How to Use Claude Cowork: Complete Setup & Usage Guide
Overview
Claude Cowork is Anthropic's AI agent for file-based productivity tasks, designed to bring Claude Code's autonomous capabilities to non-technical users. It operates within the Claude Desktop app, allowing Claude to read, edit, and create files in a designated folder based on natural language instructions.
Requirements
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Subscription | Claude Max ($100 or $200/month) |
| Platform | macOS (Windows planned) |
| App | Claude Desktop app |
| Internet | Active connection required |
| Waitlist | Pro/Team plans can join via app |
Initial Setup
Step 1: Install Claude Desktop App
- Download Claude Desktop from claude.ai
- Install on macOS
- Sign in with your Claude Max account
Step 2: Access Cowork Tab
- Open Claude Desktop
- Navigate to the Cowork section/tab
- If on waitlist, you'll see option to join
Step 3: Configure Workspace Folder
Critical Decision: Choose your folder carefully—Claude can access ALL files within it.
Recommended Approach:
~/Documents/
└── Cowork Workspace/ ← Create this dedicated folder
├── Receipts_Jan2026/ ← Task-specific subfolder
├── Project_Notes/ ← Task-specific subfolder
└── Exports/ ← Output destination
Folder Selection:
- Click "Select Folder" in Cowork interface
- Navigate to your dedicated workspace folder
- Grant access permissions when prompted
Security Best Practices
Folder Setup Rules
| DO | DON'T |
|---|---|
Create dedicated Cowork Workspace/ folder | Point to Documents, Desktop, or Downloads |
| Use task-specific subfolders | Grant access to synced cloud drives |
| Clear folders after task completion | Leave sensitive files in accessible folders |
| Populate only with task-relevant files | Include entire project directories |
Files to NEVER Include
- Tax returns and financial documents
- Government IDs and personal identification
- HR documents and employment records
- Password exports and credential files
- API keys and secrets
- Medical records
- Legal documents
- Private correspondence
Privacy Risk Awareness
- Over-scoping: Broad folders expose unintended content
- Data propagation: Generated files may contain extracted sensitive data
- Prompt exfiltration: Malicious content could trigger credential searches
Using Cowork Effectively
Basic Workflow
1. Populate workspace folder with relevant files
2. Open Cowork in Claude Desktop
3. Describe task in natural language
4. Claude executes autonomously
5. Review outputs in workspace folder
6. Clear folder when task complete
Interaction Model
Cowork operates differently from standard Claude chat:
| Standard Claude | Cowork |
|---|---|
| Back-and-forth conversation | "Leave messages for a coworker" |
| Immediate responses | Multi-step autonomous execution |
| Manual file uploads | Direct folder access |
| Single-turn tasks | Complex workflow chains |
Example Prompts
File Organization:
"Organize all the files in this folder by date, creating subfolders
for each month. Rename files to include the date prefix."
Data Extraction:
"Look at all the receipt images in the Receipts folder and create
an expense spreadsheet with date, vendor, amount, and category columns."
Document Generation:
"Read through my meeting notes and create a formatted summary document
with action items, decisions made, and follow-up tasks."
Analysis:
"Analyze the sales data in the CSV files and create a PowerPoint
presentation with key trends and insights."
Supported File Operations
Input Files (What Cowork Can Read)
- Images (JPG, PNG, screenshots)
- PDFs
- Text files
- CSV/data files
- Office documents
- Code files
- Notes and markdown
Output Files (What Cowork Can Create)
| Format | Capabilities |
|---|---|
| Excel (.xlsx) | Formulas, multiple tabs, VLOOKUP, conditional formatting |
| PowerPoint (.pptx) | Formatted slides, layouts, basic design |
| Word (.docx) | Professional formatting, styles, tables |
| Text/Markdown | Notes, summaries, documentation |
| CSV | Data exports, structured information |
Task Categories
1. File Management
- Organize and rename files
- Sort by date, type, or content
- Deduplicate files
- Archive old content
2. Data Extraction
- Receipt → Expense spreadsheet
- Images → Structured data
- PDFs → Summarized notes
- Screenshots → Documentation
3. Document Generation
- Notes → Formatted reports
- Data → Presentations
- Outlines → Full documents
- Drafts → Polished versions
4. Analysis Tasks
- Data trends and patterns
- Content summarization
- Comparison reports
- Status dashboards
Troubleshooting
Common Issues
| Problem | Solution |
|---|---|
| Cowork can't find files | Verify files are in designated folder |
| Unexpected file access | Check folder scope isn't too broad |
| Task not completing | Break into smaller subtasks |
| Output quality issues | Provide more specific instructions |
| Permission errors | Re-grant folder access in app settings |
Prompt Improvement Tips
Vague (Poor):
"Fix my files"
Specific (Better):
"Rename all PDF files in this folder to include the date
from the document content, using format YYYY-MM-DD_originalname.pdf"
With Constraints (Best):
"Create an expense report from the receipt images in the Receipts folder.
Include columns for: Date, Vendor, Amount, Category, Payment Method.
Output as an Excel file named 'January_2026_Expenses.xlsx'.
Only include receipts dated January 2026."
Comparison: When to Use What
| Task | Best Tool |
|---|---|
| Quick questions | Standard Claude chat |
| Code development | Claude Code |
| File-based productivity | Cowork |
| Research with citations | Claude with web search |
| Desktop file automation | Cowork |
Limitations
Current Constraints
- macOS only (Windows planned)
- Folder-scoped access only
- Active internet required
- Max subscription required (others on waitlist)
- Research preview status (expect changes)
Security Limitations (Acknowledged by Anthropic)
- Prompt injection defenses are "sophisticated but incomplete"
- Agent safety is "still an active area of development"
- Users must "take precautions" and manage their own security
- No enterprise-grade access controls
- No audit logging
Quick Reference Card
Setup Checklist
- Claude Max subscription active
- Claude Desktop installed (macOS)
- Dedicated workspace folder created
- Sensitive files excluded
- Task-specific subfolders ready
Safe Usage Checklist
- Only task-relevant files in folder
- No credentials, IDs, or secrets present
- Clear instructions prepared
- Output location specified
- Plan to clear folder after task
Prompt Template
TASK: [What you want done]
INPUT: [Files/folders to process]
OUTPUT: [Expected format and filename]
CONSTRAINTS: [Any limitations or requirements]
Resources
- Anthropic Blog: claude.com/blog/cowork-research-preview
- Support Docs: support.claude.com/en/articles/13345190-getting-started-with-cowork
- Claude Desktop: Available from claude.ai
Last Updated: January 2026 | Research Preview Version