Quick start: In the new Claude experience, describe a task in any conversation on web, desktop, or mobile. There is no Cowork switch. If your account still shows Chat and Cowork, select Cowork first. Cloud tasks keep running with the laptop closed. Keep Claude Desktop open and the computer awake when work needs local files or apps, or runs in an existing local session.
Quick answer
How to choose between a quick question and a larger task.
Ask Claude for a task when you want it to work through several steps and return finished files. You might ask it to organize folders, create a spreadsheet, draft a report from source files, or run repeat research. In the new experience, quick questions and larger tasks use the same conversation. The comparison below is for accounts that still show the older Chat/Cowork selector.
Choosing a mode in the older experience
| Task | Use Cowork? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Ask a quick question | No | Chat is faster and safer for simple answers. |
| Summarize one pasted document | Usually no | Chat is enough unless the work needs local files or repeat execution. |
| Organize a folder of files | Yes | Cowork can work with connected local folders and return changed files. |
| Create a spreadsheet or deck from source files | Yes | Cowork is designed for finished deliverables, not just advice. |
| Run weekly research or reporting | Yes, carefully | Cloud schedules can run without an online device. Local resources still need Desktop open and the computer awake. |
| Work with sensitive or regulated data | Check controls first | The Compliance API covers Cowork on eligible plans. Check current help for separate audit logs, exports, and your plan's controls. |
Source: Claude Help Center, checked October 2, 2026
- Anthropic's release notes say Claude Cowork became generally available on macOS and Windows through Claude Desktop on April 9, 2026.
- Claude Cowork is available on Claude Desktop for macOS and Windows.
- Cowork requires a paid Claude plan: Pro, Max, Team, or Enterprise.
- The merged Claude experience is rolling out to Pro and Max on web, desktop, and mobile, with no Cowork switch.
- Some accounts still show Chat and Cowork. Accounts on the same plan can move at different times.
- Cowork can read and write local files in folders you connect.
- Cloud work runs on Anthropic's servers; existing local sessions run on the device with code in an isolated virtual machine (VM).
- Cloud tasks and schedules keep running with the laptop closed; local work still needs Desktop open and the computer awake.
- Cowork is covered by the Compliance API on eligible plans. Check current help for separate audit-log and export coverage.
Anthropic announced on September 16, 2026 that Cowork and chat are becoming one Claude. The rollout starts with Pro and Max. Team and Free will follow, and Enterprise admins get at least 30 days' notice. Even accounts on the same plan can see different interfaces, so check your message box before following the setup steps.
What changed in the official docs
The important corrections before you follow any old setup guide.
| Old advice | Current official guidance |
|---|---|
| Cowork is macOS only | Cowork is available on Claude Desktop for macOS and Windows. |
| Only Pro and Max users can use it | Anthropic lists Pro, Max, Team, and Enterprise as supported paid plans. |
| Cowork always runs on your device | Cloud tasks run on Anthropic's servers. Existing local sessions run on your computer. |
| Leaving the app | Cloud work continues, but local sessions and local access need Desktop open. |
| Always switch from Chat to Cowork | Only accounts with the older selector need that step. In the new experience, describe the task in any conversation. |
Do not use old screenshots as truth
Cowork has been changing quickly. If a guide still says Mac-only, Pro/Max-only, or gives exact task runtimes, treat it as stale unless it cites the current Claude Help Center.
Requirements
What you need before starting.
| Requirement | Official guidance |
|---|---|
| Access | Use Claude on web, desktop, or mobile where your account has access. Local files and apps need Desktop. |
| Plan | Cowork supports Pro, Max, Team, and Enterprise. The merged experience starts with Pro and Max; Team and Free will follow. |
| Internet | Connect to start or steer work. Cloud tasks can continue after your device goes offline. |
| App state | Keep Desktop open for local sessions or local file and app access. |
| Computer state | Keep the computer awake for local work. Cloud schedules can run without an online device. |
| File access | Claude can only work with local folders you connect, but those files can be changed. |
For local file or app access, install Claude Desktop from Anthropic's download page. On Windows, use the latest Claude for Windows app. Anthropic's help docs also link to readiness checkers for macOS, Windows arm64, and Windows x64 if you want to confirm the computer supports local Cowork before you begin.
How to start a Cowork task
The setup flow from Anthropic's current help doc.
Accounts with the new experience: Open Claude on web, desktop, or mobile and sign in. Describe the task in any conversation. There is no Cowork switch to turn on. Review Claude's approach and permissions, then check the output when it finishes.
