Anthropic has introduced Claude Duet, a standalone artificial intelligence agent designed to manage workplace tasks, monitor connected applications and provide updates without requiring users to initiate every interaction.
The new assistant, aimed at professionals and small-business owners, is powered by Anthropic's Claude Opus 5.5 model. It is being introduced through a research preview for Claude Pro and Max subscribers in the United States, with access available through a waitlist.
Unlike conventional AI chatbots that primarily respond to user prompts, Claude Duet is designed to operate proactively. It can review information across connected workplace applications, identify developments requiring attention and provide daily briefings summarising relevant updates.
The assistant can also carry out tasks such as scheduling meetings, preparing financial forecasts, creating dashboards and developing web applications. Its cloud-based virtual machine includes a browser, allowing assigned work to continue even when a user's computer is switched off.
Anthropic said Claude Duet can work with more than 6,000 connectors and plugins available through the Claude Marketplace. These include business applications such as Gmail, Slack, QuickBooks and other services used for communication, finance and workplace management.
The company has also incorporated payment capabilities through Stripe's Link digital wallet and Shopify's Shop Pay, allowing users to approve purchases initiated through the assistant.
However, Anthropic has introduced restrictions governing actions that could affect users' accounts or sensitive information. Claude Duet must obtain explicit approval before sending messages, making payments, signing documents or deleting information.
Certain financial activities, including securities trading and transferring money between accounts, remain restricted even when users provide authorisation.
The company has acknowledged that the assistant may occasionally misinterpret conversations or incorrectly assess the urgency of particular tasks. It has also indicated that personal activities, such as booking travel tickets, are not among the system's strongest capabilities during the research preview.
Claude Duet is available through standalone applications for iOS and Android, alongside web access through Claude. The preview currently uses subscribers' existing Pro and Max plan limits, while broader availability has not been announced.
The launch comes as AI developers increasingly introduce assistants capable of performing tasks across multiple applications rather than limiting their functionality to conversational responses.
OpenAI has introduced its Dots agents, designed to pursue ongoing user goals across connected services, while Meta has expanded its AI agent offering through Muse.
Anthropic's approach places particular emphasis on workplace productivity and small-business operations, where users frequently manage information across several software platforms.
The development also highlights growing attention to user permissions, application integrations and transaction safeguards as AI agents take on more operational responsibilities.
Anthropic has not disclosed how many users will be admitted to the initial research preview or when Claude Duet will become available in additional markets.
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