Quick answer
Fastest Claude Code hosting path to a custom domain + HTTPS: take the HTML or React files Claude Code wrote on your disk, or upload a ZIP/folder with index.html, into GeminiLaunch, and click Go Live. You get a public HTTPS URL in under two minutes. On Lite ($5/mo), add one DNS record to swap the free subdomain for your Claude Code custom domain / custom URL. No GitHub required. Same idea as our Cursor custom domain guide and Claude Artifact guide.
The problem
Claude Code writes code — it does not do Claude Code hosting
You spend an afternoon in Claude Code. The page looks right on localhost. Then a client asks for the link — and you realize a terminal preview is not Claude Code hosting they can open on their phone with HTTPS.
Competitor guides in 2026 usually push one path: ask Claude Code to connect GitHub, log into Vercel, push, and deploy. That works for teams who want CI. It is more setup than you need if you just want a permanent URL and, soon after, a Claude Code custom domain on yourbrand.com or yourbrand.co.uk.
What you actually need is simple: take the files Claude Code already wrote, put them on the open internet with HTTPS, then point your Claude Code domains at them — without a repo if you do not want one.
Claude Code hosting is not built in — no permanent public URL on your domain
A local preview is not a site clients, customers, or Google can visit over HTTPS
GitHub + Vercel is optional — useful for teams, unnecessary for a one-page launch
Multi-file projects need a host that accepts folders/ZIPs, not only chat paste
Key insight
Claude Code did the hard part — the design and the code on disk. Claude Code hosting is paste or upload, publish HTTPS, then DNS for your custom domain. You do not need a DevOps workflow to get there.
Compare
Four Claude Code hosting options compared
Honest comparison of Claude Code hosting paths you will see in 2026 search results — including the popular Claude Code → GitHub → Vercel tutorials and GeminiLaunch's own MCP connector for staying in the terminal.
| Option | Method | Time | GitHub | Custom domain | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| GeminiLaunch | Paste code or upload ZIP/folder | Under 2 minutes | No | Lite $5/mo (1) · Pro $15/mo (5) | Fastest path from Claude Code files to your own domain |
| Claude Code → GitHub → Vercel | Ask Claude Code to push + deploy (most competitor guides) | 10–20 minutes after accounts | Yes | Via Vercel | Teams that want git history and auto-deploy on every push |
| GeminiLaunch MCP | Connect once, then ask Claude Code to publish | About 1 minute after connect | No | Lite $5/mo (1) · Pro $15/mo (5) | Staying in the terminal — no paste or ZIP upload |
| ZIP / drag-and-drop hosts | Build → ZIP → upload (Netlify Drop, Tiiny, Static.app) | 5–10 minutes | No | Varies by host | People who already export folders and prefer drag-and-drop |
Step-by-step
Claude Code hosting — 4 steps to a custom domain
Most people are live on free HTTPS in under two minutes. Connecting a Claude Code custom domain / custom URL adds a few minutes for DNS.
Build your site with Claude Code
In your project folder, ask Claude Code to generate a landing page, portfolio, or small business site. For the smoothest publish, request a single-file HTML page with CSS and JavaScript inline — or a static multi-file site with index.html at the root. Claude Code writes the files onto your disk; there is no Artifact export step.
Tip: Prompt pattern: "Build a single-file HTML page for [purpose]. Include all CSS and JS inline. Fully responsive." For Vite/React, ask Claude Code to produce a static build you can zip from dist/.
Copy the code — or zip the project folder
For a single file: open the HTML Claude Code wrote, select all, copy. For a multi-file site: zip the folder that contains index.html (or your dist/ / out/ build output). Do not zip the parent folder above the files you need — the host should see index.html at the top level.
Tip: Skip node_modules, .git, and source-only folders. If Claude Code used a framework, run the build first, then upload the static output — not the whole repo.
Paste or upload into GeminiLaunch and go live
Open GeminiLaunch, create a project, and either paste the code into the editor or upload your ZIP/folder. GeminiLaunch auto-detects HTML and React. Click Go Live. You get a public HTTPS URL on a free GeminiLaunch subdomain — no GitHub and no Vercel CLI. Prefer never leaving the terminal? Connect GeminiLaunch MCP and ask Claude Code to publish for you instead.
