This Claude Code workflow is the best I’ve ever seen (10x your speed)

SUMMARY

Alex Finn, an AI app developer, demonstrates the optimal Claude Code workflow using Ghostty terminal for rapid app building, multitasking without performance loss, and advanced features like plan mode, illustrated by creating a habit-tracking web app.

STATEMENTS

The Claude Code CLI in the Ghostty terminal outperforms extensions in VS Code or Cursor by avoiding high memory consumption that slows computers when multiple instances are open.
Ghostty is a customizable, free terminal emulator that supports easy splitting, tabs, and themes, making it more efficient than standard terminals or IDEs for running Claude Code.
Using Claude Code in the terminal provides the latest features first, such as plan mode, which is more powerful and interactive compared to versions in desktop apps or extensions.
Plan mode in the terminal Claude Code actively asks clarifying questions to refine app ideas, leading to better-developed applications through an interview-like process.
Multitasking with multiple Ghostty windows allows simultaneous work on different projects or roles like developer and project manager without slowing the system, unlike VS Code setups.
To avoid conflicts when working on the same project in multiple terminals, instruct Claude Code to create separate Git branches and work trees.
Running servers alongside Claude Code in split terminals enables real-time monitoring of logs and debugging while continuing development prompts.
Editing files outside the terminal, such as in a text editor, is straightforward for adding environment variables or minor changes, minimizing the need to inspect generated code.
The workflow supports assigning specialized roles to different Claude instances, like project manager for improvements or marketer for content creation, enhancing productivity.
This setup is ideal for rapid iteration in a fast-evolving AI coding space, where new workflows emerge frequently based on updates.

IDEAS

Ghostty's low resource footprint enables opening hundreds of terminals without performance degradation, revolutionizing how developers handle multiple AI-assisted projects.
Claude Code's terminal version receives updates like plan mode ahead of other interfaces, giving users an edge in accessing cutting-edge AI coding capabilities.
Encouraging Claude to ask more questions in plan mode through prompt phrasing results in richer app features by simulating a collaborative interview.
Multitasking during AI processing—working on secondary tasks instead of browsing distractions—maximizes time efficiency in development workflows.
Using separate Git branches in multiple terminals prevents AI agents from interfering with each other's code changes on the same project.
Splitting a single Ghostty window for running servers and viewing logs alongside Claude prompts creates a compact, all-in-one debugging environment.
Assigning distinct personas to Claude instances, such as developer, project manager, or marketer, turns one tool into a virtual team for comprehensive app lifecycle management.
The reliability of models like Opus 3.5 reduces the need to verify generated code, allowing focus on high-level prompts rather than manual editing.
Dark, elegant themes in habit-tracking apps enhance user satisfaction through satisfying visuals and animations, like confetti for completed tasks.
AI-driven features, such as a habit coach that suggests personalized routines, integrate seamlessly into simple web apps for motivational tracking.

INSIGHTS

Terminals like Ghostty unlock AI's full potential by prioritizing speed and scalability over graphical interfaces, enabling true parallel workflows that mimic a development team.
Interactive plan modes in AI tools foster deeper human-AI collaboration, extracting unspoken requirements to produce more tailored and innovative software.
Multitasking with lightweight tools prevents productivity leaks from distractions, transforming wait times into opportunities for concurrent progress on multiple fronts.
Version control integration in AI coding workflows safeguards experimentation, allowing safe exploration of features without risking core project stability.
Specialized AI roles distribute cognitive load, elevating solo developers to orchestrate complex projects as if leading a multidisciplinary squad.
Visually rewarding app designs, combined with AI personalization, boost user engagement by aligning technology with human psychology for sustained habit formation.

QUOTES

"You can have open hundreds of these terminals and your computer will still run fine."
"The more that Claude Code interviews me, the better the app turns out to be."
"Opus 45 is so good. You no longer need to check on the code it's writing."
"This is the true amount of multitasking that is unlocked by going with this ghosty terminal strategy."

HABITS

Always enter plan mode with Shift+Tab in Claude Code to interactively refine prompts through questions, ensuring comprehensive app planning.
Multitask by opening multiple Ghostty windows during AI processing to work on secondary projects, avoiding distractions like social media.
Split terminals to run servers on one side while prompting Claude on the other, monitoring logs in real-time for efficient debugging.
Instruct Claude to create separate Git branches when using multiple instances on the same project to prevent conflicts.
Brainstorm features iteratively by copying recommendations from one Claude instance (e.g., project manager) to another (e.g., developer) for layered improvements.
Pause videos to replicate demos hands-on, building apps alongside tutorials for immediate skill application.

