Anthropic Launches Claude Duet to Handle Your Work Before You Ask

Artificial intelligence is moving beyond chat windows. New tools can now contact you first and help with tasks without waiting for you to ask. Anthropic has introduced Claude Duet, a separate AI app designed to handle daily work and keep track of the software you connect to it. Duet uses Anthropic's main Opus 5.5 model. It joins the growing competition with other AI assistants that take action before you ask, including Meta's Muse and OpenAI's Dots.

Updates before you ask and virtual computers that work in the background

Instead of waiting for you to type a request, Claude Duet runs in the background on its own virtual computer, which has a web browser. Every morning, it sends you a short report about your most important tasks. It also checks your apps every few hours and tells you if something needs your attention. It can handle simple office tasks, build web apps, track financial forecasts, and arrange team meetings without needing you to supervise it all the time.

Duet connects to more than 6,000 tools through the Claude Marketplace. These include Gmail, Slack, Shopify's Shop Pay, and Stripe's Link digital wallet. Letting AI read emails and handle payments can be risky, so Anthropic has built strict safety rules into the system. Duet never sees your account passwords. It always asks you to approve an action before sending messages, signing documents, making payments, or deleting files.

Designed for work, not everyday personal tasks

Anthropic designed Duet for freelancers, business founders, and small business owners who have too much routine work to do. The company has openly said that Duet handles work tasks well but struggles with personal errands, such as booking flights or buying concert tickets. This focus on business makes Duet different from Meta's Muse, which is designed for everyday consumers. According to company data reported by Reuters, Muse recently passed 10 million users across the US and Canada.

Research preview, waiting list, and access limits

For now, Anthropic is offering Claude Duet as a research preview for paid Pro and Max subscribers in the US. People must join a waiting list to get access. Duet is available through its website or separate mobile apps for Android and iOS. Anthropic confirmed that Duet uses the same limits as your existing subscription. This means that background app checks and automated tasks count toward your monthly Claude usage allowance.