Anthropic Rebuilds Claude Code Desktop App with Parallel Sessions and Routines

Anthropic released a major redesign of the Claude Code desktop app on April 14, 2026, for both Mac and Windows. The update introduces a new sidebar for managing multiple concurrent sessions, drag-and-drop layout capabilities for arranging workspaces, and what the company calls a fundamentally rethought user experience.

The headline feature is Routines, launching in research preview. Routines bundle a prompt, a repository, and relevant connectors into a single configuration that can run on a schedule, fire from an API call, or trigger off a GitHub event — effectively enabling Claude to work autonomously without an active human session.

The update also includes Skills 2.0, which bundles instructions, scripts, templates, and reference materials into modular units that Claude executes on demand. Claude Code now shows thinking hints sooner during long operations and adds worktree switching, PreCompact hook blocking, and background plugin monitors.

Enterprise users gain expanded analytics, OpenTelemetry support, and role-based access controls. Anthropic simultaneously announced the deprecation of Claude Sonnet 4 and Opus 4 models, with retirement scheduled for June 15, 2026, recommending migration to the newer 4.6 variants.