Anthropic announced Cowork on Monday, a new tool designed to make Claude Code's capabilities accessible to non-technical users. The feature is currently available in research preview to Claude Max subscribers through the macOS desktop application.
Cowork allows users to designate a specific folder on their computer where Claude can read, edit, and create files through a standard chat interface. The tool eliminates the need for command-line tools or virtual environments, making it less technically demanding than Claude Code.
Built on the Claude Agent SDK, Cowork shares the same underlying architecture as Claude Code. The folder partition provides control over file access while enabling autonomous task completion including document creation, file management, and data analysis.
Use cases include assembling expense reports from receipt photos, organizing media files, and creating reports from scattered notes. Users have also deployed the tool for managing social media content and analyzing conversations.
Anthropic developed Cowork after observing Claude Code users adapting the developer tool for non-coding tasks. The company states it built the feature in approximately a week and a half using Claude Code itself.
Cowork operates autonomously, planning and executing tasks without requiring step-by-step prompts. Anthropic warns of risks including prompt injection attacks and potential file deletion, recommending users provide clear and unambiguous instructions.
"These risks aren't new with Cowork, but it might be the first time you're using a more advanced tool that moves beyond a simple conversation," the company stated.
Claude Code launched as a command-line tool in November 2024 and has become one of Anthropic's most successful products. The company expanded access with a web interface in October 2025 and a Slack integration in December 2025.
Cowork is available exclusively to Claude Max subscribers, priced between $100 and $200 per month. A waitlist exists for users on Free, Pro, Team, or Enterprise plans.
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