Claude Duet is Anthropic’s new assistant for work that needs attention while you are doing something else. It can prepare a morning briefing, work through tasks across connected apps, and bring you drafts or decisions to review. It is an early research preview, with access through a waitlist for Claude Pro and Max subscribers in the United States.
Anthropic announced Claude Duet on October 21, 2026. Here is what you can use it for, what it costs, and what to check before joining.
Claude Duet at a glance
| Question | Current answer |
|---|---|
| Who can use it? | US Pro and Max subscribers admitted from the waitlist |
| Where does it work? | A separate iPhone or Android app, plus the web |
| Which model powers it? | Claude Opus 5.5 |
| Does it cost extra? | Included in eligible plans during the preview |
| Does it have separate usage? | No. Background work uses your existing plan allowance |
| Are Team and Enterprise included? | Not in the initial preview |
These details reflect Anthropic’s official Duet product page as of October 22, 2026.
What can Claude Duet actually do?
Duet is built around ongoing work. You can ask it to sort out a task, step away, and receive an update when it has a result or needs your input. It runs on its own cloud computer, so your laptop does not need to stay switched on.
Useful starting points include:
- Getting ready for the day: a briefing drawn from your connected email and calendar.
- Following up: finding unanswered messages or unpaid invoices and preparing replies.
- Making something: putting together a document, presentation, or dashboard for review.
For a first task, give it a clear finish line. An example request could be: “Check tomorrow’s client meetings. Prepare a short brief for each, list anything I need to bring, and leave all emails as drafts.” This makes it easier to judge whether the result is useful.
Claude Duet price: is it free?
Duet is included in Pro and Max during the preview, but that does not make it a feature of Claude’s free plan. You need an eligible subscription and an invitation.
| Plan | Listed US web price | Duet preview access |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Not included |
| Pro | $20 monthly, or $200 billed annually | US subscribers, through the waitlist |
| Max | From $100 per month | US subscribers, through the waitlist |
Prices were checked against Claude’s pricing page on October 22, 2026 and exclude applicable tax. Joining the waitlist does not guarantee immediate access, so do not treat a subscription purchase as an instant Duet invitation.
Why Duet can use up your Claude allowance
Duet’s background activity counts toward the same usage limits as your other Claude work. That includes check-ins and larger jobs. Anthropic says it checks connected accounts every few hours; it is not watching every incoming message in real time.
A short request can lead to several steps behind the scenes. Reading files, checking websites, comparing figures, and building a presentation all require work even when you are not sending more messages.
Start with one defined task and check your consumption afterward. In Claude, open Settings > Usage to review the session and weekly allowances. Anthropic’s usage guidance explains that file size, conversation length, tools, and multi-step tasks affect consumption.
A request such as “Summarize these five invoices in a table; stop after the summary” is easier to control than an open-ended instruction to manage all your accounts.
Claude Duet vs regular Claude
Regular Claude already does more than answer questions. Anthropic combined Cowork and chat, bringing delegated work and scheduled tasks into the main experience. Working after you close the app is therefore not unique to Duet.
| Area | Regular Claude | Claude Duet |
|---|---|---|
| Main approach | Conversations and tasks you start or schedule | Ongoing assistance with briefings and proactive check-ins |
| Conversation | Your existing chats and projects | A main ongoing thread for messages and updates |
| Access | Features vary by plan | Separate research preview with a US Pro/Max waitlist |
If you mainly need an occasional explanation or writing draft, first consider what your existing app already does. Our guide to choosing an AI app by the job you need can help you avoid paying for overlapping tools.
How to join the Claude Duet waitlist
- Open the official Claude Duet page and select Join the waitlist.
- Use the email address associated with your Claude account and complete the requested details.
- Wait for Anthropic’s invitation, then follow its setup instructions for your phone.
Access opens gradually. Follow Anthropic’s setup guide when your invitation arrives. The preview is available on iOS, Android, and the web; a public download alone does not replace the invitation requirement.
Privacy, approvals, and the current limits
Connect only the accounts needed for your task. Duet carries over connected apps from Claude, so review existing connections too. Some connectors have limits, and Microsoft 365 is not available in Duet yet.
Anthropic says Duet asks before sending messages, making payments, signing documents, or deleting items. Its Shop Pay instructions, for example, describe a purchase approval followed by a one-time payment card scoped to the approved amount.
This is still a preview. Duet can misunderstand a conversation or judge urgency badly, and you cannot yet watch or take over its cloud browser. Check names, amounts, dates, and recipients before approving work. Our guide to checking AI-era claims explains how to follow important information back to its source.
Frequently asked questions
Is Claude Duet free?
There is no separate Duet charge during the preview, but it requires an eligible paid Pro or Max plan and waitlist access.
How do I get access to Claude Duet?
Join the official waitlist with your Claude account email. Initial access is for US Pro and Max subscribers; invitations arrive gradually.
Can I use Claude Duet outside the United States?
The initial research preview is limited to the US. Anthropic has not announced a general international availability date.
Does my computer need to stay on?
No. Duet runs on a cloud computer and can continue its work after you close the app or switch off your laptop.
Does Duet use my regular Claude allowance?
Yes. Background checks and delegated tasks share your plan’s limits, so you can reach them sooner than with chat alone.
Can Duet send emails or make purchases without asking?
Anthropic designs Duet to request approval before sending messages or making payments. Review the proposed action before confirming it.