Anthropic has introduced a new proactive assistant named Claude Duet. This tool steps up the competition against similar offerings like ChatGPT Dots and Meta Muse. Designed as an always-on agent, the tool manages your tasks across different connected apps and keeps working in the background even when you close the window. The company is rolling this out as a research preview to Pro and Max subscribers in the US.
The agent runs in the background to handle daily tasks
The new agent operates on its own cloud-based computer. This setup allows it to check your emails and calendars without needing you to keep the app open. Because it uses the same memory and connectors as the standard version, you do not have to repeat yourself when switching between devices.
It integrates with payment systems like Stripe to track unpaid invoices. It can even draft payment reminders and use Shop Pay or Link to make purchases after you approve them. The feature is included for free with paid plans, though background tasks will count toward your normal usage limits.
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Anthropic shared specific use cases for the new proactive agent
The company highlighted a few ways people can put this new artificial intelligence to work right now. You can interact with it just like a normal person through typed text or voice messages.
Here are the main use cases described by the team:
- Message it like a person: Your main thread stays in one place so you can pick up right where you left off. You can also start separate channels for different topics that share the same memory.
- Start the day with a brief: Every morning, it checks your email and calendar to highlight what needs your attention. It can even take the first steps by drafting replies for you to review.
- Hand it larger jobs: You describe what you need, and the agent figures out which apps to use. Finished work, like a research brief or a slide deck, appears in a dedicated Make tab for you to review and edit.
- Add plugins: The tool supports different plugins, including one for small businesses, and suggests options that fit your workflow.
- Use websites without a connector: For sites that lack an official connector, the agent uses its own cloud browser to navigate the web.
You can find a Tasks tab inside the app to track ongoing work. It will send updates to your main conversation when it finishes a task or needs a decision from you. Since only users can mark tasks as finished, you stay completely in control of the process.
The introduction of Claude Duet marks a shift in how we interact with digital assistants. Instead of just answering questions, the system now takes action on your behalf. The tool is powered by Claude Opus 5.5 and is available on iOS, Android, and the web. You can join the waitlist today to see how this kind of proactive AI changes your daily workflow.
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