Anthropic Adds Deep Links to Trigger Claude Desktop From External Apps

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Anthropic introduced a custom URL scheme for Claude Desktop that allows users to launch new or existing sessions from websites, scripts, and other applications. This integration enables automated workflows by pre-filling prompts and attaching local directories directly to the AI interface.

Anthropic added support for the claude:// URL scheme to its Claude Desktop applications for macOS and Windows. This deep linking capability (launching specific app content via a URL) allows external software to programmatically open the app. Users can now trigger sessions from a terminal command or browser link.
URL scheme
claude://
Supported OS
macOS, Windows
Prompt limit
14,000 characters
Supported sessions
Chat, Projects, Code, Cowork
Parameters
q, folder, file
Security
Mandatory confirmation for folder access

This update bridges the gap between local operating systems and AI assistants. It builds on the parallel agentic sessions recently introduced to the desktop app and follows the expansion of consumer app connectors for personal task management. Anthropic is simplifying the handoff between external workspaces and AI agents.

You can now create "Open in Claude" buttons that pre-fill prompts using the q parameter. For agentic coding tasks, links can specify a working directory, extending recent orchestration layer improvements for the desktop environment. The app always prompts for confirmation before accessing local files. These links are available now for all desktop users.

View the full update on support.claude.com
Felix Rieseberg
Felix Rieseberg
@felixrieseberg
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Tiny feature, also a bit of a nerdy one: We've added deep links so you can pre-fill new sessions in Chat, Cowork, or Code with a claude:// link. I like using it for composition in my workflows or adding "Open in Claude" buttons to other apps. It does require the desktop app. https://t.co/0rDK5B8awq

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Still wondering? A few quick answers below.

The claude:// URL scheme is a custom deep linking protocol for the Claude Desktop app on macOS and Windows. It allows other applications, websites, or scripts to trigger the app and navigate directly to specific features. This functions similarly to how standard web links work but targets the local desktop application instead of a browser.

You can pre-fill a prompt by adding the q parameter to a claude:// URL. When the link is opened, Claude Desktop launches and populates the message field with your text. The system supports up to approximately 14,000 characters of URL-encoded text for these automated prompt compositions.

Yes, you can start a new Claude Code session using the claude://code/new path. These links support parameters for the initial prompt and the working directory folder path. This allows developers to build custom buttons in their own tools that instantly launch the AI coding agent with the correct repository context already loaded.

Anthropic treats any folder path supplied through a deep link as untrusted for security reasons. Even if you have previously trusted a specific directory, Claude Desktop will always display a confirmation dialog before adopting it as a working directory. This ensures that external links cannot force the AI to access local files without your explicit permission.

Deep links are specifically designed for the Claude Desktop application on macOS and Windows. While the links use the claude.ai domain structure, they require the installed desktop app to function correctly. If the app is not currently running when a link is clicked, the operating system will automatically launch it before navigating to the requested session.

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