Claude Cowork Full Tutorial: How to Use Claude Cowork Better Than 99% of People

Hello legends. In this video, I'm going to teach you how to use Claude Co-work better than 99% of other people. We'll

understand what Claude Co-Wowork actually is and how it differs to claude chat and claude code so that we can understand the best use cases for each of these products. We'll look at setting up Claude Co-work for the very first

time, including understanding what plans we'll need, how to get the desktop app, how to give access to our first folder, and set up an appropriate structure, including persistent MD files that will touch every new task that we work on.

And then we'll end by looking at skills, plugins, and schedule tasks. These are

all extended capabilities which give Claude Co-work more autonomy to complete tasks for you. Co-work is an agentic desktop tool built into the Claude desktop app. It gives Claude direct read

desktop app. It gives Claude direct read and write access to folders on your computer and the ability to execute multi-step tasks autonomously. Gives it

the capacity to spin up parallel sub aents for complex work. CL will then make a plan, break it up into subtasks, and then execute those subtasks in a virtual machine on your computer. It'll

then deliver the finished files onto a folder in your computer. Now, keep in mind that co-work isn't a conversation.

It's strictly task delegation. You can

step away and come back to the completed work. This is one of the best examples

work. This is one of the best examples to show how autonomous Cloud Co-work is.

On my desktop, I have a number of random invoices. These are all just chat GPT

invoices. These are all just chat GPT generated invoices, but they can represent multiple purchases you make in the course of running your business.

Now, let's say I had a 100 invoices that I wanted to organize and summarize in an Excel spreadsheet. Instead of going

Excel spreadsheet. Instead of going through each invoice one by one, I'm going to get Claude Co to give me a hand. I have a number of invoices in the

hand. I have a number of invoices in the attached folder. Can you please sort

attached folder. Can you please sort them and organize them into subfolders split by category? And then can you create me an Excel sheet that lists every invoice separated by category,

total, tax, and subtotal. Let's now find that folder, invoices demo, and let's always allow. Let's hit go and get

always allow. Let's hit go and get Claude to work on our invoices. We can

already see Claude is getting to work.

It's accessed all those different invoices that we had in the folder, and it's created a task list to actually go through our request. It's going to categorize the invoices into subfolders, move the invoices around, then create an

Excel spreadsheet, logging all the invoice data. And now Claude has

invoice data. And now Claude has finished all the tasks for this session, including categorizing each invoice into a folder, and then giving us an output summary in an Excel sheet. And if we open up that Excel sheet, we can see a

really neat and tidy summary of each of the five invoices. Claude was able to read each invoice one by one and extract the key details and then run an overall summary across all five invoices. And

one of the most interesting things about Claude and Excel is that it can actually read and write Excel formulas which means it never hallucinates the total values. So far we just ran through a

values. So far we just ran through a relatively simple process with Claude Co-work where we gave it access to a folder and files on our computer and got it to help us process that information.

But Cloud Co also has access to different capabilities including things like skills and schedule tasks. Now, as

we know, a skill is a way for us to build a repeatable AI workflow. In this

case, we got Claude to analyze all the invoices on our folder, categorize them, and then create a spreadsheet for us.

Let's say we had a process where we upload another five or 10 invoices into this folder every single week. Instead

of having a conversation and prompting up for the exact same steps, we can turn this process into a reusable skill. Turn

this process into a reusable skill using your skill creator tool. I want to be able to execute this skill by using forward slash summarize invoices. And I

want the skill to be able to go into the folder, look at all the new invoices, categorize them, and then log them in the Excel spreadsheet. Now, let's get Claude co-work to turn this into a repeatable process. This is one of the

repeatable process. This is one of the best ways to get Claude to create new skills for you. Instead of using some pre-built skill or finding skills on the internet, you actually just complete the work that is most pressing to you and

then get Claude to turn that pressing work into repeatable task. And as we can see, every time we give new work to Claude, it actually creates a task list and goes through it one by one. We can

see the full progress of what is going on step by step. Here we have another feature of Claude co-work spin off multiple tasks in parallel.

