Three modes of the Claude desktop app

The Claude desktop app offers three ways to work: Chat, Cowork, and Code. Each is optimized for a specific type of task. Chat is the same Claude you know from Claude dot ai, plus additional capabilities that are available only in the desktop app. Cowork and Code run on the same engine — both are powered by Claude Code technology. Both modes are local: they can read and write files, execute commands, and work with tools on your computer. The difference between them is in scale and interface: Cowork is built for general knowledge work, Code is for software development. Each mode shows exactly what matters for the corresponding work and gives control where it is needed. The choice of mode depends on what you need to do: quickly discuss an idea, create a complex document, or write code.