Claude Cowork FAQ

Since September 16, 2026, Cowork is built into Claude itself ("Unified Claude", rolling out to Pro and Max on web, desktop and mobile): you no longer pick a Chat or Cowork mode, and Claude decides whether a request is a quick answer or a multi-step task. It can work with files, create documents, use connectors, and run code in an isolated environment. The exact capabilities depend on the surface and the plan. Check Anthropic's current access guide.

Claude Desktop supports macOS (13 Ventura or later), Windows, and Linux in beta (Ubuntu 22.04+ or Debian 12+, with no computer use and no dictation). Cowork is also available on web and mobile for eligible plans, with surface-specific capabilities. Compare the supported surfaces.

Yes. Since October 6, 2026, new Cowork tasks on Pro and Max run in the cloud, in a temporary isolated environment on Anthropic's servers, and the "Only on your computer" option was removed. Your folders stay on your computer: a cloud session reaches only the folders you connect, and only while Claude Desktop is open. Files it reads are processed on Anthropic's servers. Cowork in the cloud is in beta on Team (on by default) and Enterprise (off by default, an owner turns it on). This does not mean Cowork has unrestricted access to your computer. Read the architecture overview.

Cowork supports connectors, including Google Docs, Sheets and Slides (beta) and Salesforce (beta, approved organizations). Connected folders, the built-in browser and computer use depend on Claude Desktop being open and on a supported operating system. Treat each surface as a distinct capability set. See Anthropic's surface matrix.

No. Anthropic documents Cowork for paid Claude plans: Pro, Max, Team, and Enterprise, not Free, with availability varying by surface. On claude.com/pricing (checked October 11, 2026, in US dollars, excluding tax), Pro is $20 per month ($17 per month billed yearly), Max starts at $100 per month, and Team Standard is $20 per seat per month billed yearly. No euro price list is published. This independent guide and its prompt library are free and open source. Verify current plan access.

Limits depend on the Claude plan, task, model, and amount of content processed. Paid plans have a rolling 5-hour limit plus weekly limits, and Pro and Max can add usage credits at API rates. Auto approval mode uses more of your limit. This guide does not publish fixed message counts or reset estimates because those values can change. Check the limits shown in your Claude account and Anthropic's current help pages.

Cowork uses isolation and permission controls, but agentic work still requires review. Approval modes were renamed: Manual (formerly "Ask before acting") waits for your Allow or Deny, Auto filters each action and blocks dangerous ones, and Skip all approvals (formerly "Act without asking") filters nothing. Limit access to the files needed for the task, keep credentials out of shared folders, and treat untrusted files and web content as potential prompt-injection sources. Review the documented architecture.

Computer use lets Cowork interact with desktop applications. Anthropic now describes it as a beta for Pro and Max on macOS (14 or later) and Windows, not available on Team, Enterprise or Linux, with explicit risks and limitations. Read the official computer-use guidance.

No. This is a community-maintained guide and is not affiliated with Anthropic. Product claims are checked against Anthropic's documentation, with the verification date shown on this page.

Yes. Report factual drift or propose improvements in the open-source guide repository.