This means Claude co-work can actually produce massive amounts of work in a short period of time. While we wait for Claude to create that skill for us, let's speak about the differences between Claude chat, Claude code, and Claude co-work. Claude chat is a prompt

Claude co-work. Claude chat is a prompt response system. It's all about you

response system. It's all about you asking a question and then Claude giving you an answer. When you use Claude chat, you're always in the loop. This is a great go-to solution for the short five or 10 minute bursts of questions that

you have. Stuff like answering

you have. Stuff like answering questions, brainstorming, and writing drafts. Claude Code is a more autonomous

drafts. Claude Code is a more autonomous version of Claude Chat. It is made specifically for developers. It runs in your terminal. It writes code. It

your terminal. It writes code. It

executes commands. And it can manage GitHub repos. It's incredibly powerful

GitHub repos. It's incredibly powerful if you can write code and it's not very accessible if you can't. As we just saw with our Claude Co-work example, Cloud Code can also access files on your computer. Cloud Co is the middle ground.

computer. Cloud Co is the middle ground.

It's for non-technical operators. It has

the same autonomous execution power as claude code, but it works through a visual interface that has folders and files instead of a terminal with code and commands. The best way to think

and commands. The best way to think about it is that Claude chat is an assistant who answers questions. Claude

code is a developer who builds software.

And then claude co-work is an employee who can complete tasks. For most

business owners, Claude Co-work is the game changer. If you look at the

game changer. If you look at the previous example of how we processed five invoices, let me show you a really good comparison of Claude Code versus Claude Co-work. From the moment that we

Claude Co-work. From the moment that we wrote this first prompt and had Claude co-work go through each of these five invoices, it was actually consuming tokens to process the invoice. Which

means if we had 100 invoices in that folder, we might actually run through our session limit of tokens analyzing that entire folder. And while Claude Code is more technical, we could actually save a lot of tokens by

building an app where we can drop invoices into that app and then have a manual script parse each of the invoices and add them to an Excel sheet. So,

wouldn't it be awesome if we could save tokens by writing a script and giving it to Claude Co-work? And that's where skills come into play because we can get Claude Co-work to create a script for us to parse each of those invoices. We can

then take that script and insert it into a skill. And as we know, a skill is a

a skill. And as we know, a skill is a reusable AI workflow. So then every time we upload new invoices, we're not using tokens. We're just using the script. Now

tokens. We're just using the script. Now

this is possible because cloud codework is actually built on top of the same framework as claude code. So we can still do a lot of the same work that cla code does but in a more visually appealing interface. Now there have been

appealing interface. Now there have been a number of improvements to skills in recent weeks where the first version of skill would just create a process for you. But now the second version of

you. But now the second version of skills actually evaluates that process against a set of criteria. It gets you involved into the mix so that you can optimize that skill before you actually deploy it into production. This gives

you much higher results and more consistent output. We're not going to be

consistent output. We're not going to be looking at the updates of skills in this video. Let's wrap up creating that

video. Let's wrap up creating that skill. And now our skill is ready to go.

skill. And now our skill is ready to go.

So, let's copy to our skills. And here's

that process installed into our skills tab. So, at this stage, we've given

tab. So, at this stage, we've given Claude Cowork access to files on our computer and it's completed a task for us. We've now turned that task into a

us. We've now turned that task into a repeatable skill. And now it's time for

repeatable skill. And now it's time for us to turn that repeatable skill into a scheduled process that runs every week like clockwork. Thank you. That skill is

like clockwork. Thank you. That skill is now live. Can you please create a

now live. Can you please create a scheduled task that runs that skill every Monday at 9:00 a.m. And here we have Claude Cowork took that skill and attached it to a scheduled task. We can

