Claude desktop app — Chat, Cowork, and Code

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.

Chat works great for questions, brainstorming, writing, and troubleshooting in a live dialogue with Claude. If you've already used Claude dot ai, this mode works the same way, but with several important additions due to running natively on your computer. Quick launch: double-pressing the Option key on Mac opens Claude on top of any window you are working in. It responds in a pop-up window, and you don't need to switch from your current app. Screenshots and window sharing: take a screenshot or share a window so that Claude sees exactly what you are looking at. This is faster than describing what is happening on screen. Dictation: say the problem aloud instead of typing. This is convenient when you are thinking aloud, away from the keyboard, or multitasking. Desktop connectors: connect local tools and services so that Claude can work with other apps on your computer.

Claude Cowork is designed for work that requires real effort: gathering information from multiple sources, making decisions about structuring and presenting material, and producing a finished result. Claude can perform several tasks in parallel, working on different parts of a project, so it is able to draw from many sources, synthesize them, and deliver a high-quality result. Key capabilities of Cowork mode: folder access — give Claude a folder on your computer, and it will read the contents, determine what is relevant, and save new files back into that folder. Scheduled tasks — Claude can perform recurring tasks on a schedule: a daily briefing from Slack and calendar, a weekly project update summary. Browser use — connect Claude in Chrome, and it will be able to work with web pages. Plugins — give Claude capabilities it doesn't have by default: up-to-date financial data, specialized databases. Cowork runs in a secure space on your computer. The mode is available to users on Pro, Max, Team, and Enterprise plans.

Code embeds a full-fledged development environment directly into the desktop app, powered by Claude Code. Claude works directly in your codebase: reads existing code, writes and modifies code, executes commands, creates branches, and makes commits. In Code mode, you choose where the work takes place. Locally: select a folder on your computer, and Claude works directly with those files, having access to your local tools, environment variables, and testing setup. Remotely: connect a GitHub repository, and Claude works in a cloud environment. Sessions continue even after the app is closed. Three interaction modes let you control Claude's autonomy. Ask mode: Claude proposes each change and waits for your approval. You review a visual diff and accept or reject each edit. Code mode: Claude applies file changes automatically, but confirms before executing terminal commands. Plan mode: Claude lays out its entire approach before doing anything. You can review and refine the strategy before execution begins.

Choosing a mode depends on the type and scale of the task. Chat is optimized for quick exchanges: exploring ideas, iteratively creating drafts, quick answers, learning through dialogue. Use Chat when a task fits into a single conversation and doesn't require file access or running commands. Cowork is optimized for complex or long-running work: research, analysis, organizing files, creating finished documents and materials. Use Cowork for multi-step research, analysis of large documents, regular routine tasks that can be scheduled. Code is optimized for software development: writing, testing, running, and deploying code. Use Code when working with a codebase directly. It's important to understand that all three modes are the same Claude with the same intelligence capabilities. The difference is only in the interface and the tools available in each mode. Choose the one that best matches the nature of your work right now.