TL;DR
Anthropic introduced Cowork, a feature in the Claude Desktop app that lets users point the model at a specific folder to read or edit files and give further directions through chat. The tool is a research preview limited to Max subscribers and is built on the same Agent SDK that powers Claude Code, aiming to provide similar automations without command-line setup.
What happened
Anthropic announced Cowork, a new capability inside the Claude Desktop application that allows users to grant the assistant access to a designated folder so it can read and modify files. Users interact with Cowork through the familiar chat interface and supply further instructions there; the setup avoids command-line tools and virtual environments, positioning the feature as an easier-to-use counterpart to Claude Code. Cowork runs on the Claude Agent SDK, the same foundation used by Claude Code, and partitions access by folder to limit scope. Anthropic rolled the tool out as a research preview available to Max subscribers, with a waitlist for customers on other plans. The company framed Cowork as a response to users employing Claude Code for non-programming tasks — examples include assembling expense reports from receipt photos — and flagged potential hazards like prompt injection or accidental deletions if instructions are vague.
Why it matters
- Makes agent-driven file automation accessible to users without developer tooling or command-line experience.
- Folder-based partitioning offers a simple control mechanism for limiting what the assistant can access.
- Represents a move toward broader adoption of agentic AI workflows beyond coding tasks.
- Raised security concerns highlight the need for clearer user guidance and guardrails when agents act autonomously.
Key facts
- Cowork is integrated into the Claude Desktop app and controlled via the chat interface.
- Users designate a specific folder that Claude can read from and modify.
- Cowork is currently in research preview and only available to Max subscribers; a waitlist exists for other plans.
- The feature is built on the Claude Agent SDK, the same underlying model as Claude Code.
- Anthropic says Cowork removes the need for command-line tools and virtual environments to set up similar automations.
- Anthropic warned about risks such as prompt injection and deleted files and advised clear, unambiguous instructions.
- Anthropic cited real-world non-coding uses — for example, assembling expense reports from receipt photos.
- Claude Code originally launched as a command-line tool in November 2024; Anthropic later released a web interface and a Slack integration.
What to watch next
- Whether Anthropic expands Cowork access beyond Max subscribers and the pace of that rollout (not confirmed in the source).
- How users apply Cowork in practice and whether new classes of non-coding workflows emerge.
- Potential security incidents or prompt-injection cases as Cowork is used more widely (not confirmed in the source).
Quick glossary
- Claude Agent SDK: A software toolkit that enables building agent-style applications around Anthropic’s Claude models.
- Research preview: An early release of a product or feature made available to a limited set of users for testing and feedback.
- Prompt injection: A security concern where adversarial or malicious instructions in input cause a model to behave in unintended ways.
- Sandboxed folder: A confined directory used to restrict a program’s access to files and limit its impact on other system areas.
Reader FAQ
Who can use Cowork today?
Cowork is in research preview and available to Max subscribers; users on other plans can join a waitlist.
Can Cowork read and modify my files?
Yes — users designate a folder that the assistant is allowed to read from and edit.
Is Cowork different from Claude Code?
Cowork uses the same Agent SDK as Claude Code but is designed to be easier to set up by avoiding command-line and virtual environment requirements.
Are there security risks?
Anthropic warns about risks like prompt injection and accidental file deletion and recommends giving clear, unambiguous instructions.
How much does Cowork cost?
not confirmed in the source
On Monday, Anthropic announced a new tool called Cowork, designed as a more accessible version of Claude Code. Built into the Claude Desktop app, the new tool lets users designate…
Sources
- Anthropic’s new Cowork tool offers Claude Code without the code
- Collaborate with Claude on Projects
- teams use Claude Code
- Claude Code Without the Code: The Complete Guide to …
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