Claude can now perform tasks on your computer for you
What's the story
Anthropic has announced a new feature that allows its AI chatbot, Claude, to perform tasks directly on a user's computer. The update marks a major step toward more interactive and action-oriented artificial intelligence systems. With this capability, Claude can do more than just respond to commands; it can actively carry out tasks like retrieving files, browsing the internet, and using developer tools.
Access
Feature available for Claude Pro and Max subscribers
The new feature is currently in a research preview phase and is only available to Claude Pro and Claude Max subscribers. It also works only on devices running macOS. The update builds on Anthropic's existing tools, including Claude Code and Claude Cowork, which can now perform tasks within a user's system.
Task execution
How Claude interacts with your system
When executing tasks, Claude prioritizes connectors with supported services like Google Calendar and Slack. If a connector is not available, the AI can still proceed by manually interacting with the system, mimicking keyboard and mouse actions. This way, it can open the files, use web browsers, and operate development tools as needed.
Enhanced functionality
Remote task assignment via Dispatch tool
The new feature also works with Anthropic's Dispatch tool, letting users assign tasks to Claude remotely via their smartphone. These tasks can be anything from checking emails to opening sessions in Claude Code or running automated workflows. Despite the advanced capabilities, Anthropic has assured that Claude will always ask for user permission before performing any action on a computer.
Security measures
Not for sensitive data yet
Anthropic has also warned users against using the feature for handling sensitive data. Some applications are disabled by default to minimize risk. The system comes with protections against threats like prompt injection attacks and automatically scans for vulnerabilities. Notably, the company has admitted that the feature is still in its early stages and may not handle complex tasks reliably at this stage.