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Getting Started with Claude Cowork

Learn how to use Claude Cowork to edit your files directly and work in your favorite apps. If it’s on your computer, Claude can find and edit it. Describe what you need done, and Claude does it. Learn more: Claude.com/tutorials

May 7, 20264mWatch on YouTube ↗

At a glance

WHAT IT’S REALLY ABOUT

Delegate real computer tasks to Claude with Cowork workflows

  1. Claude Cowork lets you delegate complete tasks to Claude across your computer, cloud tools, and browser, while you watch, steer, or return later for results.
  2. Cowork is available in the Claude Desktop app on macOS and Windows for Pro, Max, Team, and Enterprise users, and work sessions are stored locally on your device.
  3. Setup involves granting folder access for local file operations, connecting supported tools like Google Drive/Notion/Slack for context, and optionally using Claude in Chrome for web-based tasks.
  4. Cowork’s core interaction pattern is “propose a plan, get approval, then execute,” with explicit permissions before file-system changes and opportunities to revise the plan midstream.
  5. A practical demo shows Cowork scanning a messy Downloads folder, proposing categories and naming conventions, flagging duplicates for review, and then moving/renaming files after user confirmation.

IDEAS WORTH REMEMBERING

5 ideas

Cowork is designed for delegation, not step-by-step prompting.

Unlike a normal chat where you co-pilot each step, Cowork takes a handed-off task and carries it through while you monitor progress or return later.

Local folder access turns Claude from advisor into operator.

After you grant permission to specific folders, Cowork can directly read, create, move, rename, and edit files within those directories.

Connectors bring context from where work already lives.

By linking services like Google Drive, Notion, and Slack, Cowork can reference and use existing documents and conversations without manual copying.

Browser capability expands Cowork to web research and extraction tasks.

With Claude in Chrome enabled, Cowork can read pages, extract structured data, and navigate across tabs for browser-based workflows.

The plan-then-approve loop is the main safety mechanism.

Cowork proposes categories, naming conventions, and actions (including deletions) and waits for your sign-off, letting you revise risky steps (e.g., handling “duplicates”).

WORDS WORTH SAVING

5 quotes

Claude Cowork meets you where your work happens and allows you to delegate complete tasks to Claude.

— Unknown

Describe what you need done, and Claude does it.

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In a regular Claude chat, you work with Claude step by step. In Cowork, you hand off tasks, and Claude handles the rest while you focus on other work.

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In a regular chat, Claude could describe how to organize your files. In Cowork, Claude does it.

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You're delegating the work, not the judgment.

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Claude Cowork overview and positioningDesktop app availability and requirementsFolder permissions and local file editingConnectors (Drive, Notion, Slack)Claude in Chrome for browser automationGlobal instructions in SettingsPlan-review-execute safety loop

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