On March 23, 2026, Anthropic rolled out a new “computer use” capability inside Claude Cowork and Claude Code for Pro and Max subscribers on macOS. The update builds on Dispatch, a feature introduced on March 17, which allows users to assign tasks from their phone and have Claude execute them on their desktop remotely.
Together, the two features turn Claude from a chat assistant into something closer to an active desktop agent.
Felix Rieseberg, the Anthropic engineer who led development for Claude Cowork and Claude Code, described the update on X as giving Claude “the ability to use any app.” He also noted that Claude operates more slowly and deliberately than a human, and that its usefulness increases significantly when paired with Dispatch.
Damilare Odedina
What Claude Computer Use Is and How It Works
When you assign a task in Claude Cowork, the system follows a layered approach.
It first attempts to use existing connectors for services like Gmail, Google Drive, Slack, or Google Calendar. If no connector is available, it moves to the browser. Only when neither option can complete the task does Claude take direct control of your screen.
At that point, it can interact with desktop apps much like a human would.
In practice, this means Claude can prepare a morning briefing while you’re away, make changes in your development environment, run tests, and open pull requests. It can also work across tools without APIs—filling spreadsheets from multiple sources, navigating internal dashboards, or interacting with apps in a simulator and generating feedback.
Dispatch extends this further. You can assign a task from your phone, and Claude will execute it on your Mac and notify you when it’s done. Before computer use was introduced, Dispatch was limited to supported integrations. Now, it can operate across virtually any application on your desktop.
Limitations and Safety Considerations
For now, computer use is only available on macOS, although Anthropic has confirmed that Windows support is coming.
The feature is still early, and more complex tasks may require multiple attempts. Anthropic also recommends avoiding sensitive environments such as banking apps, healthcare platforms, legal documents, or any system containing other people’s personal data.
Because the system works by taking screenshots of your screen, anything visible during a session can be accessed by Claude. Users are advised to close sensitive applications before starting.
How to Set It Up on Mac
- Confirm you are on Claude Pro or Claude Max. Team and enterprise plans do not have access.
- Download the latest version of Claude Desktop at claude.com/download. Update the Claude mobile app as well if you plan to use Dispatch from your phone.
- Open Claude Desktop and go to Settings, then General under the Desktop app section. Find the computer use toggle and switch it on.
- Make sure your Mac stays awake and Claude Desktop stays open.
- Open Cowork or Claude Code and start a session. Assign Claude a task involving a desktop app. Claude will ask for your permission before accessing that app and you must approve each app individually.
- For Dispatch, open Cowork on either device, click Dispatch in the left panel, and follow the steps to sync your phone and desktop. From there you can assign tasks remotely and receive a message when Claude finishes.
Damilare Odedina
