Why use Porch instead of Claude’s native share button?
Claude’s built-in sharing creates a link that requires recipients to sign into a Claude account to view the artifact. Porch removes that requirement — anyone with the link can open your app in any browser, no account needed. Porch also adds two features Claude’s native sharing doesn’t offer:
- Password protection — gate your artifact behind a password so only people you share it with can access it
- Invite-only access — specify exactly which email addresses can open the app; everyone else sees a gate screen
Step 1: Download your Claude artifact
In Claude, open the artifact you want to share. Look for the download or export button — it’s usually in the top-right corner of the artifact preview panel. Download the file as HTML (.html).
If the artifact is more complex (multiple files with separate CSS and JavaScript), Claude may offer a zip download. Either way, save the file or folder to your computer.
Note on AI-powered artifacts: Standard HTML artifacts (components, calculators, games, dashboards) export as static HTML and work perfectly on Porch. Artifacts that use Claude AI features inside them (like an in-artifact chatbot) require a Claude account to run the AI parts — Porch hosts the static shell, but the AI calls still need authentication.
Step 2: Create a new Porch
Sign in to Porch (free account, no credit card) and click + New Porch. On the new Porch screen, drag your downloaded HTML file (or folder if you got a zip) onto the upload area. Porch deploys it automatically — this takes about 30 seconds.
Give your Porch a name and slug. The slug becomes your URL: yourslug.getporch.app.
Step 3: Set access (optional)
By default, anyone with the link can open your Porch. If you want to restrict access:
- Password: go to Manage Access, set the mode to Password, and enter a password. Text it to whoever you want to share with.
- Invite-only: go to Manage Access, set the mode to Invite-only, and enter email addresses. Each person gets a one-click magic link — no Porch account required on their end.
Step 4: Share the link
Copy the yourslug.getporch.app link from your Porch dashboard. Send it via text, email, Slack, or paste it anywhere. Your recipient taps the link and the artifact opens — no Claude account, no Porch account, no app install.
Porch vs Claude native sharing
| Feature | Porch | Claude share link |
|---|---|---|
| Recipient needs Claude account | Never | Yes |
| Password protection | ✓ | ✗ |
| Invite-only (specific emails) | ✓ | ✗ |
| Works in any browser | ✓ | ✓ |
| Custom URL | yourslug.getporch.app | claude.ai/... URL |
| Free | ✓ (3 Porches) | ✓ |
Frequently asked questions
Do recipients need a Porch account?+
No. Visitors never need a Porch account. For password-protected Porches they enter the password. For invite-only Porches they verify their email via a one-click link. That’s it.
Can I update the artifact after sharing?+
Yes. Upload a new version from your Porch dashboard. The URL stays the same, so anyone who has the link automatically gets the updated version. No need to re-share.
What if my artifact uses Claude AI features (like asking follow-up questions)?+
Artifacts that make real-time calls to Claude’s API (in-artifact AI chat, live AI analysis) require an authenticated Claude session to work. Porch can host the static UI, but those AI API calls will fail without a valid Claude token. Pure static artifacts — dashboards, games, calculators, form UIs — work perfectly.