Claude brings hands-off automation to your desktop
Anthropic has rolled out a research-preview feature that lets Claude’s Code and Cowork tools autonomously use your computer to complete tasks. According to Anthropic’s announcement, the assistant can open files, navigate web pages, launch apps, and run developer tools "with no setup required," enabling users to have the AI perform work even while they're away from their machine.
What this means — For developers, power users, and teams, this capability turns Claude into a practical automation partner. Routine chores like opening project files, running builds, grabbing web data, or orchestrating multi-step workflows can be delegated to the assistant, freeing humans to focus on higher-level thinking and creative problem solving.
Safety and availability — Anthropic is releasing the feature as a research preview for Claude Pro and Max subscribers, and it currently supports macOS only. The company emphasizes safety by requiring the user to grant explicit permission before Claude can control a computer, reflecting a cautious, user-centric rollout as they gather feedback and refine controls.
Why this is a win — By embedding autonomous computer use into Code and Cowork, Anthropic is making AI-driven productivity more tangible and immediate for real workflows. Early access to Pro and Max users will provide valuable real-world insight that can accelerate responsible adoption and unlock significant time savings across software development and daily computer tasks.