Helios / Compared with a terminal
Claude Code and Codex on Linux
Helios is a native Linux GUI for Claude Code, OpenAI Codex and other coding agents. Use it when a change spans chat, a local browser preview, commands and a Git diff. A terminal works well for scripts and headless sessions.
A frontend example
Fix a button that overflows on mobile
- Open a Git project in Helios and start a session with Claude Code or Codex. Ask it to make the button fit at a narrow viewport while keeping its label readable.
- Run the project’s development server in the Terminal pane and open the local URL in the Browser pane. Check the same page at a narrow and wide size. If your provider accepts images, attach a screenshot so it can see the result.
- Run the project’s tests, then open Changes and inspect the diff by hunk. Stage the intended edits after reviewing them and leave any unrelated edits unstaged.
The captioned workspace demo shows the browser, terminal and Git review together. Sign-in, available tools and approvals depend on your provider.
| The task | In a terminal | In Helios |
|---|---|---|
| Find a conversation | Use the CLI’s history, resume command or separate tabs. | Browse projects and provider sessions in one sidebar. |
| Follow tool activity | Read the CLI’s output and interaction prompts. | Read tool cards, results and session activity in a native conversation view. |
| Choose execution settings | Use the CLI’s commands, flags or configuration. | Choose supported models, effort and permission controls above the composer. |
| Check a local page | Open a separate browser and share the relevant output. | Keep a browser pane beside the chat, with scoped browser tools for supported providers. |
| Run a command yourself | You already have the shell. | Open the integrated Terminal pane in the project directory. |
| Review an edit | Use Git, an editor or a separate diff tool. | Inspect the Changes pane, with checkpoints and opt-in worktrees available. |
| Automate a headless job | Use the CLI directly in a shell, SSH session or CI job. | The desktop is unnecessary for this case. |
When the desktop helps
More context, less hunting.
When you return to several projects, need to answer an approval request, or want to see the local app while discussing a change, the desktop keeps those pieces together. You can read the conversation, run a check and inspect the diff in the same window.
A Work can also keep the objective and acceptance checklist separate from the agent’s changing plan. That helps you review the result against the task you intended.
Try the workflow before switching
The demos show the actual interface with a fictional project. They demonstrate the desktop workflow, not a claim that a model writes better code inside a GUI.
Watch the demos →When the CLI fits
A shell is still a good tool.
Use the CLI directly for headless work, pipelines, SSH, servers and short sessions where a window would add little. Helios requires a Linux desktop and its native libraries. New provider CLI features can also appear before Helios exposes them.
You can keep using the same provider directly. Avoid driving the same live session from two clients at once; start a separate conversation when you want to work in both places.
Provider capabilities still matter
Claude Code, Codex, Google Antigravity, Muse Code, Kimi Code and OpenRouter have different integrations. Sign-in, models, approval behaviour, reasoning levels and billing do not become identical because the window is shared.
Compare provider support →A clear trust boundary
The desktop does not replace your judgement.
Helios makes supported permissions and approval requests visible. It does not create a universal sandbox, turn every provider estimate into a bill, or undo external effects when you rewind files. Read the provider’s native policy and review the result.
Helios sends no telemetry. Provider sessions still send the prompts and context they need to their services; the embedded browser also makes the requests needed to load the sites you open.
Start with one project
Bring your next task to Helios.
Install the app, connect one provider and choose a project folder.