Tip: Publish on the free subdomain first. Check the page on your phone before you point a custom domain at it. MCP setup steps live on the GeminiLaunch MCP page.
Set your Claude Code custom domain + HTTPS
When you want a Claude Code domain on yourbrand.com (or a Claude Code custom URL like yourbrand.co.uk), upgrade to GeminiLaunch Lite ($5/mo) for 1 domain, or Pro ($15/mo) for up to 5. Add the domain in your project settings and copy the exact DNS record GeminiLaunch shows (CNAME or A record) into GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare, Google Domains, or wherever you bought the domain. Free HTTPS / SSL is included automatically — you do not buy a separate certificate.
Tip: Lite includes 1 custom domain; Pro includes up to 5. Most DNS changes go live in 5–30 minutes. Full DNS walkthrough: launch an AI website on a custom URL.
Avoid these
Common mistakes with Claude Code websites
Treating localhost as a public website
Claude Code can open a local preview, but that only works on your machine. Clients and customers need a public HTTPS URL — and preferably your own domain.
Assuming GitHub + Vercel is the only path
Most Claude Code deploy guides push GitHub → Vercel. That works. It is not required to get a live URL. Paste-and-publish or ZIP upload skips the repo, CLI logins, and deployment protection settings.
Uploading the wrong folder (or including node_modules)
Upload the folder that contains index.html or your static build output. Shipping node_modules or the whole monorepo slows uploads and often breaks the site.
Confusing Claude Artifacts with Claude Code
Claude.ai Artifacts live in chat and can Publish to claude.site. Claude Code writes a real project on disk. This guide is for the terminal workflow — for chat Artifacts, see our Claude Artifact guide.
Skipping the free subdomain check before DNS changes
Validate layout, links, and mobile view on the free GeminiLaunch URL first. Fix content, then connect yourbrand.com so you only wait on DNS once.
Be fair
When GitHub, Vercel, or MCP deploy is the right call
Other paths are better when:
Your team already deploys from GitHub and wants preview deploys per branch
You want Claude Code to run gh + vercel for you and you are happy in that ecosystem
You prefer never leaving the terminal — connect GeminiLaunch MCP and ask Claude Code to publish
You need a full backend, database, or server runtime — not a static page
If you just want Claude Code output live fast — free first, custom domain when ready — paste or upload and publish is the shortest path. Want Claude Code to publish itself? Connect the GeminiLaunch MCP server.
Related guide
Cursor site on a custom domain
Same paste → publish → DNS flow for Cursor-generated pages.
Read the guideRelated guide
Turn a Claude Artifact into a website
For claude.ai chat Artifacts — not the Claude Code CLI workflow.
Read the guideRelated
Publish from Claude or ChatGPT via MCP
Connect once, then ask the AI to go live — no paste. Includes Claude Code.
Read the MCP guideFAQ
Frequently asked questions
Common questions about Claude Code hosting, Claude Code domains, HTTPS, and custom URLs.
What is Claude Code hosting?
Claude Code hosting means putting the site Claude Code built on a public server with HTTPS. Claude Code itself only writes files on your disk — it does not host them. Paste or upload those files to GeminiLaunch, publish free, then connect a Claude Code custom domain when you want yourbrand.com.
How do I set up a custom domain and HTTPS for a Claude Code app?
Publish the Claude Code files first (paste or ZIP upload) so you have a live HTTPS URL on a free GeminiLaunch subdomain. Then on Lite ($5/mo) or Pro, add your Claude Code domain, copy the DNS record GeminiLaunch shows, and create it at your registrar. HTTPS / SSL is automatic — no separate certificate step.
I built an app using Claude Code and want to share it publicly — what's the fastest way to deploy it with a custom domain?
Fastest path: paste the HTML/React Claude Code wrote (or upload a ZIP with index.html) into GeminiLaunch → Go Live (free HTTPS URL in under two minutes) → Lite ($5/mo) → add your domain → one DNS record. Skip GitHub → Vercel unless you already want CI. That is the shortest Claude Code hosting path to a public custom domain.
