📖 4 min readclaudecoworkdispatchcomputer-usemobile
Claude Cowork — autonomous computer use for knowledge work. Claude Dispatch — mobile-to-desktop workflow layer. How they work, setup, use cases, limitations, and pricing.
Key Takeaways
Cowork: Give Claude a goal and it works autonomously on your computer — files, apps, browser. Jan 2026 research preview
Dispatch: Text tasks from your phone via Claude mobile app → Claude executes on your desktop with full computer control
Both are Mac-only (macOS) and require Claude Max/Pro subscription
Claude Cowork — Autonomous Computer Use
Status: Research preview (January 2026) Availability: Claude Max and Pro subscribers, macOS only
Claude Cowork lets you give Claude a goal and have it work autonomously on your computer — navigating files, using applications, browsing the web, and completing multi-step tasks while you do other work.
How It Works
You: "Research our top 5 competitors' pricing and create a comparison spreadsheet"
Claude Cowork:
1. Opens browser, searches for competitor websites
2. Navigates to pricing pages, extracts data
3. Opens Numbers/Excel, creates spreadsheet
4. Formats, adds formulas, saves to your Documents folder
5. Messages you when done
Use Cases
Task
Description
Research & reports
Gather data from multiple sources, compile into documents
Data entry & migration
Transfer data between systems, clean spreadsheets
File organization
Sort, rename, categorize files across your system
Multi-app workflows
Chain actions across browser, office suite, and tools
Learning & setup
Walk through tutorials, configure software, test setups
Limitations (Research Preview)
macOS only (no Windows/Linux yet)
Requires explicit permission for each new app/website
May struggle with complex UIs or non-standard interfaces
Research preview may have occasional errors — not production-guaranteed
Cannot handle authentication flows that require 2FA/MFA without user intervention
Access & Pricing
Plan
Cowork Access
Claude Pro ($20/mo)
Limited usage (research preview)
Claude Max (100/moindividual,200/mo team)
Extended usage, priority access
API (Computer Use tool)
Pay-per-use via computer_20250124 tool
Claude Dispatch — Mobile-to-Desktop Workflow
Status: Launched March 2026 Availability: Claude Max/Pro subscribers, macOS, Claude iOS app
Claude Dispatch bridges your phone and desktop. Text a task from the Claude mobile app — Claude executes it on your desktop with full computer control.
How It Works
On your phone: "Download Q1 sales data from the dashboard, analyze trends,
and draft a summary email to the team"
On your desktop: Claude Dispatch picks up the task, opens your browser,
navigates to the dashboard, downloads data, analyzes,
drafts the email, and saves as draft for your review.
Use Cases
From Your Phone
On Your Desktop
”Find that presentation from last month and email it to me”
Claude locates and sends the file
”Check if the Q3 report has been updated on the intranet”
Claude navigates, checks, reports back
”Schedule a team dinner for next Thursday at 7 PM”
Claude checks calendars, books reservation
”Download the latest competitor pricing PDFs”
Claude finds, downloads, organizes files
Setup
Install Claude Desktop app on your Mac
Sign in with your Claude Max/Pro account
Enable Dispatch in Desktop settings
On your iPhone, open Claude app → tap Dispatch
Text your task — it runs on your desktop
Security & Privacy
All operations run locally on your desktop
You can review and approve actions before execution
Session recording available for audit
Data never leaves your machine unless explicitly sent
Access & Pricing
Plan
Dispatch Access
Claude Pro ($20/mo)
Limited daily usage
Claude Max ($100/mo)
Extended usage, background execution
Claude Max Team ($200/mo/seat)
Full access, admin controls
Cowork vs Dispatch vs Claude Code — What to Use When
