Claude Inspector, developed by Kangraemin, is a local MITM proxy that exposes the raw JSON exchange between Claude Code and the Anthropic API for developer inspection. It converts terminal traffic into a structured web interface and provides stepwise session breakdowns, request and response views, and diagnostic analysis. The tool targets software developers, AI engineers, and power users who need to debug prompts, reduce token waste, and understand tool-calling behavior.

What tasks can you actually use it for?

The tool helps with practical developer tasks that depend on seeing API payloads, such as locating prompt fragments inside nested messages, tracking which tool calls generated specific responses, and auditing headers and metadata for token accounting. Because it captures JSON payloads in real time, it supports stepwise inspection of request/response pairs and chronological trace analysis for iterative prompt tuning and integration troubleshooting.

How reliable are the captured traces for debugging?

Captured traces reflect the live HTTPS exchange between the CLI and the API, so the dashboard shows exact request and response bodies and timing as they occur. The real-time traffic capture updates the interface instantly, which helps when reproducing intermittent errors. Reliability depends on running the local proxy correctly; when the proxy is active, payload fidelity is preserved, including headers, bodies, and metadata needed for forensic debugging.

What does setup and input look like?

The tool requires a Node.js environment and runs alongside the Claude Code CLI on Windows, macOS, and Linux. It installs a local proxy that interposes on the CLI’s outbound requests, and it does not ask users to paste their API key into the inspector, relying instead on the CLI’s existing configuration. Supported environments include desktop platforms where Node.js is available, and operation assumes the user can run the CLI concurrently.

Does it protect sensitive keys and fit into developer workflows?

Privacy is local-first by design, the proxy runs on the user’s machine so API keys and code snippets remain on that host rather than being sent to an external service. The tool is an open-source community project rather than an official Anthropic product, which affects support expectations. Its zero-configuration layout aims to reduce setup friction, but effective use still assumes familiarity with local proxying and CLI-based workflows.

Suitable for engineers who need transparent traces, with a small learning curve

Claude Inspector is a practical option for developers focused on visibility into API exchanges and prompt behavior, provided they can run a local proxy and the Claude Code CLI. Expect clearer fault isolation in session traces, and plan to pair the tool with manual review of any sensitive decisions surfaced by the traces. A short trial on non-production data confirms workflows before wider adoption.