Chat, Cowork, or Code: which should I use?
Overview
Most people start with Chat, the everyday assistant for questions, writing, summarizing and analysis. Switch to Cowork when a task spans several files or stages: you describe the outcome, Claude does the work, you review it. Use Code for software projects. Your Syracuse account includes all three at no cost, and you turn Cowork and Code on by requesting them.
Chat, Cowork and Code at a glance
| Use it for | Where it runs | |
|---|---|---|
| Chat | One-step tasks: a question, a draft or a file to analyze | Any browser, the desktop app and the phone app |
| Cowork | Multi-step jobs Claude finishes for you across your files and apps, such as an expense report from receipt photos or a weekly report on a schedule | The desktop app, plus the web and phone app (in beta) |
| Code | Reading and editing the code files in a software project | The desktop app, the web, a terminal (a window for typing commands), VS Code or JetBrains editors |
Turn on Cowork and Code
Request Cowork, Code or both at getclaude.syr.edu/Products (opens in a new tab). Each request includes a short training.
Browser, desktop app or terminal?
Each one runs the same Claude. They differ in what they can reach on your computer and how much setup they need.
| Best for | Files on your computer | |
|---|---|---|
| Browser, at claude.ai (opens in a new tab) | Chat anywhere, with nothing to install. Cowork (in beta) and Code too. | Can't reach them. Upload a file instead. |
| Desktop app (opens in a new tab) | Cowork and Code on your own files | Only the folder you choose, in a protected space |
| Terminal | Programmers | Full access, so it takes setup and care |
To start a Cowork task in the desktop app, choose a folder and describe the result you want. To set up Code in a terminal, see How do I start using Claude Code?
Schedule a task
Cowork and Code can run a task for you on a schedule, such as a report every Monday morning.
In Cowork or Code, click Scheduled in the left sidebar, then New task.
Describe the task and how often it should run: hourly, daily, on weekdays or weekly.
Check the name, schedule and instructions, then save the task.
A task that only needs the cloud, such as a summary of your connected apps, keeps running while your computer is asleep or the app is closed. A task that needs files or apps on your computer, which includes most Code tasks, runs only while your computer is on and awake. To pause, change, run or delete a task, click Scheduled in the sidebar.
Troubleshooting
- Your limit ran out on simple Cowork tasks. A single Cowork task can run many steps, so it uses far more than the same request in Chat. Chat, Cowork and Code share the same usage limits. Keep one-step work in Chat. See usage and limits.
Additional information
- Claude in Chrome needs Cowork turned on first.
- Cowork can read, change and create files in the folder you choose, and permanently delete them once you approve. Pick only the folder you want Claude to work in, and keep a copy of anything important first.
Official links
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