Open Claude Code from Houdini shelf

• 1 min read

When I use Claude Code for Houdini work I always want the terminal to open in the same folder as my HIP file. Doing it manually every time is annoying — so I made a shelf tool that does it in one click.

What it does

Click the shelf button → Windows Terminal opens in your HIP file’s folder → Claude Code launches automatically. If the HIP is unsaved, it warns you first.

Setup

1. Right-click any shelf → New Tool

2. Options tab:

  • Label: Open Claude Code
  • Icon: MISC_python

3. Script tab — paste this (no leading spaces):

import hou
import os
import shutil
import subprocess

hip_path = hou.expandString(hou.hipFile.path())

if not os.path.isfile(hip_path):
    hou.ui.displayMessage(
        "Save your HIP file first before opening Claude Code.",
        title="Open Claude Code",
        severity=hou.severityType.Warning
    )
else:
    hip_dir = os.path.dirname(hip_path)
    if shutil.which("wt"):
        # Windows Terminal, opened in the HIP folder
        subprocess.Popen(["wt", "-d", hip_dir, "cmd", "/k", "claude"])
    else:
        # No Windows Terminal: plain Command Prompt window in the HIP folder
        subprocess.Popen(
            ["cmd", "/k", "claude"],
            cwd=hip_dir,
            creationflags=subprocess.CREATE_NEW_CONSOLE
        )

4. Click Accept — done.

Requirements

  • Claude Code installed — npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code
  • Windows Terminal (optional, falls back to a plain Command Prompt window)
  • Houdini 19.5+

Mac/Linux users: swap the subprocess.Popen calls for open -a Terminal or gnome-terminal --working-directory.