see the task runs every Monday at 9:00 a.m. exactly as requested. And if we

a.m. exactly as requested. And if we drill into the details, we can see a clear outline of exactly how to execute this task. Once we're happy, let's

this task. Once we're happy, let's approve the schedule. We can now view and manage all of our scheduled tasks using this tab. And here is our Monday invoice summary scheduled task. Now,

it's important to note that scheduled tasks only operate when your Claude desktop app is open and your computer is turned on. If you want, you can get

turned on. If you want, you can get Claude Co-work to constantly keep your computer awake. I'm not sure I would

computer awake. I'm not sure I would recommend you to do this, but this is an easy way to keep that scheduled task running. Now that we understand what

running. Now that we understand what Claude Co-Work is and are hopefully excited to use it, this is how to set it up. You'll first need to use a paid

up. You'll first need to use a paid Claude account. You will not be able to

Claude account. You will not be able to use Claude Co-work on the free tier, but you'll be able to use it on the pro or max. I recommend starting with the pro

max. I recommend starting with the pro account and then if you run into many usage limits, it means you can build a business case and opt for the max. For

this specific use case, the main difference between pro and max is largely the usage limit. The pro is great for regular to medium use, but if you are a frequent or a power user, you can get five times more limits by going

to the max plan. After you have a paid Claude account, it's time to download the Claude desktop app. Claude Coowwork

currently only works in a desktop app.

You cannot use it in a browser and you cannot use it on your phone. So after

you have your paid account, go across to cloud.com/d download and then download

cloud.com/d download and then download the correct version for your computer.

In my case, I've got a Mac laptop. So I

downloaded the Mac OS version. Now that

you have the desktop app installed, it's time to create our first working folder.

Let's click on work in a folder drop down to choose a different folder and create a new folder called Claude Workspace. Claude will be able to access

Workspace. Claude will be able to access all the files and subfolders directly in this folder. It'll be able to read,

this folder. It'll be able to read, write, and edit any file in this folder.

I recommend when you're first getting started with Claude Co-work to keep duplicates of any important files in case they're accidentally deleted. Let's

click on always allow. Now, for this next section, I recommend you watch what I do, but then you personalize it for your specific use case. The two most important things are for us to create a dedicated folder structure from the start so that whenever we work on new

projects, they can be added neatly into our workspace. And then we also want to

our workspace. And then we also want to create a set of MD files that describe who we are and what kind of goals we have so that every time we start a new task or a project, we can preload that important information. I've just given

important information. I've just given you access to a completely empty folder.

This is going to be your workspace for all new projects that we work on. Please

start with a folder structure of context, projects, and output. Within

the context folder, put all of our standing context files. In the projects folder, put all active projects that we're working on. And in the outputs folder, put all the work that you deliver. Now, as Claude executes that

deliver. Now, as Claude executes that prompt, we're going to see the subfolders added into this folder. And

here we go. Here's the four new subfolders. In addition to creating all

subfolders. In addition to creating all those folders, Claude also created readme MD files to explain what each of those folders is responsible for. I want

you to now help me create three different MD files. An about me MD file, which included information about who I am, what I want to do, and what my current priorities are. Next, a brand

voice MD file. This explains how I communicate, what tones and phrases I like to use, what phrases I don't like to use, and examples of my actual writing so that when you create content

for me, it sounds like me. And finally,

I want to create a working preferences.md file. This file explains

preferences.md file. This file explains how I want you to work. For example, how we start and manage new projects and tasks, how we complete work, where we store it, how we log it. For each of

these separate MD files, I want you to ask me multiple questions. so that you can get all the information that you need and then you can go off and create these MD files and store them in our folder. And now we have Claude asking us

folder. And now we have Claude asking us a bunch of follow-up questions to fill out the information for those MD files.