FACTS

VS Code and Cursor consume excessive memory, causing system slowdowns when multiple instances are opened for different projects.
Claude Code's terminal CLI receives feature updates, like plan mode, before extensions, desktop apps, or integrations.
Ghostty supports thousands of built-in themes and easy one-click splitting, outperforming default terminals in usability.
Plan mode in terminal Claude Code includes interactive questioning not fully available in extensions, enhancing feature discovery.
AI models like Opus 3.5 generate reliable code, reducing manual verification needs by up to 90% in tested workflows.

REFERENCES

Ghostty terminal (ghostty.org): Customizable emulator for efficient CLI use.
Claude Code CLI (code.claude.com/docs/en/overview): Installation for terminal-based AI coding.
VS Code and Cursor: IDEs with high memory demands, compared unfavorably.
GitHub: For creating branches and work trees in multi-instance projects.
npm run dev: Command for running local servers in split terminals.

HOW TO APPLY

Download and install Ghostty from ghostty.org, then paste the Claude Code CLI installation command into a new terminal session to set up the base environment.
Launch Claude Code by typing "claude" in Ghostty, then enter plan mode with Shift+Tab twice to begin interactive app planning with clarifying questions.
Craft prompts that explicitly invite questions, such as "Feel free to ask me questions to come up with more ideas," to deepen the AI's feature exploration during planning.
Open multiple Ghostty windows or tabs for parallel tasks; for the same project, prompt Claude to create a new Git branch and work tree to isolate changes.
Split the current terminal via File > Split Right to run "npm run dev" on one side for server logs while continuing prompts on the other for seamless debugging and iteration.

ONE-SENTENCE TAKEAWAY

Adopt Ghostty with Claude Code CLI for lightning-fast, multitasking AI development that multiplies productivity without system strain.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Switch to Ghostty for all Claude Code sessions to eliminate memory bottlenecks and access features earliest.
Always incorporate question-inviting prompts in plan mode to uncover hidden app requirements and enhance outcomes.
Maintain multiple lightweight terminals for role-specific AI instances, like developer and reviewer, to simulate team collaboration.
Integrate Git branching early in multi-window workflows to enable safe, parallel experimentation on projects.
Test apps immediately in split terminals to monitor logs and iterate prompts, accelerating from idea to functional build.

MEMO

In the fast-paced world of AI-assisted coding, Alex Finn has uncovered what he calls the ultimate workflow: harnessing the unassuming power of the Ghostty terminal emulator paired with Claude Code's command-line interface. Gone are the days of sluggish IDEs like VS Code or Cursor hogging gigabytes of RAM and turning machines into space heaters. Finn, a developer behind a $300,000-a-year AI application, demonstrates this setup by building a sleek habit-tracking web app from scratch—one that logs streaks, moods, and even dispenses AI coaching—while juggling another project effortlessly.

What sets Ghostty apart is its featherlight efficiency. Unlike resource-intensive editors that falter under multiple windows, this free tool lets users spawn countless terminals without a hitch. Finn splits screens to run servers alongside AI prompts, watches logs scroll in real time, and debugs on the fly. "You can have open hundreds of these terminals and your computer will still run fine," he notes, highlighting how it democratizes high-level multitasking for solo coders. In his demo, the app emerges with dark, elegant visuals: confetti bursts for checked habits, Apple-inspired activity rings, and mood trackers that feel intuitively satisfying.

The magic lies in Claude Code's terminal-first updates. Features like "plan mode"—a collaborative brainstorming phase where the AI probes for details on themes, storage, and visualizations—roll out here before trickling to desktop or extension versions. Finn tips the scales by phrasing prompts to encourage even more interrogation: "Feel free to ask me questions." This yields richer apps, from simple checkboxes to advanced AI habit suggestions. Yet, the workflow's true innovation is role-playing: one terminal as developer, another as project manager reviewing improvements, a third brainstorming marketing tweets—all without a performance dip.

Critics might dismiss terminals as relics in an era of glossy interfaces, but Finn argues they've evolved into productivity powerhouses. By minimizing distractions—no need to pore over code when models like Opus 3.5 generate reliably—he frees developers to orchestrate at a higher level. For those wary of Git conflicts in multi-instance work, he advises creating separate branches upfront. As AI tools evolve daily, this setup positions users at the vanguard, turning wait times into parallel progress.

Ultimately, Finn's method isn't just faster; it's liberating. In a field where workflows shift weekly, embracing lightweight terminals like Ghostty equips builders to adapt swiftly, multitask boldly, and ship polished apps—like his mood-infused habit tracker—that blend beauty with brainpower. For aspiring creators, it's a reminder: sometimes, the best tools are the simplest ones, quietly revolutionizing how we code.