Claude Code transcripts is a CLI utility included on your Claude Code VPS. It helps turn raw Claude Code session files into readable HTML pages you can browse, share, or archive.
You can use it to review past coding sessions, publish transcripts to GitHub Gist, or keep a local archive for reference.
What Claude Code transcripts does
Claude Code transcripts converts Claude Code session data stored as JSON or JSONL into paginated HTML files.
The generated output is mobile-friendly and easy to navigate, with timelines and clear separation between prompts and responses.
Typical use cases include reviewing long sessions, sharing debugging context, and keeping records of important work.
One-time OAuth setup
On first launch, you’ll be guided through a one-time OAuth flow to connect your Anthropic account.
Follow the on-screen instructions to authorize Claude Code and choose your preferred terminal style. This step is required only once.
Viewing a recent local session
The fastest way to view a recent session is to run the tool without arguments.
claude-code-transcripts
This opens an interactive picker showing recent local sessions. After selection, HTML is generated and opened in your default browser.
Local sessions are stored in ~/.claude/projects.
Available commands
The tool supports four main commands:
localselects from local Claude Code sessionswebimports sessions from the Claude APIjsonconverts a specific JSON or JSONL fileallconverts all local sessions into an archive
If no command is specified, local is used by default.
Limiting local session results
You can control how many local sessions are shown in the picker.
claude-code-transcripts local --limit 20
This is useful if you have many saved sessions and want a wider selection.
Importing web sessions
Sessions can be imported directly from the Claude API.
claude-code-transcripts web
You can also import a specific session by ID.
claude-code-transcripts web SESSION_ID
On macOS, credentials are retrieved automatically from the keychain. On other platforms, you must provide an API token and organization UUID.
Output options
All commands support the same output flags.
Common options include:
-oto choose an output directory-ato auto-name the output folder--opento open the result in a browser--jsonto include the source session file
If no output directory is set, files are written to a temporary location and opened automatically.
Publishing transcripts to GitHub Gist
You can publish transcripts using the --gist flag.
claude-code-transcripts --gist
This uploads the HTML files to a GitHub Gist and outputs a preview URL.
The GitHub CLI must be installed and authenticated using gh auth login.
Converting all sessions
To build a complete archive of all local sessions, use the all command.
claude-code-transcripts all
This creates a structured archive with a master index, project pages, and individual session transcripts.
Options like --dry-run, --open, and --include-agents help control what gets generated.
Where files are stored
Local Claude Code sessions are saved as JSONL files in ~/.claude/projects.
Converted archives default to ./claude-archive unless another output directory is specified.
For more information, check the official Claude documentation.