Claude Desktop is Anthropic’s AI assistant application for macOS, Windows and Linux, where support remains in beta. Free and paid plans provide chat; paid plans add Cowork tasks and the integrated Claude Code workspace.
Conversations with files
Users type questions or requests and attach documents, images or code as context. Claude can summarize material, revise drafts, explain code or analyze data, then refine its response through follow-up messages. The model selector controls which available model handles a conversation, with additional controls for reasoning effort.
Supported inputs include PDF, Word documents, CSV, spreadsheets and common image formats. Spreadsheet uploads require code execution and file creation. Claude extracts text from non-PDF documents and does not interpret their embedded pictures. Web search retrieves current information with citations. Paid Research follows related searches across the web and enabled remote connectors, rather than local MCP tools.
Files and artifacts
When users enable file creation, Claude runs code to analyze data and produce downloadable documents. Outputs include Excel workbooks with formulas, PowerPoint presentations, Word documents and PDFs. Users describe the content and formatting, inspect the result and request changes.
Artifacts provide a separate work area beside the conversation for documents, slides, designs and interactive tools. Users can request revisions or edit template-based content directly. Highlighting text and choosing Edit with Claude targets a particular passage. Export choices depend on the artifact: documents can become Word or PDF files, while slides can become PowerPoint files. Paid plans add sharing controls for artifact links.
Projects and memory
A project gathers related conversations, reference files and instructions. Uploading knowledge gives its chats reusable context; project instructions can specify tone, formatting or other requirements.
Claude’s memory carries saved context into later conversations. Users can inspect individual topics, correct them or delete them. They can also disable memory before starting a chat. Paid chat search retrieves earlier conversations. Team and Enterprise administrators control whether members can use memory.
Connections to local tools
Desktop extensions connect Claude Desktop to local files, applications and databases through Model Context Protocol servers. Users browse the extension directory, install a package and supply its required settings or credentials. Its tools then become available in conversations.
Remote connectors instead connect cloud services such as Google Drive or Slack. Users choose which tools Claude can access. Plugins can bundle connectors, reusable skills and sub-agents for particular workflows. Organizations can restrict extensions or provide their own.
Delegating Cowork tasks
Cowork takes an outcome rather than only answering a question. Users describe the work, review Claude’s approach and grant access to relevant folders or tools. Claude plans the steps, runs tools and code, and may coordinate parallel workstreams. It can organize files, combine research or create reports and spreadsheets.
Progress indicators show the work as it proceeds, and users can redirect it during execution. Permission settings control when Claude pauses for approval. Access to local files requires the desktop app to remain open. The unified experience combines chat and Cowork in one conversation. Pro and Max accounts receive it gradually. Organization settings govern Team and Enterprise access, with Team support in beta.
Scheduled tasks save a prompt and cadence for repeated work. Users review the proposed schedule before activating it, then inspect past runs or edit, pause and resume the task. Each run produces a separate session.
Browser and application actions
Claude can navigate websites, read pages, click controls and fill forms using the built-in browser or Claude in Chrome. Computer use adds direct interaction with desktop applications through screenshots, clicks and typing. It asks permission before accessing an application.
Computer use remains a Pro and Max beta on macOS and Windows. Linux lacks computer use and dictation. These actions depend on the tools and application access that the user enables.
The Code workspace
In Claude Code, users select a project folder, model and permission mode, then describe a coding task. Claude reads project files, changes code and runs commands. Separate sessions keep their own context and can run in parallel; Git worktrees can isolate their changes.
The diff view presents modifications file by file. Users comment on particular lines, and Claude revises the changes in response. A running application can appear in a browser preview for inspection. The workspace also displays pull-request checks and supports further requests to address problems.
Quick entry on Mac
Mac quick entry opens a message box through a configurable keyboard shortcut. Users can select a screen region or application window to attach visual context. Optional dictation transcribes speech into the message; users review the text before sending it. Claude Desktop must remain running, though its main window can stay in the background.
