Using Cowork with core-skills

Same skills, no terminal. Claude Desktop's Cowork mode lets you describe tasks in plain language and get the same structured output. Prefer slash commands? See the Claude Code guide.

What is Cowork?

Cowork is a mode in Claude Desktop that lets Claude work autonomously on complex tasks. Instead of a chat, you describe an outcome -- and Claude plans, executes, and delivers finished work: organized files, structured documents, formatted reports.

It uses the same agentic architecture as Claude Code, but wrapped in a visual interface that anyone can use. No terminal, no commands to memorize.

Cowork requires a Pro, Max, Team, or Enterprise plan. Available on Claude Desktop for macOS and Windows.

Cowork vs Claude Code

Two paths to the same outcome

Claude Code (CLI)

  • Terminal-based
  • Slash commands like /ops
  • Skills installed via symlinks
  • Direct file system access
  • Best for developers and power users

Cowork (Desktop)

  • Visual interface in Claude Desktop
  • Describe tasks in plain language
  • Claude plans and executes autonomously
  • Access to local files you grant
  • Best for end users and knowledge workers
1

Get started with Cowork

One-time setup

a

Open Claude Desktop

Launch the Claude Desktop app. At the top you'll see a mode selector -- switch from Chat to Cowork.

b

Grant access to your vault folder

Cowork needs permission to read and write files. Select the folder where your meeting documentation lives (or will live). This is your "vault" -- just a regular folder on your computer.

For example: Documents/my-vault

c

Set folder instructions (optional)

You can add standing instructions for your vault folder, such as:

Folder instructions
This folder is my meeting documentation vault. When processing transcripts, create structured Markdown summaries with sections for key topics, decisions, and action items. Track tasks in _tasks.yaml files. Extract durable insights (decisions, preferences, learnings) to _insights.yaml files. Always add CHANGELOG entries.

These instructions persist across sessions, so Claude knows how to handle your vault every time.

2

Process your first meeting

Describe what you need, Claude does the rest

a

Describe the task

In Cowork mode, write what you want in plain language. No slash commands needed -- just say what the transcript is and what you want out of it:

Process this meeting transcript. Create a structured summary, extract decisions and action items, and add the action items to my task tracker. Here's the transcript from today's team sync:

Sarah: OK let's start with the sprint update. Mike: The new dashboard is deployed to staging, we need QA sign-off before Friday. Sarah: Good, I'll send the updated timeline to the client...
b

Review Claude's plan

Claude will break the work into steps and show you what it plans to do. You approve before it starts:

I'll process this transcript in these steps:

1. Create a structured meeting summary (260307-Team-Sync.md)
2. Add a CHANGELOG entry with key decisions
3. Extract 3 action items to _tasks.yaml
4. Extract insights to _insights.yaml

Shall I proceed?
c

Watch progress and review results

Cowork shows step-by-step progress as Claude creates your files. When done, you'll see the finished documents and can review, edit, or ask for changes.

260307-Team-Sync.md new
CHANGELOG.md updated
_tasks.yaml updated
_insights.yaml updated
3

Everyday workflows in Cowork

Describe the outcome you want in natural language

Morning overview
Create my daily dashboard. Show today's meetings, active tasks, and any preparations I have ready.

Claude scans your vault, finds today's files, and creates a _Dashboard.md with everything you need to start the day.

Meeting preparation
I have a call with David at 14:00. Read my previous conversations with him and create a preparation document with open items and talking points.

Claude reads your history with that contact, finds open action items, and builds a briefing so you walk into the meeting prepared.

After a meeting
Process this meeting transcript. Summarize it, track the decisions, and add action items to my tasks. [paste transcript]

Claude creates the summary, updates the CHANGELOG, imports tasks, and extracts insights -- all in one pass.

Task review
Show me my active tasks across all projects. Mark task 5 as done.

Claude reads your task files, shows a summary, and updates the status as you request.

Batch processing
I have 5 meeting transcripts from this week in the "inbox" folder. Process all of them -- create summaries, extract tasks, and update the CHANGELOG for each.

This is where Cowork shines. Claude can handle multi-step batch work autonomously -- processing multiple transcripts while you step away.

4

Tips for Cowork users

Get the most out of the Desktop experience

  • Keep Claude Desktop open. Cowork needs the app running while it works. If you close it, the session ends.
  • Be specific about outcomes. Instead of "process this meeting", say "create a structured summary with decisions highlighted, add action items to _tasks.yaml, and update the CHANGELOG."
  • Use folder instructions. Set up standing rules in Settings > Cowork so Claude knows your vault structure and preferences every time.
  • Don't clean up transcripts. Paste them raw -- speaker labels, timestamps, filler words, everything. Claude handles messy input.
  • Batch your work. Cowork excels at multi-step tasks. Save up transcripts and process them all at once instead of one at a time.
  • Browse files in Obsidian. Your vault is plain Markdown and YAML. Open it in Obsidian for a great reading and navigation experience between sessions.

Good to know

Privacy and limitations

Your data stays local

All files are created and stored in your local vault folder. Cowork runs in an isolated environment on your machine. Your Markdown files, YAML task lists, and extracted insights never leave your computer.

Current limitations

  • No memory between sessions. Each Cowork session starts fresh. Your folder instructions persist, but Claude won't remember previous conversations.
  • Desktop only. Cowork is not available on web or mobile.
  • Higher token usage. Cowork uses more tokens than regular chat due to its autonomous planning. Best for complex tasks, not quick questions.

Want the full slash command experience? Install Claude Code + core-skills

Learn more about Cowork: Anthropic support docs