Claude Code and other AI tools

AI coding tools run in Dockmaster’s terminals like any other program. Dockmaster adds a few things that make them easier to use.

Launch a tool

Dockmaster looks for these tools on your PATH:

• Claude Code (claude)
• Codex (codex)
• Gemini CLI (gemini)
• OpenCode (opencode)
• Aider (aider)

Each tool that’s installed appears under Tools in the new-terminal menu (the arrow next to +), and as a button when a project has no terminals open. Choosing one opens a shell in the project folder and starts the tool in it. Because it’s a normal shell, you’re back at your prompt when the tool exits.

If you install a tool while Dockmaster is running, restart Dockmaster so it’s picked up.

Know when a tool needs you

You don’t have to watch a tool’s tab while it works:

• A spinner replaces the tab icon while a tool reports progress.
• When a tool rings the terminal bell or sends a notification while you aren’t looking at it, its tab gets a dot, the project gets a bell badge in the sidebar, and Dockmaster shows a desktop notification. Click the notification to jump straight to that terminal.
• If Dockmaster’s window isn’t focused, its taskbar button also flashes.

Set up Claude Code once. To be notified when Claude Code finishes or needs you, set its preferredNotifChannel setting to terminal_bell.

Turn desktop notifications on or off with Settings → Behaviour → Show desktop notifications.

Type and paste

• New lines: Shift+Enter inserts a new line in Claude Code and similar prompts instead of sending your message. You can switch this off in Settings → Terminal.
• Screenshots: copy an image, then press Ctrl+V in the tool. When the clipboard holds no text, Dockmaster passes the key straight to the tool so it can paste the image itself.
• Plain Ctrl keys such as Ctrl+B, Ctrl+R and Ctrl+T always reach the tool. Dockmaster’s own shortcuts use Ctrl+Shift.

Work side by side

Split a tool’s tab with Ctrl+Shift+D to keep a shell next to it, for example to run tests while the tool works. The commands panel stays open on the right, so you can restart a dev server without leaving the tab.