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BetterChannels is a native iOS and Apple Watch companion app for Claude Code. It lets you monitor your coding sessions in real time, send instructions, and receive progress updates — all from your phone or wrist, without touching your laptop.

BetterChannels connects to a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server that runs locally on your machine alongside Claude Code. The MCP server bridges session data to your phone via HTTP and WebSocket over your local network. No cloud services are involved.

Install the BetterChannels MCP backend on your laptop (requires Node.js). Run it with ‘npm start’ or ‘bun run start’ — it starts on port 3333 by default. Then add the MCP server to your Claude Code configuration. The iPhone app will auto-discover it on your local network.

Claude Code Channels is an official Anthropic feature (launched March 2026) that lets you connect Claude Code to messaging platforms like Telegram and Discord via MCP plugins. BetterChannels provides a similar experience but as a native iOS app with Live Activities, voice input, and Apple Watch support.

Yes. You can type messages or use voice dictation (speech-to-text) to send instructions to any active Claude Code session. Messages are relayed through the local MCP server to Claude Code on your laptop.

When a Claude Code session is active, BetterChannels shows a Live Activity on your Lock Screen and Dynamic Island with the project name, current status, progress percentage, and latest message. This updates in real time via WebSocket.

The Watch app shows your session list, status badges, and lets you send quick replies or dictate messages. It syncs with the iPhone app via WatchConnectivity. The iPhone must be reachable for the Watch to communicate with the MCP server.

BetterChannels can read progress updates aloud using on-device speech synthesis. This is useful when you’re away from your screen — you’ll hear what Claude is doing. You can mute globally or per-session from the toolbar.

No. BetterChannels only communicates with the MCP server on your local network. Your source code, file contents, and repository data stay between Claude Code and your machine. We have no servers and receive no data.

BetterChannels is built on the open Model Context Protocol standard. While it’s designed for Claude Code, it should work with any MCP-compatible coding agent that implements the same session and progress APIs.