Claude Cowork

Claude Cowork is Anthropic's desktop AI agent that automates repetitive tasks across any installed app on Mac or Windows. It controls your screen, mouse, and keyboard to handle multi-step workflows from start to finish without bespoke integrations.

Anthropic launched Cowork to cover the automation territory that API-based tools cannot reach: legacy software, desktop apps, and multi-step file operations with no public API. You describe a task in plain English, Cowork figures out the steps, and the agent executes them on your actual desktop while you watch or step away.

Features:

• •Runs Tasks On Your Actual Desktop Cowork opens apps, clicks buttons, fills forms, copies data between tools, and follows multi-step instructions from start to finish. You watch it work or step away.
• •Handles Repetitive Workflows Data entry, research compilation, moving information between tools, updating spreadsheets, or any process that requires clicking through multiple screens repeatedly.
• •Works With Any Installed App Because Cowork operates at the operating system level rather than through an API, it works with any software you have installed: CRMs, spreadsheets, design tools, even legacy software.
• •No Technical Setup Required Describe the task in plain English. Cowork figures out the steps. No scripts, no automations, no integrations to configure.
• •Projects Create persistent workspaces that link local folders, hold custom instructions, and manage recurring tasks. Files stay on your computer. Import existing projects in one click.
• •Scheduled Tasks Describe an outcome and cadence like pulling metrics every Friday. Claude runs it automatically without a daily prompt.
• •MCP Compatible The Claude desktop app supports Model Context Protocol connections. Link external tools like GitHub, Notion, or Slack so Cowork can access live data as part of its tasks.
• •Chrome Extension For Browser Workflows For tasks that live in the browser, the Claude Chrome extension gives Cowork better access to web pages, forms, and web apps for more precise control.
• •Dispatch From Phone Start a task from your phone with computer use, memory, proactivity, and scheduled tasks. Spans both Cowork and Code. Come back to the result on your desktop.
• •Single Subscription Cowork runs inside the Claude desktop app on Mac or Windows, included in the same Pro or Max subscription that covers Claude chat and Claude Code.

Pricing:

• •Pro $20/mo (or $17/mo billed annually), limited Cowork access, hits rate limits quickly.
• •Max 5x $100/mo, full Cowork access, 5x Pro token quota.
• •Max 20x $200/mo, full Cowork access, 20x quota with priority access.
• •Team Premium $100/seat/mo billed annually (minimum 5 users), includes Cowork for the team.
• •Enterprise Custom pricing per year, includes SSO, audit logs, and compliance tooling for large organisations.

Limitations:

• •Desktop-only, no browser or mobile access Cowork runs inside the Claude desktop app only. There is no web interface and no mobile access, so you cannot start, monitor, or continue a task from your phone or a machine without the installed app.
• •No memory between sessions Every Cowork session starts fresh. Claude has no recollection of previous conversations, so you must re-explain your project context each time you open a new session.
• •Tasks stop if your computer sleeps If the desktop app closes or your machine goes to sleep mid-run, the task stops immediately. Long automations require your computer to stay awake and online for the entire duration.
• •Not covered by enterprise audit logs Cowork activity is not captured in the Anthropic Compliance API or audit exports for Enterprise plans. Businesses with compliance obligations in finance, healthcare, or legal cannot use Cowork for regulated workflows.
• •Requires paid plan, minimum $17/month Cowork is not included in the free Claude plan. Individual access requires Pro at $17/mo annual or Max at $100/mo. Team access requires Premium seats at $100/seat/mo with a minimum of 5 seats.