Anthropic Introduces Cowork, a File-Based Agent Tool in Claude Desktop

Jan 13, 2026
Anthropic has launched Cowork, a new tool built into the Claude Desktop app that allows users to assign Claude access to specific folders for file-based tasks. The feature, now in research preview for Claude Max subscribers, enables Claude to read, edit, and create files through chat commands without requiring coding knowledge.

On January 12, 2026, Anthropic announced in a blog post a new tool called Cowork, available in research preview for Claude Max subscribers. Integrated into the Claude Desktop app, Cowork allows users to designate a folder where Claude can read, edit, or create files directly through the chat interface.

Cowork is designed to make Claude’s agentic capabilities accessible beyond coding tasks. Users can ask Claude to perform actions such as sorting downloads, compiling expense reports from image files, or drafting documents from notes. The tool operates with more autonomy than a typical chat, planning and executing tasks while keeping users informed of progress.

Anthropic emphasizes user control and safety in Cowork. Users must explicitly grant folder access, and Claude requests confirmation before performing significant actions. The company notes potential risks such as prompt injection and file deletion if instructions are unclear, recommending careful guidance during use.

As a research preview, Cowork is currently limited to macOS users with a Claude Max subscription, with a waitlist open for other plans. Anthropic plans to expand the tool’s availability to additional platforms and improve its safety and performance based on user feedback.

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