How to Use Claude Cowork: Access, Setup & Getting Started Guide (2026)
To access Claude Cowork, download the Claude Desktop app for macOS, subscribe to Claude Pro (£16/month) or Max (£80-200/month), then open the app and click the "Cowork" tab. You'll grant Claude access to a specific folder on your computer, describe your task, and let the AI work autonomously while you focus on other things.
When Did Claude Cowork Launch?
Claude Cowork launched on 12 January 2026 as a research preview for Claude Max subscribers. On 16 January 2026, Anthropic expanded access to Pro subscribers (£16/month).
The feature builds on Claude Code, a developer tool. Accessing Cowork allows general productivity work—no terminal or coding knowledge required.
How to Get Claude Cowork
Getting Claude Cowork involves two main requirements: a compatible Mac and a paid subscription. You cannot buy Cowork separately; it is included in Pro and Team plans.
Requirements checklist:
- Hardware: macOS device (Apple Silicon M1/M2/M3 recommended)
- Software: macOS 14+ (Sonoma) or later
- Account: Claude Pro (£16/mo) or Team plan
How to Download Claude Cowork
Claude Cowork is not a separate app—it's built into the core Claude Desktop application.
- Visit the download page: Go to claude.ai/download.
- Get the Mac version: Click "Download for macOS".
- Install: Drag the Claude.app into your Applications folder.
How to Enable Claude Cowork
Once installed, you need to activate the "Cowork" mode within the interface.
Step 1: Launch & Sign In
Open Claude Desktop and sign in with your Pro/Team account.
Step 2: Switch Mode
Locate the toggle at the top of the chat window. Click "Cowork" (sometimes labelled as "Tasks" in early beta versions).
Step 3: Grant Permissions
Claude will ask to access a folder. Create a dedicated "Claude Work" folder and grant access to this folder only. This ensures the agent works safely in a sandboxed environment.
How to Access Claude Cowork Features
With Cowork enabled, you can now drag files into the window or instruct Claude to "look in the folder" to start autonomous work.
How to Use Claude Cowork
File Organisation Tasks
Give Claude a messy folder and watch it sort everything logically.
Example prompts:
- "Organise my Downloads folder by file type and date"
- "Sort these project files into folders by client name"
- "Rename all these screenshots with descriptive names based on their content"
Document Creation
Claude can create polished documents directly from your files and notes.
Example prompts:
- "Create an expense report spreadsheet from these receipt photos"
- "Draft a project summary document from my scattered meeting notes"
- "Build a PowerPoint presentation from this research folder"
Output formats: Claude generates professional files including Excel spreadsheets with working formulas, formatted Word documents, and PowerPoint presentations.
Research & Synthesis
Combine Cowork with Claude's connectors and browser extension for research tasks.
Example prompts:
- "Review my draft blog posts and suggest which ones are closest to being ready to publish"
- "Compile a competitor analysis from my notes and recent web research"
- "Summarise the key points from all PDFs in this folder"
Parallel Task Queuing
Unlike standard chat, you can queue multiple tasks and let Claude work through them simultaneously. This makes Cowork feel less like a conversation and more like delegating to a capable assistant.
Requirements & Eligibility
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Subscription | Claude Pro (£16/month) or Claude Max (£80-200/month) |
| Platform | macOS only (Windows "coming soon" – no date confirmed) |
| App | Claude Desktop app (not web or mobile) |
| Internet | Active connection required throughout the session |
| App status | Claude Desktop must remain open while tasks run |
Who Can't Use Claude Cowork?
- Free plan users
- Windows users
- Users who only access Claude via web browser or mobile app
- Team and Enterprise plan users (waitlist available)
Usage Limits
Cowork tasks consume significantly more of your usage allocation than regular chat. A complex multi-step task might use as much quota as dozens of standard messages. Pro users will hit limits faster than Max subscribers.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get Claude Cowork?
Download the Claude Desktop app for macOS from claude.ai/download, subscribe to Claude Pro (£16/month) or Max (£80-200/month), then click the Cowork tab in the app. There's no separate download or activation—Cowork is built into the desktop app.
Why can't I see the Cowork tab?
Check three things: (1) You're using the Claude Desktop app on macOS, not the web version. (2) You have an active Pro or Max subscription. (3) Your app is updated to the latest version. If all three are correct and you still can't see it, try signing out and back in.
Can I use Claude Cowork on Windows?
Not yet. Cowork is currently macOS-only. Anthropic has confirmed Windows support is planned but hasn't announced a release date.
Is Claude Cowork the same as Claude Code?
They use the same underlying technology, but serve different users. Claude Code is a command-line tool for developers. Cowork wraps that same power in a visual interface for non-technical users doing general productivity tasks.
What happens if I close the app while Cowork is running?
Your session ends immediately. The Claude Desktop app must remain open for Cowork to complete tasks. If you close it mid-task, you'll need to start again.
Can Claude Cowork access all my files?
No. Claude can only access the specific folder you grant permission to. It operates in a sandboxed environment and cannot see or modify anything outside that designated folder.
Can Claude Cowork delete my files?
Yes, if instructed to. Anthropic warns that Claude can take "potentially destructive actions" including deleting files. Claude will typically ask for confirmation before significant actions, but you should keep backups and give clear instructions about what should and shouldn't be deleted.
Why does Cowork use so much of my usage limit?
Cowork tasks are compute-intensive. Each task involves multiple steps: reading files, planning, executing, and verifying. A single Cowork session doing complex file operations might consume as much quota as dozens of regular chat messages.
Can I use Cowork with other apps?
Yes. Cowork integrates with Claude's connectors (external app integrations) and the Claude in Chrome browser extension. This lets you combine local file work with web browsing and external data sources.
What's the best way to give Cowork instructions?
Be specific about your desired outcome. Instead of "organise this folder", try "organise this folder by sorting files into subfolders by project name, with a separate 'Archive' folder for anything older than 6 months". Clear instructions reduce the risk of Claude misinterpreting your intent.
Last updated: January 2026. Claude Cowork is currently in research preview—features and availability may change.