Accounts that still show the selector: Open Claude Desktop, sign in with your paid plan, and select Cowork in the message box. Describe the task and review Claude's approach. Separate Cowork also has web and mobile access in beta for supported accounts; Enterprise access depends on admin settings.
For either path, use Desktop when the task needs local folders or apps. Keep it open and keep the computer awake for that access or an existing local session. Cloud tasks that do not need your computer can continue after you close the laptop.
A good Cowork prompt says what finished work should look like. For example: "Use the receipts in this folder to create an expense spreadsheet with vendor, date, category, subtotal, tax, and total. Flag anything unreadable in a separate sheet." That is better than "organize my receipts" because it gives Claude an output shape and a way to handle uncertainty.
Use the safest permission mode first
The new experience offers Manual (the default) and Auto. Manual lets you review approval requests; Auto uses automated safety checks before actions. The older Cowork interface also offers Skip, which bypasses approval requests and automatic checks. Start with Manual for unfamiliar files or tools. Your organization's settings can limit which modes appear.
Not sure which AI model fits your workflow? Take the free quiz.
How Cowork runs your task
What is happening behind the interface.
Claude can plan a task, split complex work into subtasks, use tools, and create finished files. In a cloud session, task coordination and code execution happen in an isolated workspace on Anthropic's servers. Sessions and files are saved to your Claude account.
Existing local sessions work differently. Their agent loop, which coordinates the task and its tools, runs on your device. Code runs in a separate Linux virtual machine (VM), isolated from your main operating system by Apple Virtualization.framework on macOS or Hyper-V on Windows. A cloud session reaches local folders and apps through Desktop, and files it opens are processed on Anthropic's servers. MCP (Model Context Protocol) is the standard some local tools use to connect to Claude.
| Part | What it means |
|---|---|
| Connected folders | Claude can read and write files there. Do not connect broad folders unless the task really needs them. |
| Code execution | Cloud code runs in an isolated server workspace. Existing local sessions use an isolated VM on the computer. |
| Progress view | Claude shows what it is doing so you can steer the task. |
| Deletion protection | Anthropic says Cowork requires explicit permission before permanently deleting files. |
| Desktop dependency | Local sessions and local access need Desktop open and the computer awake. Cloud work can continue without the device. |
Projects, plugins, and scheduled tasks
Where Cowork is more than a one-off task runner.
Projects in Cowork are workspaces for related tasks. Anthropic says they can have their own files, links, instructions, and memory. Use a project when you have recurring work around the same client, report, research topic, or internal process.
Cowork also supports plugins. Anthropic describes plugins as bundles of skills, connectors, and sub-agents that customize how Claude works. For companies, this is where Cowork can become more specific to a role or team, but every plugin also expands what Claude can touch. Install them carefully.
Cloud schedules can run with no device online. In the new experience, describe the task and its schedule in a conversation, then review the proposed instructions before confirming it. Local resources still need Desktop open and the computer awake. Anthropic's scheduling help gives conflicting instructions about tying schedules to local folders, so check the current help and test your setup before relying on it. Do not schedule work that uses sensitive files or takes actions that are hard to undo.
Announced change for October 6, 2026
Anthropic says new Pro and Max tasks will run in the cloud from October 6, 2026, and the "Only on your computer" option will go away. Tasks already started locally will stay on the computer. This change is still upcoming as of October 2. Local file or app access will still need Desktop open.
Example Cowork tasks
Practical tasks that match the official use cases.
| Use case | Example prompt |
|---|---|
| File organization | Organize this Downloads folder by file type and date. Ask before deleting anything. |
| Expense reporting | Create an expense report from these receipts. Put unreadable receipts in a review tab. |
| Research synthesis | Use these articles and notes to draft a source-linked research summary with open questions at the end. |
| Transcript cleanup | Extract decisions and action items from these meeting notes. Keep uncertain items in a separate section. |
| Spreadsheet work | Create an Excel file with formulas, tabs by category, and a summary sheet. |
| Presentation draft | Turn these rough notes into a PowerPoint outline and deck draft for internal review. |
In the new experience, ask for simple answers or larger tasks in the same conversation. If your account still has separate modes, use Chat for quick questions and Cowork for work that needs files, apps, or several steps.
Team and Enterprise notes
What admins should know before enabling Cowork.
