Anthropic has introduced a new tool called Cowork, designed as a more accessible version of Claude Code. Integrated into the Claude Desktop application, it allows the user to define a specific folder for the AI to access. Claude can read and edit files in it, guided by instructions from a standard chat window. It is essentially an isolated environment for Claude Code that does not require technical skills.
Anthropic has introduced a new tool called Cowork, designed as a more accessible version of Claude Code. Integrated into the Claude Desktop application, it allows the user to define a specific folder for the AI to access. Claude can read and edit files in it, guided by instructions from a standard chat window. It is essentially an isolated environment for Claude Code that does not require technical skills.
Cowork, which is currently in preview, is only available to Max subscribers, with a waiting list available for users of other plans, TechCrunch writes .
The new tool is a response to the trend of using Claude Code as an agent-based AI for tasks not related to programming.
Cowork is built on the Claude Agent SDK, so it uses the same model as Claude Code. The folder structure makes it easy to manage Cowork’s access to files, and since the application doesn’t require working with the command line or virtual environments, it feels much less complicated for regular users.
The tool opens up new possibilities. Anthropic gives an example of preparing an expense report based on a folder of receipt photos. However, Claude Code users have already used the system for other tasks: managing media files, monitoring social media posts, or analyzing conversations.
However, Anthropic clearly warns about the risk of quickly inserting or deleting files, recommending that users make instructions as clear and unambiguous as possible.
«These risks are not new to Cowork,» the post says, «but this may be the first time you’ve used a more advanced tool that goes beyond simple conversation.»