Like I mentioned before, use this as a starting point. If you copy exactly what

starting point. If you copy exactly what I do, that's totally fine. Just as you use Claude Co-work for the next few days and weeks, make sure that you update these files so they reflect more accurately the type of work that you

want to do. For example, I do a lot of work with YouTube. I research videos, I plan videos, and I create videos. That

will be a separate folder, MD file, and probably a bunch of skills and plugins that I would use to help me with YouTube. The final thing we want to do

YouTube. The final thing we want to do is add some global instructions. Let's

go into our settings panel, then go into Cloud Co-work, and then edit your global instructions. Here's an example set of

instructions. Here's an example set of global instructions you can apply. These

are highle preferences that you want Claude Co-work to review every single time it starts a new task or a project.

One of the most important things is telling Claude co-work to read the associated context and MD files so that it is less forgetful, needs less guidance, and can be more effective.

When you're ready, make sure to save. I

now want to spend the last few minutes speaking about skills, connectors, and plugins. These are all capability

plugins. These are all capability extenders for Cloud Co-Work. As we know, a skill is a way for us to build a reusable AI workflow. A connector is a way for us to get Cloud Co-work to operate within different apps that we

use, for example, Gmail, Slack, or Drive. And finally, we have plugins.

Drive. And finally, we have plugins.

Plugins are collections of skills and connectors and is how Cloud Co-work can automate an entire role. For example,

when you hire someone new to your company, you give them a playbook, the five or 10 most common processes and tools they're responsible for using and managing. Much in the same way, you can

managing. Much in the same way, you can turn that playbook into a plug-in using various skills and connectors. And

therefore, Cloud Co-work becomes that autonomous employee. And since we can

autonomous employee. And since we can use schedule tasks and we can connect skills into those scheduled tasks, this autonomous employee can now complete work without you asking it to. Let's

look at a good example that fuses skills and connectors together. Let's go into connectors and let's add a new connector. I already have my most

connector. I already have my most popular tools connected like Gmail and Google Drive. When I'm trying to do

Google Drive. When I'm trying to do sales outreach, I use a tool called Apollo. Let's click on connect and then

Apollo. Let's click on connect and then follow the authentication process to connect that skill. Let's authorize the connection. Once you have the connector

connection. Once you have the connector authorized and added to your account, you now have the fine grain ability to set different permissions for the read and write capabilities of this tool. For

example, in read, you can search for contacts and you can either make this always allow, needs approval, or blocked. And you can go through these

blocked. And you can go through these one by one until you're happy with your permissions. Now that we have the Apollo

permissions. Now that we have the Apollo tool connected, we can go ahead and create some new skills. Like we saw before, we can either go through, use the Apollo tool, and then turn whatever process we do with Claude Co-work into a

skill. But I'm going to try and bypass

skill. But I'm going to try and bypass that entire process and see if there's any plugins available for Apollo. Let's

go into our plugins and browse the plugins. Looks like there's an Apollo

plugins. Looks like there's an Apollo plugin available. Let's click into this.

plugin available. Let's click into this.

So this plugin is created and managed by Apollo.io and it includes three different skills. An instant lead

different skills. An instant lead enrichment skill, a prospecting skill, and then a sequence loading skill. So

using this plugin, you can find new leads, enrich the leads, and then add them into sequential emails. Let's go

ahead and install this. Let's click on manage. And over here we can see the

manage. And over here we can see the anatomy of this skill. We can see the included skills which explain to Claude the official ways to actually use this connector and perform sales tasks. And

then we have the connectors tab which we already have Apollo connected. Let's

give one of these skills a go. I'm going

to use the prospecting skill and let's try this in a chat. Find me new leads for my AI agency company. I'm going to keep it super high level and make sure I choose my folder cla workspace and let's

go. And even though my request was very

go. And even though my request was very vague, the skill had some built-in follow-up questions so I can build a better profile of the leads I want to find. Thank you very much for watching

find. Thank you very much for watching this video. I hope you now have a bunch

this video. I hope you now have a bunch of new ideas for how to use Cloud Co-work to become a more effective human. All right. See you in the next

human. All right. See you in the next one.