WHAT IS CLAUDE COWORK?
Claude Cowork is the concept of setting up Claude as a persistent AI collaborator that knows your business, your style, and your goals — and helps you get more done every day. It's not a specific product; it's a setup method using Claude Projects.
The goal: Open Claude and start working immediately, without re-explaining who you are every session.
STEP 1: SET UP A CLAUDE PROJECT
Claude Projects (available on Claude Pro, $20/month) let you create a persistent workspace with context that carries across all conversations.
How to create one:
- Go to claude.ai
- Click "Projects" in the left sidebar
- Click "Create Project"
- Name it (e.g., "My Business", "Content Work", "Client X")
- Add your Project Instructions (this is your cowork setup)
STEP 2: WRITE YOUR PROJECT INSTRUCTIONS
This is the key step. Write instructions that tell Claude everything it needs to know to work with you effectively. Here's a template:
"You are my AI business partner. Here's everything you need to know to work with me effectively:
ABOUT ME AND MY BUSINESS [Your name], [Role]. I run/work for [BUSINESS NAME], which [DESCRIBE IN 1-2 SENTENCES]. My main customers are [DESCRIBE]. My business model: [HOW YOU MAKE MONEY].
MY GOALS (this quarter)
- [PRIMARY GOAL]
- [SECONDARY GOAL]
- [ONGOING PRIORITY]
MY WRITING VOICE [DESCRIBE YOUR TONE: e.g., "Direct and practical. I never use corporate jargon. I write like I talk. Short sentences. Contractions are fine. I'm British — use UK English."]
MY PREFERENCES
- When reviewing my writing: lead with what works, then suggest improvements
- When I ask for options: give me 3, with a clear recommendation
- When you're unsure what I want: ask one clarifying question before proceeding
- Format: I prefer prose over bullet points unless I ask for bullets
- Never use these words: [LIST ANY WORDS YOU HATE]
CONTEXT YOU SHOULD KNOW [Any other business context: your key clients, ongoing projects, tools you use, constraints, things that matter to you]"
STEP 3: UPLOAD REFERENCE DOCUMENTS
In your Project, you can upload documents that Claude can reference in every conversation:
- Your brand guidelines or style guide
- Your current products/services list with descriptions
- Your target customer profile
- A list of your key clients and their context
- Your current project briefs
Claude can then reference these without you re-explaining them.
STEP 4: BUILD YOUR DAILY WORKFLOW
How to open your Claude Cowork session each morning: "Good morning. Here's my focus today: [BRIEF]. What's on my plate that we haven't resolved yet?"
Or just dive in: "I need to write [THING]. You know my voice and context. Let's go."
Because the Project Instructions carry over, Claude already knows who you are.
STEP 5: SPECIALISED SUB-PROJECTS
Create different Projects for different contexts:
- "Content Creation" — with writing guidelines and content calendar context
- "Client X Work" — with that client's specific context and preferences
- "Personal Productivity" — with your personal goals and routines
Each project is a different version of Claude, tuned for that specific context.
WHAT THIS REPLACES
- 15 minutes of context-setting at the start of every AI session
- Re-explaining your voice and preferences every time you want writing help
- Starting from scratch on every project
- Treating AI as a tool you pick up and put down vs. a genuine working relationship
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