These answers cover the current account-based PandaPaw setup. For a first installation, follow the Quick Start Guide; it includes the commands and a real success check.
General
What is PandaNpc?
PandaNpc is a remote interface and orchestration layer for coding agents. Claude Code, Codex, or PandaCode runs on a machine you control, while you read output, send instructions, approve tools, and resume sessions from the web, desktop, iOS, or Chrome client. PandaNpc also includes multi-model chat, notes, scheduled tasks, Agent Center, and MCP tools.
Is PandaNpc a replacement for Claude Code or Codex?
No. PandaNpc controls those engines and adds cross-device workflows around them. The actual engine still needs to be installed and authenticated on the host. PandaCode is the bundled alternative when you want to choose an OpenAI- or Anthropic-compatible model backend yourself.
Which platforms are supported?
The PandaNpc client is available on the web, iOS, Windows, macOS, and Linux. PandaPaw host installers currently support Windows x64, macOS universal, and Linux x86_64. Check Installation for package details and verification steps.
Do I need a PandaNpc account?
Yes for account-based host pairing, shared Agent Center configuration, and access to connected machines across devices. Email code, Google, and GitHub sign-in are supported. The model provider used by Claude Code or Codex remains a separate account.
Remote Claude Code, Codex, and PandaCode
How do I connect a new machine now?
Sign in, open Connected Devices, and choose Add a device. Run the generated one-time command on the host. The machine pairs during installation and then appears automatically in PandaNpc Agent.
The plain installers remain available and run pandapaw login for browser authorization. pandapaw qr is a compatibility path for manually adding older or special connections, not the primary setup for a new host. You should not normally copy a Bridge ID and token by hand.
Does the host machine need to stay on?
Yes. The coding engine and its tools execute on that host. PandaPaw can start automatically after a reboot, but it cannot keep a session running while the computer is powered off or sleeping. Configure sleep behavior appropriately for a dedicated server or long-running task.
Do I need to open a port or have a public IP?
Normally no. The host and viewing client initiate outbound connections. Do not expose SSH, a relay port, or a local model endpoint to the public internet merely to make PandaNpc work. A restrictive corporate network may still need to allow outbound HTTPS and WebSocket traffic.
Can I control the same host from a phone, browser, and desktop?
Yes. Sign in with the same PandaNpc account and open the saved connection. The clients display the same remote host and session state. Tool execution remains on the host regardless of which viewing device sends the instruction.
What happens when my viewing device disconnects?
PandaPaw and the client attempt to reconnect, and the saved session can be reopened with its history. Whether the agent continues generating during the gap depends on the engine and the point at which the network failed. After reconnecting, verify the last completed tool call before repeating an operation that could have side effects.
Why is the machine listed but offline?
Check, in order:
- The host is powered on and awake.
pandapaw statusrecognizes the services and account.- The host can reach the internet.
- A firewall is not blocking outbound WebSocket/HTTPS traffic.
- The device key or login was completed for the same PandaNpc account you are viewing.
If installation succeeded without authorization, run pandapaw login. Do not create an inbound port-forwarding rule as a first troubleshooting step.
Can PandaNpc use an existing Claude Code or Codex installation?
Yes. The installer detects compatible engines and reuses them. Its uninstall manifest is conservative: tools that existed before PandaPaw should not be removed by pandapaw uninstall.
Models, subscriptions, and costs
Which account pays for a remote coding session?
The account configured for the engine on the host. Remote Claude Code uses that Claude subscription or backend; remote Codex uses its ChatGPT/Codex login or provider; PandaCode uses the provider you selected. PandaNpc service plans and model-provider charges are separate. See Accounts, plans, and AI billing.
Can I use DeepSeek, Qwen, Kimi, or a private endpoint?
Yes through PandaCode or PandaNpc custom provider configuration when the endpoint speaks a supported OpenAI- or Anthropic-compatible protocol. Compatibility is more than accepting a URL: the model identifier, authentication header, streaming response, tool calling, context limit, and output limit must agree with the upstream service.
Does PandaNpc include AI models without an API key?
PandaNpc built-in chat exposes a changing set of provided models. The live selector is authoritative for current availability and account eligibility. This is separate from a remote Claude Code or Codex process, which normally uses the engine’s own credentials. See Supported AI Models.
Why does my custom provider work in desktop but fail in the browser?
Desktop clients can make native HTTP requests, while a browser must obey CORS and mixed-content rules. The provider must allow the pandanpc.com origin and HTTPS when used from the web. Also remember that localhost means the device running the browser, not your remote PandaPaw host.
Security and sharing
Where do commands and file edits run?
On the selected host machine. The remote client sends instructions and approvals; it does not copy the whole project to the viewing device. Prompts and referenced content can still be sent to the chosen model provider, and session data must traverse the relay to be displayed remotely. Read the Privacy Policy for the authoritative data description.
Is a connection share read-only?
No. A connection share lets the recipient drive that agent connection, including the tools and working directory available to the session. For view-only access, share a session transcript instead. Read Connection Sharing before granting access.
Can I revoke a device or shared connection?
Yes. Remove an unrecognized host from Connected Devices and revoke an active connection share from its management screen. Revocation blocks future use of that credential; it does not undo commands or file changes already executed on the host.
What information should I send to support?
Include the host operating system, PandaPaw version, the command that failed, the exact error text, and whether the problem occurs on web, desktop, or iOS. Remove email verification codes, account tokens, device keys, API keys, internal IP addresses, private repository URLs, and source code that is not necessary to reproduce the issue.
For release-specific behavior, check the PandaPaw version history. For help that is not answered here, email support@pandanpc.com.