Starting today, Anthropic is merging Claude Cowork and chat into a single interface, eliminating the need for users to choose where tasks belong. According to the company, Claude can now determine what a task requires and make capabilities from Cowork and Design available across any conversation, with access to existing context, skills, and connectors.
The update introduces three new features in beta on paid plans. Claude Docs allows users and Claude to write documents together. Claude Slides enables Claude to draft presentations that users can edit, present directly, or download as PowerPoint or PDF. Claude Design, previously a standalone tool, now works within conversations alongside these new features.
Anthropologic built Cowork as a separate space for larger projects and Design for visual work, but users indicated that deciding which tool to use for a given task was frustrating. Additionally, work started in one tool didn’t transfer to the other. The company responded by consolidating these capabilities.
The unified interface supports workflows where users can request complex outputs in a single conversation. For example, a user can ask Claude to write a weekly report, flag issues, and create five slides for a leadership meeting—all from one prompt. Claude can ask clarifying questions if needed and users can monitor progress from their phone. Both outputs emerge from the same conversation, ensuring consistency between documents and slides.
Users retain control over Claude’s autonomy. By default, Claude asks before taking actions. Users can adjust settings to let Claude continue working while only checking in when something requires closer attention. Users maintain final approval over all work.
Content created with Claude Design, Slides, or Docs is accessible through a single shareable link across devices. Users can edit elements directly or request changes via text.
The rollout begins with Pro and Max plans on Claude’s web, desktop, and mobile apps over the coming weeks. According to Anthropic, Team and Free plans will follow soon, and Enterprise admins will receive at least 30 days’ notice before changes affect their organizations. Users on existing paid plans have nothing to enable; the changes are automatic. Those primarily using chat can continue unchanged and try the new features when working on larger projects.
Key facts
- Claude Cowork and chat are merging into one unified interface
- New Claude Docs feature allows collaborative document writing within conversations
- Claude Slides enables presentation creation directly in chat, downloadable as PowerPoint or PDF
- Claude Design now integrates into conversations rather than functioning as a separate tool
- Rollout begins with Pro and Max plans on web, desktop, and mobile over coming weeks
- Team and Free plans to follow; Enterprise admins receive 30 days notice before changes