Getting Started6 min read

Getting Started with Claude Cowork: A Guide for Knowledge Workers

New to AI automation? This beginner-friendly guide walks you through setting up Claude Cowork and running your first automated workflows.

Published on January 8, 2026

What is Claude Cowork?

Claude Cowork is an AI assistant that can work autonomously on your Mac. Unlike chatbots that wait for each prompt, Cowork can execute multi-step tasks while you do other things.

Who Is It For?

Claude Cowork is designed for knowledge workers who:

  • Spend hours on repetitive computer tasks
  • Need to organize, process, or create documents
  • Want to automate without learning to code
  • Use a Mac with Apple Silicon

Getting Started

Step 1: Check Requirements

  • Mac with M1, M2, M3, or M4 chip
  • macOS Sonoma or later
  • Claude Pro ($20/mo) or Max ($100/mo) subscription

Step 2: Install Claude Desktop

Download from claude.ai/download and install.

Step 3: Enable Cowork

Look for the Cowork option in Claude Desktop settings.

Step 4: Start Simple

Try a basic task first:

List all files in my Downloads folder and sort by size

Step 5: Build Up

Once comfortable, try more complex tasks:

Organize my Downloads folder by file type into subfolders

Your First Week

Day 1-2: Simple file operations Day 3-4: Document creation Day 5-7: Multi-step workflows

Full tutorial →

Ready to Get Started?

Put these tips into practice with Claude Cowork.