How do I host a Claude Code website on a custom domain?
Build the site with Claude Code, then paste the HTML/React into GeminiLaunch or upload a ZIP/folder with index.html. Click Go Live for a free subdomain. Upgrade to Lite ($5/mo) for 1 Claude Code domain or Pro ($15/mo) for up to 5, add your domain, and create the DNS record GeminiLaunch shows at your registrar. No GitHub required.
Can I use a Claude Code custom URL or Claude Code domains I already own?
Yes. Any Claude Code custom URL you bought elsewhere (.com, .co.uk, .io, and others) works. Add it in GeminiLaunch Lite or Pro and point DNS with the record shown in the dashboard. Free HTTPS stays on — visitors never need a Claude or Anthropic account.
Does Claude Code host websites for you?
No. Claude Code is Anthropic’s agentic coding tool in the terminal — it writes and edits files on your computer. Claude Code hosting is a separate step: publish those files with a host such as GeminiLaunch, Vercel, Netlify, or GitHub Pages to get a permanent public URL (especially on your own domain).
Do I need GitHub to publish a Claude Code website?
No. Paste-and-publish and ZIP/folder upload paths skip Git entirely. Most “deploy with Claude Code” tutorials use GitHub + Vercel because Claude Code can run those commands for you — use that when you want CI, not when you just need a live link today.
How is this different from Claude Code → Vercel guides?
Those guides automate GitHub auth, Vercel login, push, and deploy from the terminal. GeminiLaunch is for when you want a live HTTPS URL and custom domain without creating a repo, wiring CLIs, or disabling Vercel deployment protection. Both are valid — pick the shorter path for your goal.
Can I upload a multi-file Claude Code project, not just one HTML file?
Yes. GeminiLaunch accepts folder and ZIP uploads with an index.html (Free up to 5 MB per site; Pro and Scale up to 45 MB). Single-file paste is still the fastest path when Claude Code gave you one complete page.
Is hosting a Claude Code website on GeminiLaunch free?
Yes for subdomain hosting. The Free plan includes up to 3 live sites on free GeminiLaunch subdomains with free SSL. Custom domains, editing after publish, and no badge start on Lite at $5/month (1 domain); Pro at $15/month includes up to 5 domains.
Claude Code vs Claude Artifact — which guide do I need?
Use this guide if you built the site in the Claude Code CLI/terminal and have files on disk. Use our turn-a-Claude-Artifact-into-a-website guide if you built inside claude.ai chat and have an Artifact preview on claude.site.
Can I use a domain from GoDaddy, Namecheap, Cloudflare, or Google Domains?
Yes. Buy the domain anywhere (.com, .co.uk, .io, and others). In GeminiLaunch Lite or Pro, add the DNS record shown in your dashboard. GeminiLaunch provisions HTTPS automatically on the connected domain.
Will visitors need a Claude or Anthropic account to view my site?
No. Once published, anyone opens your URL in a normal browser. They never see Claude Code or need a terminal login.
Can I update the site after it is on my custom domain?
Yes on any paid plan: paste new code or re-upload files and republish. Your custom domain stays the same. Free-plan sites stay live as first published and cannot be edited afterward.
Does this work for React sites built with Claude Code?
Yes for supported React-style output you can paste, and for static builds you upload as a folder/ZIP. Heavy server frameworks, databases, and APIs still need a traditional host — GeminiLaunch is for static HTML/React pages you want live fast.
What about MCP deploy tools for Claude Code?
GeminiLaunch has its own MCP server. Connect once with `claude mcp add --transport http geminilaunch https://www.geminilaunch.com/api/mcp`, authenticate, then ask Claude Code to publish — no paste or ZIP. Paste/upload in the dashboard is still the shorter path if you prefer a browser. Both paths use the same Free / Lite / Pro / Scale plans.
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Start Claude Code hosting — free HTTPS, then your domain
Paste code from Claude Code or upload a ZIP/folder, publish free HTTPS on GeminiLaunch, then connect your Claude Code custom domain when you are ready. No credit card to start.