MOTHER
MOTHER is a macOS terminal built around Claude Code that treats sessions as first-class, adds attention alerts, and (in v1.1) includes a split-pane live web preview plus in-place model switching.
https://coastcreative.studio/apps/mother?ref=producthunt
Product Information
Updated:Aug 6, 2026
What is MOTHER
MOTHER is a dedicated macOS terminal experience designed specifically for working with Claude Code—going beyond simply running it. Instead of treating AI chats as disposable terminal output, MOTHER centers your Claude sessions with tools to launch, resume, and manage them like real workspaces. It’s a universal Mac app (Apple Silicon and Intel) sold as a $9.99 one-time purchase, and it’s also available as part of a larger suite from Coast Creative.
Key Features of MOTHER
MOTHER is a macOS terminal built specifically around Claude Code, treating Claude sessions as first-class objects you can launch, resume, and monitor. It combines a full, real terminal (PTY tabs/splits) with workflow features like project launching, model selection/switching, attention alerts when Claude needs input, drag-and-drop path entry, and a built-in command reference. Version 1.1 adds a split-screen live web preview pane for localhost/dev servers (with hot reload controls), plus deep linking so Claude can open previews via a mother:// URL scheme and an exported $MOTHER_PREVIEW environment variable.
Claude session-first terminal: Launches and resumes Claude Code sessions easily, and keeps sessions organized as primary objects rather than just commands run inside a generic terminal.
Project launcher + session resume: Provides quick access to recent projects with model selection and one-click continuation of past sessions to reduce setup friction.
Real terminal underneath (PTY tabs/splits): Acts as a complete terminal emulator with tabs and splits, usable even without Claude—useful for running builds, git, scripts, and SSH alongside AI work.
Attention alerts when input is needed: A menu-bar indicator lights up (with optional notifications/chime) when Claude is awaiting your response, helping you multitask without missing prompts.
Live web preview pane (v1.1): Embeds a browser beside your session for previewing localhost apps (Vite/Next/etc.) with GO/RELOAD/BROWSER controls; sites that block embedding open externally.
In-place model switching + resolved model display: Shows the actual resolved model (Opus/Sonnet/Haiku) and lets you switch models mid-session; MOTHER sends /model and confirms the change in the UI.
Use Cases of MOTHER
Frontend web development with hot reload: Run a local dev server and keep a live preview split beside Claude-assisted coding, enabling rapid iterate-test cycles without leaving the terminal.
Product engineering multitasking: Let Claude work while you handle other tasks; menu-bar alerts notify you when the session needs input, reducing idle time in long-running workflows.
AI-assisted CLI operations for DevOps/SRE: Use the full terminal for deploy scripts, logs, and SSH sessions while Claude helps generate commands, analyze output, or draft runbooks—without switching apps.
Documentation and command discovery: Open the built-in command reference beside a live session to quickly learn shortcuts/flags and apply them immediately during Claude Code usage.
Design/QA review of local builds: Designers or QA can open a preview of a localhost build next to the session and coordinate changes with Claude, speeding feedback loops for UI tweaks.
Deep-linked previews triggered by Claude: Claude can open a specific preview URL via mother://preview?url=… (or $MOTHER_PREVIEW), enabling automated “open the result” steps during interactive builds.
Pros
Purpose-built for Claude Code workflows (session management, alerts, model switching) rather than a generic terminal wrapper.
Integrated split web preview for localhost apps supports faster build-preview iterations without context switching.
Still a full terminal emulator (PTY tabs/splits), so it remains useful even outside AI sessions.
Cons
macOS-only, limiting teams on Windows/Linux.
Web preview embedding depends on site policies; some URLs may refuse to embed and will open externally.
Best value primarily for users heavily invested in Claude Code; may be less compelling if you prefer other AI/dev environments.
How to Use MOTHER
1) Launch MOTHER: Open the MOTHER macOS app. You’ll land on its project/session launcher, where you can access recent projects, choose a model, and resume past Claude Code sessions.
2) Start or resume a Claude Code session: From the launcher, either start a new session for a project or use the one-click option to resume a previous session. MOTHER treats sessions as first-class: it can launch them, resume them, and indicate when they need your input.
3) Choose your model before you begin (optional): In the launcher, select the model you want to use (Opus, Sonnet, or Haiku). MOTHER also supports model switching later without leaving the terminal.
4) Use the terminal like a real terminal (PTY tabs/splits): Work inside the session with full PTY terminal support. You can use tabs and splits for a complete terminal experience even when you’re not actively using Claude.
5) Drag-and-drop files to insert paths: Drag any file or folder onto a session. MOTHER will insert its shell-quoted path directly onto the command line for quick referencing.
6) Open the built-in Command Reference: Open the Command Reference as a tab beside your live session to view shortcuts and Claude Code flags without leaving your workflow.
7) Watch for Attention Alerts when Claude needs you: If you switch to other apps, MOTHER can notify you when Claude needs input: the menu-bar “M” lights up, sends a notification, and can optionally chime.
8) Open the Web Preview pane during a session (v1.1+): Click PREVIEW in the tab strip to open a browser pane split beside your session. Your session keeps focus while the preview is visible.
9) Control the split layout (unsplit/swap): Use ⌘D to unsplit the preview. Use SWAP to flip the preview left or right, like any other tab arrangement.
10) Preview local dev servers with hot reload: Use the preview pane to embed localhost dev servers (e.g., Vite, Next) with live updates. Use the GO / RELOAD / BROWSER controls; if a site refuses to embed, MOTHER opens it in your default browser instead.
11) Start previewing only when you choose: When you open the preview pane, it starts on a themed intro screen with your last URL pre-filled. Nothing loads until you explicitly tell it to.
12) Open a preview from inside a session via URL scheme: From within a session, open: mother://preview?url=… to pop the preview at that URL, split beside the session.
13) Use the exported preview environment variable: Sessions export $MOTHER_PREVIEW. You can reference it in your workflow; it’s also documented in the Command Reference.
14) Confirm which model you’re actually using: Check the status bar’s MODEL field. It resolves the real active model (Opus/Sonnet/Haiku) rather than only showing DEFAULT.
15) Switch models mid-session (v1.1+): Click MODEL in the status bar during a live session and choose Opus, Sonnet, or Haiku. MOTHER sends /model, Claude Code confirms the switch, and the MODEL label updates.
MOTHER FAQs
MOTHER is a macOS terminal built around Claude Code (not just running it). It treats Claude sessions as first-class citizens by launching them, resuming them, and alerting you when they need input.
MOTHER Video
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