Summary
- Claude can control your Mac to open apps, browse, fill forms, and automate desk tasks.
- It’s a macOS-only research preview and requires a Claude Cowork or Claude Code subscription to use.
- Claude uses connected apps (Slack, Calendar) and requests permission before opening unconnected apps.
LLMs have finally settled in after many years of turbulent but rapid progress. Now, AI companies are focusing on allowing an AI to take control of your PC so it can perform tasks for you. We’ve seen Microsoft try something similar with Copilot, and we’ve seen the rise of AI browsers that take the reins and do all the browsing, research, and shopping for you.
Well, Anthropic wants Claude to be a little more than that. The company has just announced that you can now let Claude use your PC so it can automate tasks for you, but the restrictions are pretty limiting right now.
Claude AI can now use your computer…if it’s a macOS device
Sorry, Windows and Linux users
Over on the Claude AI official X account, Anthropic has announced the rollout of Claude’s newest feature. It gives the AI assistant control over your computer, letting it open your apps, fill out forms, and do the web browsing for you.
Unfortunately, not everyone can join in on this new feature. First, you need to be a macOS user, and Anthropic hasn’t hinted that a Windows or Linux client is being worked on right now. Second, you need to subscribe to Claude Cowork or Claude Code. Once you’ve ticked those boxes, you should be able to see it as a research preview.
In subsequent replies to the original post, Anthropic explains that you can send Claude a task to perform on your computer with your phone, wait for it to carry out your bidding, and then come back to your workstation to a fully-completed task. Anthropic says Claude will try to perform its duties through your connected apps, such as “Slack, Calendar, and other integrations.” If it needs to open an app that doesn’t have a connection, Claude will ask for permission first.
If you want to know more, head over to the Claude computer use documentation for additional details.
I set up Claude Code the way its creator does, and the difference is night and day
Who better to learn from than the person who made it?