For Team and Enterprise plans, organization owners can disable Cowork from Organization settings. Team plans use an organization-wide toggle. Enterprise admins can use groups and custom roles for more selective enablement.
Anthropic confirms that the Compliance API covers Cowork on eligible plans. This API lets an organization retrieve activity and conversation records. That does not confirm complete Cowork coverage in separate audit-log or bulk-export tools. Check the current help for your plan and confirm the records, retention, and access controls your organization needs before using regulated data.
| Area | Current official note |
|---|---|
| Admin toggle | Owners can enable or disable Cowork in Organization settings. |
| Plugins | Plugins are included with Cowork and controlled by the Cowork admin toggle. |
| Projects | Projects are available to all Cowork users, with no separate project-creation admin control listed for Team plans. |
| Monitoring | OpenTelemetry can stream Cowork events, but it does not replace audit logging. |
| Storage | Local-session history stays on the computer; Enterprise admins can retrieve it through the Compliance API, but local deletion endpoints are not yet available. Cloud sessions and files are saved to the member's account. |
| Regulated work | Check current plan-specific monitoring, retention, and export controls before using regulated data. |
Safety checklist
How to use Cowork without giving it too much room.
Cowork can work with local files, browser access, connected services, apps, MCPs, plugins, and scheduled tasks. That is also the risk. Treat it like giving a junior operator access to a workstation: define the work area, watch the first runs, and review outputs before anything leaves your machine.
- Create a dedicated Cowork folder instead of connecting your whole desktop, downloads, or documents folder.
- Keep sensitive files out of connected folders: credentials, financial records, personal records, legal files, and customer data.
- Start with Manual permissions for new workflows.
- Stay close and review important actions even in Auto mode. Skip in the older interface bypasses approval requests and automatic safety checks.
- Do not schedule tasks that can send messages, make purchases, publish content, or change production systems.
- Limit browser and web access to trusted sources.
- Use trusted MCPs and plugins only.
- Review any spreadsheet, deck, report, or file changes before using them.
- Stop the task if Claude opens unexpected files, visits unexpected websites, or expands the task beyond your request.
You are still responsible
Anthropic says you remain responsible for actions Claude takes on your behalf, including published content, messages sent, purchases, data access, data modification, scheduled tasks, and computer use.
Official sources checked
The docs used for this update.
- Anthropic: Claude Cowork product page
- Claude Help Center: Release notes
- Claude Help Center: Get started with Claude Cowork
- Claude: September 16 announcement
- Claude Help Center: Cowork and chat are one Claude
- Claude Help Center: Web, desktop, mobile, and the October 6 change
- Claude Help Center: Schedule recurring tasks
- Claude Help Center: Compliance API coverage
- Claude Help Center: Use Claude Cowork safely
- Claude Help Center: Use Claude Cowork on Team and Enterprise plans
- Claude Help Center: Cowork cloud and local architecture
For the broader product context, read What is Claude Cowork? If your work is mostly code, Claude Code is still the better place to start. For choosing between models and tools, use the AI Model Picker.
Frequently asked questions
How do I access Claude Cowork?
If your account has the new Claude experience, describe the task in any conversation on web, desktop, or mobile. There is no Cowork switch. If you still see Chat and Cowork, select Cowork before describing the task. Use Claude Desktop for local files or apps.
Is Claude Cowork available on Windows?
Yes. Anthropic's official help docs say Claude Cowork is available on Claude Desktop for macOS and Claude Desktop for Windows. Windows users need the latest Claude for Windows app.
Does Claude Cowork need the desktop app to stay open?
Cloud tasks and cloud schedules can keep running with the laptop closed. Existing local sessions, and tasks that need files or apps on your computer, need Claude Desktop open and the computer awake. Closing Desktop removes local access without stopping all cloud work.
What is Claude Cowork best for?
Cowork's task tools help with multi-step work, such as documents, spreadsheets, research, folder organization, and repeat tasks. In the new experience, ask for simple answers and larger tasks in the same conversation. With the older selector, use Chat for simple questions and Cowork for tasks.
Can Claude Cowork change local files?
Yes. Cowork can read from and write to local files in folders you connect. Anthropic says permanent file deletion requires explicit permission.
Founder of Spectrum AI Labs — testing AI tools and models, and writing up what actually ships.
More about Paras →Need Help With AI Implementation?
We help businesses integrate AI tools like Claude Cowork into real workflows. Get a free consultation to see what fits your use case.
