claude-squad vs claude-multi
Strengths
- Lightweight — uses tmux, no extra dependencies beyond Claude Code itself
- Simple and focused: spawn sessions, switch between them, done
- Good for managing git worktrees with separate Claude sessions
- Open source and easy to understand the codebase
- Low overhead — doesn't add its own layer between you and Claude Code
Weaknesses
- Requires tmux — not useful if you don't live in a terminal multiplexer
- No provider routing — every session talks to the same Anthropic API
- No per-instance config isolation by default
- Limited to Claude Code — can't route to other providers
- Session management is manual — you pick which tmux pane to interact with
Best for: You already use tmux, run Claude Code exclusively with Anthropic, and just want a way to juggle multiple sessions.
What claude-squad does well
claude-squad solves a specific problem well: you’ve got multiple Claude Code sessions open and you need to manage them without losing your mind. It uses tmux as the substrate, which means if you’re already a tmux user, it fits naturally into your workflow.
The approach is minimal. No extra UI framework, no config layer, no provider management. Just tmux panes, each running a Claude Code session, with some convenience commands to create, switch, and clean up. It works particularly well with git worktrees, where each session is operating on a different branch.
If your entire workflow is Anthropic + tmux + Claude Code, claude-squad is a clean solution.
Where claude-multi is different
claude-multi shares the same DNA — both tools manage multiple Claude Code sessions — but takes a different approach on several fronts:
- Provider routing — claude-multi can route each instance to a different provider (Anthropic, GLM, MiniMax, DeepSeek, MiMo, Kimi, Qwen). claude-squad assumes Anthropic for everything.
- Config isolation — each instance gets its own
~/.claude-<name>/directory with separate settings, history, and MCP server configs. This is built in, not something you configure manually. - Custom TUI — claude-multi has its own terminal UI for creating, starting, stopping, and monitoring instances. It doesn’t depend on tmux.
- Template system — save provider configurations as templates and spin up new instances from them.
When to pick which
Pick claude-squad if you’re an existing tmux user who only works with Anthropic and wants a lightweight way to manage multiple Claude Code sessions. It’s simple, it’s focused, and it stays out of your way.
Pick claude-multi if you need multi-provider support, want config isolation between instances, or prefer a purpose-built TUI over tmux panes.
Honestly, if you’re happy with claude-squad and only use Anthropic, there’s no strong reason to switch. claude-multi adds value when you need the provider routing and isolation layer.