How to Use Claude Cowork: Setup and First Tasks
Claude Cowork is an agentic mode that can plan and complete multi-step work across your files and connected tools. This guide shows you how to set it up safely and run your first useful task.
How to get Claude Cowork
Cowork is Claude's agentic mode, available on desktop, web, and mobile. Here is what you need and how to set it up.
Requirements
- ✓ Any Claude app — desktop (macOS or Windows), web at claude.ai, or the Claude mobile app. Desktop is best for working with local files.
- ✓ Plan availability varies — Pro and Max Cowork tasks run in the cloud. Team cloud Cowork is in beta on web and mobile; Enterprise requires admin enablement.
- ✓ Internet connection — Required throughout your session.
Get the Claude app
Download the desktop app from claude.com/download for local-file work, use Cowork on the web at claude.ai, or grab the Claude mobile app. Sign in with your Anthropic account.
Open Cowork mode
On claude.ai, choose Cowork by the message box if it appears. If it does not, describe the task in a conversation; the newer experience can select the task workflow automatically. The Chrome side panel starts Cowork directly.
Choose the files or tools
For local files, use Claude Desktop to connect only the folder needed. New Pro and Max Cowork tasks run in the cloud; local folders are available to a cloud task only while Desktop is open on the computer that holds them. For cloud files, attach them or connect the service they use. Avoid granting access to your entire home directory.
Describe your task
Type what you want done in plain language. Claude will propose an approach and wait for your approval before making any changes.
Tips for your first session
- • Start with a read-only task—ask Claude to summarize a folder without modifying anything.
- • Cloud tasks can continue while your computer is offline, but local folders and computer-connected tools need Claude Desktop open on the computer that holds them.
- • Review Claude’s plan before approving. You stay in control at every step.
Cowork vs. Claude Code: What's the difference?
Claude Cowork
Claude Desktop in agentic mode. Works with your local files and approved connectors.
- ✓ Access and modify local files and folders
- ✓ Connect to Gmail, Google Drive, Slack, and more
- ✓ Automate repetitive tasks across your tools
- ✓ Get results emailed, filed, or saved automatically
- ✓ Control permissions—only access what you approve
Claude Code
Claude in your terminal. Agentic coding directly from the command line.
- ✓ Write and debug code from your terminal
- ✓ Agentic coding—Claude reads, edits, and runs code autonomously
- ✓ Works with your existing codebase and dev tools
- ✓ Git-aware with built-in safety checks
- ✓ Perfect for refactoring, debugging, and building features
In short: Use Cowork to automate work in your actual files and tools. Use Claude Code to build and test new code.
Your first 3 Cowork tasks
Analyze a folder of files (read-only)
Give Cowork access to a folder and ask it to read and summarize the contents. No file changes—perfect for low-risk practice.
View read-only analyzer workflow →Organize a downloads folder safely
Ask Cowork to sort files by type and ask for confirmation before moving anything. Build confidence with a supervised task.
View folder organization workflow →Extract and reformat data from documents
Use a prompt pack to pull data from files and output it in a new format. See Cowork’s strength in data transformation.
View data extraction prompt pack →How to scope access safely
Cowork is powerful because it can access your files and tools. Keep it safe by following these principles:
1. Start with specific folders
Don’t give Cowork access to your entire home directory. Instead, create a dedicated folder for each task. Example: ~/Cowork/Projects/Q1-Reports/
2. Use read-only when possible
If Cowork only needs to read files, tell it explicitly: “You have read-only access. Do not delete, move, or modify any files.” This is your failsafe.
3. Ask for verification steps
Before Cowork takes any action (especially delete, move, or overwrite), instruct it to summarize what it plans to do and wait for your approval.
4. Test on a copy first
For any task involving file modifications, duplicate the folder and test your workflow on the copy before running on the real thing.
5. Review permissions regularly
Check what connectors and folders Cowork has access to. Revoke access when you’re done with a task. Don’t leave standing permissions.
Claude Cowork on web, desktop, and mobile
You can start and review Cowork tasks from Claude Desktop, claude.ai, or the latest Claude mobile app. Web and mobile access is in beta and may still be rolling out by plan.
Desktop
The full experience. Use Cowork with local folders, local connectors, live artifacts, browser use, and computer use when those features are available to your plan.
Web
Go to claude.ai, open Home, and select Cowork near the message box. Remote sessions and account-saved files follow you across devices.
Mobile
Update Claude for iOS or Android, select Cowork, and start, steer, or review a task. Device-local capabilities still depend on the desktop app.
Check Anthropic's current surface and feature table before relying on a beta capability.
Does Claude Cowork keep working if your computer sleeps?
Remote Cowork sessions keep running when you close your laptop. Tasks that need files, connectors, a browser, or computer control on your device can only reach them while Claude Desktop is open and the computer is available.
Remote or cloud session
The agent runs on Anthropic's servers, so background work and scheduled tasks can continue with no device online. The same session is available on desktop, web, and mobile.
Local files, browser, and computer use
A remote session may continue after the app closes, but it cannot reach folders or tools on your computer until the desktop app and device are available again.
Dispatch
Dispatch tasks that run on your desktop require the computer to stay awake, online, and running Claude Desktop. Choose a cloud session if the work must continue while the computer is off.
Explore deeper guides
Ready to master Cowork? Here are guides on specific topics:
How to Use Cowork
Workflow patterns, permission scoping, approval models, and best practices.
Learn patterns →
Windows Desktop Guide
Windows 10/11 setup, installation, system requirements, and troubleshooting.
Windows guide →
Use Cases
Real-world applications across operations, marketing, sales, support, and engineering.
Explore use cases →
Step-by-Step Examples
Copy-ready workflow examples for file organization, data analysis, and research.
See examples →
Sign In Guide
Web, desktop, mobile login options, session sync, and multi-device access.
Login guide →
Cowork vs Code
Comparison: when to use each tool, capabilities, and best use cases.
Compare tools →
How do you want to access Claude Cowork?
Choose the access path that fits your workflow. All platforms use your same Claude account, so sessions and permissions follow you everywhere.
Quickest Start
🌐Sign in on the web
No installation. Just go to claude.ai and sign in with your paid account.
Login guide →
Full Features
💻Download desktop app
macOS or Windows with local file access, computer control, and native experience.
Download guide →
Web Features
⚙️Explore web capabilities
Remote sessions, connectors, file uploads, cross-device access, no installation.
Web guide →
Mobile + Desktop
📱Use all devices
iOS, Android, macOS, and Windows—sync across devices and monitor work anywhere.
App guide →