Assign Tasks to Claude from Anywhere in Cowork

Anthropic has introduced a new Cowork capability that gives users one persistent, continuous conversation with Claude that works seamlessly across desktop and mobile. Instead of starting a fresh session for every task, users interact in a single thread where Claude keeps context from previous tasks, allowing them to pick up work from any device without losing history. The feature is in research preview and is rolling out first to Max plans and then to Pro plans, and it requires both the Claude Desktop app and the Claude mobile app. Users must have the latest version of the desktop app (macOS or Windows x64), the latest mobile app, an active Pro or Max subscription, and an internet connection on both devices.

The key idea is that Claude actually runs on the user’s computer via the desktop app, with access to local files, connectors, and plugins configured in Cowork, while the mobile app acts as a remote control surface for assigning tasks. A user can, for example, message Claude from their phone during a commute and then continue the same conversation on their desktop when they arrive at work, with full context preserved. When a task is assigned, Claude processes it on the desktop and returns only the final result—such as a spreadsheet, memo, comparison table, or other artifact—rather than exposing every intermediate step. Outputs that generate files can be accessed either directly on mobile or in the specified locations on the desktop file system.

Getting started involves a guided setup inside Cowork’s “Dispatch” section. After updating both apps, users open Cowork on either device, click “Dispatch” in the side panel, and follow the onboarding flow, which includes a “Get started” page, optional toggles to grant Claude file access and keep the computer awake, and a final “Finish setup” step. Once complete, the Dispatch section becomes the hub for messaging Claude in this continuous thread.

The new workflow enables a range of powerful remote tasks driven from a phone but executed on the desktop. Examples include pulling data from local spreadsheets and compiling summary reports, searching Slack messages and email to draft a briefing document, building formatted presentations from Google Drive files, and organizing or processing files in specific folders. Because Cowork reuses existing connectors, plugins, and file permissions, there is no separate configuration needed for mobile.

Anthropic emphasizes that this feature significantly extends the reach of mobile instructions, since a mobile prompt can now cause Claude on the desktop to read, move, or delete local files, interact with connected services, and even control the browser. This creates a chain of agents (mobile to desktop) where errors, manipulated instructions, or malicious content (for example, a phishing link) could escalate into impactful actions that are hard to reverse. Users are urged to ensure they trust every app and service in the chain, understand which files and accounts are accessible, and know how to quickly disconnect or revoke access before enabling the capability. Anthropic recommends connecting these agents only if users are comfortable with the full range of actions Claude could perform, not just the intended use cases.

The feature is explicitly labeled as a research preview and comes with several limitations.

1. The desktop machine must remain awake and have the Claude Desktop app running;

2. if the machine sleeps or the app closes, Claude cannot execute tasks.

3. Claude currently only responds to user messages and does not proactively reach out or initiate work on its own.

4. All interaction lives in a single continuous thread, with no support yet for multiple threads or resetting the conversation.

5. Finally, there are also no notifications on desktop or mobile when tasks complete, and scheduled tasks are handled separately outside of this continuous thread.

Why this is important

This feature effectively turns Claude into a remote AI operator for your desktop, controllable from your phone, while reusing existing connectors, plugins, and local file access in Cowork. It opens up new mobile‑first workflows, like delegating heavy data processing or document generation to a desktop environment while on the go. At the same time, it raises important safety and security considerations, because mobile instructions can now cascade into powerful actions on a user’s computer and connected services. Anthropic’s emphasis on cautious setup and clear understanding of permissions highlights how AI agents are moving closer to real system control, not just text‑only chat.

Source: Official Claude Post