Day 2 of 14 · Claude Cowork Challenge
Setting Up Cowork
⏱ 6 min
📊 Beginner
Today you'll get Cowork running on your machine. By the end of this lesson, you'll have Claude Desktop installed, the Cowork tab open, and a dedicated work folder ready for Claude to use.
The setup takes about five minutes. Let's walk through it step by step.
Step 1 — Install Claude Desktop
Cowork lives inside the Claude Desktop app. This is a standalone application, separate from the Claude website. You need it because Cowork accesses files on your local machine — something a browser cannot do safely.
On macOS:
1. Visit claude.ai/download and download Claude for Mac
2. Open the downloaded `.dmg` file
3. Drag Claude to your Applications folder
4. Launch Claude and sign in with your Anthropic account
On Windows:
1. Visit claude.ai/download and download Claude for Windows
2. Run the installer
3. Launch Claude from your Start menu
4. Sign in with your Anthropic account
You'll need a Pro, Max, Team, or Enterprise plan. If you're on the free tier, you'll need to upgrade before Cowork becomes available.
Knowledge Check
Why does Cowork require the Claude Desktop app instead of the web interface?
A
The desktop app has a faster AI model
B
The desktop app is free while the web version is paid
C
The web version doesn't support long conversations
D
Cowork needs local file system access to read and write files on your computer, which browsers cannot safely provide
Cowork's core capability is reading and writing files on your machine. Browsers run in a sandbox that restricts file system access for security reasons. The desktop app can safely request file permissions from your operating system.
Step 2 — Find the Cowork tab
Once you're signed in, look at the left sidebar of Claude Desktop. You'll see two modes:
Chat — This is the familiar Claude conversation interface. You type, Claude responds, back and forth. Great for questions, brainstorming, and quick tasks.
Cowork (Tasks) — This is where the agent lives. When you switch to this tab, Claude gains the ability to execute multi-step tasks, access your files, and work autonomously. The interface changes to show Claude's reasoning and actions as it works.
The mode selector is your toggle between "Claude the conversationalist" and "Claude the worker." You'll use both, but for this course, we'll spend most of our time in Cowork.
I just opened the Cowork tab. What should I do first?
Great — welcome to Cowork! The first thing you'll want to do is set up a **work folder**. This is the folder where I'll be able to read, create, and edit files.
Click the folder icon or look for "Set work folder" in the Cowork interface. I'd recommend creating a new, dedicated folder rather than pointing me at your entire Documents directory.
Something like:
- macOS: ~/Desktop/claude-work
- Windows: C:\\Users\\YourName\\Desktop\\claude-work
Once you grant me access, I can see everything in that folder and its subfolders. Ready to set it up?
↻ Replay conversation
Step 3 — Create your work folder
This step is important, and it's worth being deliberate about it. When you give Claude access to a folder, it can read, edit, create, and organize any file inside it. That's powerful — and it means you should be thoughtful about what you expose.
Best practices for your work folder:
Do create a dedicated folder just for Cowork. Something like `claude-work` on your Desktop or in your home directory.
Do start with a fresh, empty folder while you're learning. You can always add files to it later.
Don't point Claude at your entire Documents or Desktop folder. Too much access too soon. Keep it scoped.
Don't put sensitive files (passwords, financial documents, private keys) in the work folder unless you specifically need Claude to process them.
Think of it like giving a new employee a workspace. Start with a clean desk. You'll add the relevant materials when you have a specific task.
Knowledge Check
What is the recommended approach for setting up your Cowork work folder?
A
Use your existing Documents folder so Claude can see all your files
B
Use a folder on a cloud drive like Google Drive or Dropbox
C
Give Claude access to your entire home directory for maximum flexibility
D
Create a dedicated, new folder specifically for Cowork tasks
Starting with a dedicated folder gives you control over what Claude can access. It's a safety practice — you start small, keep sensitive files out, and expand access only when you have a specific need. You can always add more files or change the folder later.
Step 4 — Grant folder permissions
When you select your work folder in the Cowork interface, Claude Desktop will ask for permission to access it. This is your operating system's standard file permission dialog — the same one any app uses when it needs folder access.
On macOS, you'll see a system dialog asking you to confirm Claude can access the selected folder. Click Allow.
On Windows, you'll see a similar UAC or folder access prompt. Confirm the access.
Once granted, Claude can:
- Read any file in the folder and subfolders
- Write new files (documents, spreadsheets, presentations)
- Edit existing files
- Create new subfolders
- Rename and move files within the folder
Claude will not access files outside this folder unless you explicitly change your work folder or grant additional permissions. The boundary is strict.
I've set up my work folder at ~/Desktop/claude-work. Can you see it?
Yes, I can see your work folder. It's currently empty — a clean slate, which is perfect for getting started.
Here's what I can do in this folder:
- Create new files (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, PDF, and more)
- Read and analyze any files you drop in
- Organize files into subfolders
- Edit existing documents
Try dropping a few files in there — maybe some documents you'd like organized, or just tell me to create something. I'm ready when you are.
↻ Replay conversation
Knowledge Check
Once you grant Claude access to a work folder, what CAN'T it do?
A
Create new Excel spreadsheets in the folder
B
Read PDF files you've placed in the folder
C
Rename and reorganize files within the folder
D
Access files in other folders on your computer that you haven't granted permission to
Claude's file access is strictly limited to the folder (and its subfolders) that you've granted permission to. It cannot reach into other directories on your computer. This folder-permission model is a key safety feature.
Knowledge Check
Which Claude plan do you need to use Cowork?
C
Free tier — Cowork is available to all users
D
Any paid plan — Pro, Max, Team, or Enterprise
Cowork is available on all paid plans — Pro, Max, Team, and Enterprise. It's not available on the free tier because it uses significantly more compute than regular chat conversations.
🛠
Day 2 Complete
"A dedicated work folder is your workspace boundary — it keeps Claude powerful and your files safe."
Tomorrow — Day 3
Your First Task
You'll give Claude your first real task, learn to review its plan, and watch it work — with an example that organizes a messy folder.