Anthropic has launched Cowork, a new feature built into the macOS Claude desktop app that extends the capabilities of its Claude Code agentic tool to general office tasks. Cowork allows users to grant Claude access to a specific folder on their computer and then provide instructions in plain language for tasks such as filling out expense reports from receipt photos, writing reports from digital notes, or reorganizing files.

The company said that Cowork is built on the same foundations as Claude Code, which has gained popularity among software developers. However, Anthropic aims to make Cowork more accessible to a broader range of users, including those without technical expertise. "Anthropics goal with Cowork is to make it something any knowledge workerfrom developers to marketerscould get rolling with right away," the company stated.

Claude Code, the predecessor to Cowork, demonstrated the potential of AI agents in automating complex coding tasks. Agentic tools like Claude Code utilize large language models (LLMs) to understand instructions and execute tasks autonomously, often by interacting with other software and systems. Cowork expands this concept to general computing, potentially impacting how knowledge workers manage information and automate routine tasks.

The development of Cowork reflects a broader trend in the AI industry toward creating more user-friendly interfaces for complex AI tools. By allowing users to interact with AI agents using natural language, companies like Anthropic are lowering the barrier to entry and enabling a wider audience to benefit from AI-powered automation.

Anthropic said it began working on Cowork to address the need for accessible AI tools that can assist with everyday office tasks. While some of these tasks were already possible with Claude Code, the company recognized that it required more technical knowledge to set up and use effectively. Cowork aims to simplify the process and make it intuitive for all users.

The launch of Cowork represents a significant step in the evolution of AI-powered productivity tools. As AI technology continues to advance, it is likely that more companies will develop similar tools that can automate a wide range of tasks and augment human capabilities. The implications of these developments for the future of work are significant, raising questions about the changing role of knowledge workers and the need for new skills and training.