Frequently Asked Questions

General

What is PandaNpc?

PandaNpc lets you run Claude Code on your own machine and control it remotely — from your phone, another computer, or any browser. It also includes a built-in multi-model AI chat.

Which platforms are supported?

iOS (App Store), Windows 10+, macOS 11+ (Apple Silicon & Intel), Linux (Ubuntu/Debian x86_64), and the web at pandanpc.com. pandapaw (the bridge you install on your dev machine) runs on macOS, Linux, and Windows.

Is it free?

The client and the built-in AI chat's free daily allowance are free. Remote Claude Code runs on your own Claude subscription or model backend, so there are no PandaNpc charges for it.

Remote Claude Code

How does remote access work?

You install pandapaw on the machine where Claude Code runs. Your phone / desktop / browser connects through the PandaNpc relay to that machine. Both sides connect outbound, so no ports need to be opened — it works behind home routers and firewalls. Everything (including tool execution) runs on your machine; you just drive it remotely. See Claude Code Bridge (pandapaw).

How do I connect?

Run pandapaw qr on your dev machine to show a QR code, then scan it with the PandaNpc iOS app — the connection is created automatically. On desktop/web, paste the Bridge ID and Token instead.

Do I need to keep my dev machine on?

Yes — Claude Code runs there. pandapaw installs as an always-on background service that auto-starts on boot, so the machine is ready whenever you connect.

Can I use a cheaper model backend?

Yes. Point Claude Code at a custom backend (e.g. DeepSeek) with your own API key to save cost, then access it remotely the same way.

Is it secure?

Connections are encrypted (WSS) and signed (HMAC), paired with your own credentials. Your code, tool execution, and model API keys never leave your machine.

What if my network drops?

pandapaw and the client both reconnect automatically and resume your conversation without losing context — no manual action needed.

Built-in AI Chat

Do I need my own API Key?

No — the built-in chat includes AI access out of the box. You can optionally add your own provider and API key for unlimited use with no credits consumed.

Which models are available?

Major providers including OpenAI (GPT-5 series), Anthropic (Claude Opus / Sonnet / Haiku), and Google (Gemini 3 Pro / Flash), plus any custom provider you add.

Does it support images?

Yes — drag, drop, or paste an image, and vision-capable models will analyze it.