  • Consistent behavior — the terminal already works fine once chat exists; it just is not reachable on an empty session
  • One less forced step (no need to send a dummy message first)

Environment

  • Claude Desktop app (macOS), Code tab
  • Plan: Pro

Current workaround

Send any message first so the terminal button appears, or open a separate external terminal and cd into the folder manually.

View original on GitHub ↗