Claude Cowork Cloud Execution
From 6 October 2026, new Claude Cowork tasks on Pro and Max plans run in Anthropic's cloud, and Anthropic says the Only on your computer option will be removed from Settings.
Tool Overview
Features, steps and FAQ below
Features
- ✓ Anthropic says that from 6 October 2026, new Cowork tasks on Pro and Max plans run in Anthropic's cloud instead of on your computer
- ✓ Anthropic says the Only on your computer option in Settings > General will be removed, and says there is nothing you need to set up
- ✓ Anthropic says tasks you already started on your computer stay there, and each shows a note at the top with a button to download its transcript so you can continue in Claude Code
- ✓ Anthropic says scheduled tasks run in the cloud, so they no longer need your computer to be awake
- ✓ Anthropic says Cowork tasks that use files on your computer still need the desktop app open and those files are processed on Anthropic's servers; Cowork sessions and files live with your Claude account and follow you across desktop, web and mobile
How to Use
- Upgrade to a Pro or Max plan to use cloud Cowork tasks
- Start a Cowork task on the Claude desktop app, web or mobile; Anthropic says it runs in the cloud by default
- Keep the desktop app open if you need to work with files on your computer, or use Claude Code in the desktop app if you want work to stay only on your machine
- Set up scheduled tasks for recurring work; Anthropic says they run in the cloud on schedule without any device online
FAQ
What is changing with Claude Cowork?
Anthropic says that from 6 October 2026, new Cowork tasks on Pro and Max plans run in Anthropic's cloud rather than only on a specific device locally.
Is the Only on your computer option still available?
Anthropic says the Only on your computer option in Settings > General will be removed, and there is nothing you need to set up.
What happens to my earlier local tasks?
Anthropic says tasks you already started on your computer stay there and keep running, with a note at the top and a button to download the transcript.
Do scheduled tasks still need a device online?
Anthropic says scheduled tasks run in the cloud, so they no longer need your computer to be awake to run on schedule.
What about using files on my computer?
Anthropic says Cowork tasks that use files on your computer still need the desktop app open and those files are processed on Anthropic's servers; use Claude Code in the desktop app if you want work to stay only on your machine.