Anthropic has turned its Claude Chrome side panel into a full Cowork session.This main update allows browser tasks and chats to move smoothly across all Claude platforms.Users can now begin a task inside a web browser and finish it anywhere else without losing context.
The firm announced this update as part of a move to boost task mobility.Chats started inside the Chrome side panel now save straight to your main account logs.You can quickly open those chats again on the Claude desktop program, web page, or mobile app.
Your active account skills and online tools now work right inside the web browser without any extra setup steps.Claude in Chrome can view your open page and act on it directly.It uses your active browser logins to complete complex web tasks.
The updated tool can click links and move between web pages with ease.It can also enter text and fill out online forms automatically.Anthropic shared an example workflow to show how this works in practice.A user can ask Claude to pull invoice facts from vendor sites and make a spreadsheet.The user can then open that same chat on a desktop app.From there, they can add local files or check data against past budgets.
This update fixes a large gap in past web setups.Before this change, side panel chats stayed separate from other Claude apps.Vital context was lost when you switched tools.Now, each session stays connected and accessible everywhere.
Anthropic recently showed an in-app browser for its coding tools that uses a separate profile.In contrast, this Chrome extension operates directly inside your active web accounts.That design choice gives the AI direct access to your online work tools.
However, web AI tools face real online security risks.Anthropic warned that browser agents are open to prompt injection attacks.These threats happen when bad actors hide harmful commands inside web text.
To guard users, Anthropic built key safety steps into the app.A safety check reviews large actions when automatic approval is turned on.Claude will always stop to ask for your permission before high-risk steps.It requests approval before buying items or sharing private user data.Anthropic noted these rules cut down risk, though no safety plan is completely perfect.
The new Cowork side panel feature is available now for Max and Team plan holders.Pro tier subscribers will gain access to the update over the next few weeks. Enterprise account managers have full control over usage. They can turn the tool on and limit AI web use to safe company sites.
Currently, Claude in Chrome only runs on standard desktop Chrome.It does not support mobile browsers or other Chromium tools yet.
This release marks a clear step forward for browser automation tools. By keeping work connected across desktop and mobile screens, Claude helps people complete tasks faster and smarter everywhere.
