Setting Up Cowork — It Takes Less Time Than You Think
Setting Up Cowork — It Takes Less Time Than You Think
A practical guide to bringing Claude into your real workflows, decisions, and connected tools.
- Download and install Claude Cowork
- Sign in and switch to Cowork mode
- Select workspace folder and confirm
Getting started with Claude Cowork doesn't require an IT department. If you can install an app on your phone, you can set this up.
Step 1: Download the Claude desktop app
Cowork runs inside the Claude desktop app, which is available for Mac and Windows. Go to claude.ai and download the app — it installs like any other program.
Step 2: Sign in
Use your Claude account to sign in. If you don't have one, creating an account is free and takes about two minutes.
Step 3: Switch to Cowork mode
Once you're in the app, look for the Cowork option. Click it to enter Cowork mode.
Step 4: Select your workspace folder
A dialog will appear asking you to choose a folder. Pick a folder where you want Claude to read and save files. Done. You're in.
⚠️ Good to know: Cowork is currently a research preview — some features are still being developed. The interface may look slightly different as updates arrive.
Download from claude.com/download.
Sign in and switch to Cowork mode.
Select the workspace folder.
Ask Claude what files it can see.
In case you hear this term out there...
Research preview — An early version of a product that's available to try, but still being tested and improved.
Desktop app — A program you install on your computer. Claude has both — the desktop app and a web version.
✦ Setup takes under 5 minutes: download the app, sign in, enable Cowork, pick your folder.
✦Key Takeaway: Setup takes under five minutes. Download, sign in, pick your folder, and you are ready.
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