Log out by clicking your profile menu in the bottom left
To log out of Claude Code, click your profile icon or initials in the bottom left corner of the window, then select "Sign out" from the menu that appears. This closes your session and returns you to the login screen. The profile menu is the fastest way to end your session — you do not need to close the application or clear your browser.
Your session ends immediately when you click "Sign out". Claude Code disconnects you from the server, and anyone trying to use that computer next will see the login screen instead of your account. This is the only reliable way to prevent someone else from accessing your conversations and account history on a shared device.
Key Takeaways
- Your profile icon sits in the bottom left corner of Claude Code and opens a menu with a "Sign out" option.
- Clicking "Sign out" immediately ends your session and clears your authentication from that device.
- Your conversations and settings remain saved to your account and will be there the next time you log in.
- On a shared computer, signing out is essential — closing the browser window alone does not end your session.
- If you cannot find the profile menu, refresh the page or close and reopen Claude Code to reload the interface.
Where the sign-out button is located
Open Claude Code and look at the bottom left corner of your screen. You will see either your profile picture, your initials, or a generic user icon. Click on it directly — do not look for it anywhere else on the page.
A small menu will drop down with your account name and email at the top. Below that, you will see "Sign out" as an option. Click "Sign out" to end your session immediately. The menu may also show other options like account settings or preferences, but "Sign out" is the one you need.
What happens after you sign out
Once you click "Sign out", Claude Code closes your session and takes you to the login page. Your conversation history, saved files, and account settings remain stored on Anthropic's servers — they will be there the next time you log back in with your username and password.
Signing out does not delete anything. It only disconnects your current session from the server. Think of it like leaving a building and locking the door behind you — the building and everything inside it stays intact, but nobody can enter until someone unlocks it again with the right key.
Why you should sign out on shared computers
If you use Claude Code on a computer that other people also use, always sign out when you are finished. Leaving yourself logged in means the next person can see your entire conversation history, read every prompt you sent to Claude, and access any sensitive information you discussed — passwords, personal details, work documents, or anything else you typed.
On a shared device, signing out is the only way to prevent someone else from viewing your account. Simply closing the browser window or shutting down the computer is not enough — the session stays active until you explicitly sign out. The next person who opens Claude Code will still see your account and all your conversations.
If the sign-out button does not appear
If you cannot see your profile icon in the bottom left corner, the interface may not have loaded completely. Try refreshing the page by pressing F5 (Windows) or Command+R (Mac). Wait a few seconds for the page to reload, then look for the profile icon again.
If refreshing does not work, close Claude Code entirely and reopen it. On the web version, close the browser tab and open a new one. On the desktop app, quit the application completely and launch it again. This forces the application to reload from scratch and should restore the profile menu. You can then log out normally.
Signing out from the web version versus the desktop app
Claude Code works the same way whether you use it in your web browser or as a desktop application. The profile menu is always in the bottom left corner, and the sign-out process is identical on both versions. You do not need to remember different steps depending on which version you are using.
If you use Claude Code on multiple devices — your phone, your laptop, your work computer — you must sign out on each device separately. Signing out on your phone does not automatically sign you out on your computer. Each device maintains its own session, so you need to go through the sign-out process on every device where you have logged in.
What to do if you forgot to sign out
If you realize you left Claude Code logged in on a shared computer, you can sign out remotely from another device. Log into your Claude Code account from a different computer or phone, then look for an account settings or security section that shows your active sessions or connected devices.
Many accounts have a "Sign out of all sessions" or "Manage devices" option that lets you end sessions from a distance without being physically at that computer. This is useful if you left work without signing out, or if you used a friend's computer and forgot to log out before leaving. Check your account settings to see what options are available.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does signing out delete my conversations?
No. Your conversations are saved to your account and will still be there when you log back in. Signing out only ends your current session — it does not remove any data from your account.
What if I forgot to sign out on a shared computer?
Log into your account from another device and look for a "Manage sessions" or "Active devices" option in your account settings. Most accounts let you sign out of other sessions remotely without being at that computer.
Can I sign out without clicking the profile menu?
The profile menu in the bottom left is the standard way to sign out of Claude Code. There is no keyboard shortcut or alternative method built into the application itself.
Will signing out affect my saved files or settings?
No. Your preferences, saved conversations, and any files you have uploaded remain on your account. They load automatically the next time you log in.
Do I need to sign out if I am the only person using this computer?
Not for security reasons, but signing out is still a good habit. It keeps your account secure if someone gains temporary access to your computer, and it ensures a clean start the next time you use Claude Code.