🚀 Getting Started with Claude Cowork

Go from “I’ve heard of Cowork” to running your first autonomous task in under 15 minutes.

⏱️ Time Required: 15–30 minutes (setup + first task) 🛠️ Tool: Claude Desktop (Pro account required)

🎯 What You’ll Get

Claude Desktop installed and ready to go with Cowork enabled
Your first folder connected and secured
A completed file organisation task (run autonomously by Claude)
The confidence to start layering on more advanced Cowork features
A clear understanding of what Cowork can and can’t do right now

✅ Before You Start

💡 Prerequisites:

A Claude Pro account ($17/month) — you need this for Cowork access

A Mac or Windows (x64) computer

Google Chrome installed (for web browsing tasks later)

A messy folder you’d love someone else to organise (Downloads, Screenshots, Invoices — pick your poison)

🗺️ How It Works

Step	Action	Type	Time
1	Download and install Claude Desktop	Setup	~3 min
2	Open Cowork and choose your working folder	Setup	~2 min
3	Run your first file organisation task	Prompt	~5 min
4	Review what Claude built for you	Review	~2 min
5	Level up — create files and spreadsheets	Prompt	~5 min
6	Add web browsing with Claude in Chrome	Setup	~5 min
7	Explore plugins, connectors, and projects	Explore	~5 min

📋 Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Download and Install Claude Desktop

What this step achieves: Gets you off the web version and onto the desktop app where Cowork actually lives.