Anthropic recently released a range of interactive tools that are meant to plug into its generative AI chatbot Claude. The disclosure comes on the heels of the introduction of Cowork, a general-function agent tool developed to simplify commonplace workplace duties. All of these advancements enable users to interact directly with multiple applications within the Claude interface. That’s great because it increases productivity and encourages teamwork in workplaces.
Cowork is a powerful new collaborative tool that can be shared access to cloud files and current projects. Anthropic, for their part, will not have the interactive apps available at launch. Don’t worry, they assure us, integration is on its way! The Model Context Protocol (MCP), an open standard introduced in 2024, will support these applications, which include tools for messaging via Slack, generating charts, and accessing cloud files.
With this new feature, users can now assign complex, multi-stage tasks that utilize rich datasets to the community. This ability, when combined, makes for sharp transitions between all fronts. That could mean something as simple as quickly updating a marketing graphic in Figma to accessing specific datasets from a Box instance. Users can enable these tools at claude.ai/directory once they are live.
Anthropic has stated that people should use Cowork very carefully. In fact, their safety documentation recommends users keep a watchful eye on the agent and avoid giving the agent permissions that aren’t required. Specifically, they advocate against wide access to highly sensitive data.
“Be cautious about granting access to sensitive information like financial documents, credentials, or personal records,”
- Company statement
To improve user experience even more, Anthropic emphasizes the value in using a specialized visual interface for different tasks. This method ultimately makes it easier to create, maintain and use data-driven content in a welcoming and user-centered way.
“Analyzing data, designing content, and managing projects all work better with a dedicated visual interface,”
- Anthropic
The introduction of these interactive apps continues the trend towards transparency pioneered by other tech companies. In particular, it reflects OpenAI’s Apps model that debuted in October. By incorporating these developer-focused capabilities into Claude Cowork, Anthropic hopes to help users work and iterate faster.
“Combined with Claude’s intelligence, you can work and iterate faster than either could offer alone,”
- Anthropic
As app integration evolves and simplifies, users are instead prompted to set up specific working folders with Claude. This strategic approach creates a collaborative, data-driven environment without putting sensitive data at unnecessary risk.
“Consider creating a dedicated working folder for Claude rather than granting broad access,”
- Company statement
