- Anthropic launched Dispatch on March 23, 2026, allowing Claude users to assign tasks from their phone and have Claude execute them on their Mac using direct computer control.
- Computer Use lets Claude open applications, navigate browsers, click, scroll, and run developer tools on macOS without any setup required.
- The feature is available as a research preview for Claude Pro and Max subscribers, with macOS as the only supported platform.
- Anthropic warns the system is early-stage, recommending users avoid sensitive data and start with trusted applications.
What Happened
Anthropic released two connected features on March 23, 2026: Computer Use and Dispatch. Computer Use gives Claude the ability to directly control a Mac by pointing, clicking, scrolling, and navigating the screen. Dispatch lets users assign tasks to Claude from their phone, maintaining a continuous conversation across mobile and desktop devices.
The combination means a user can send Claude an instruction from their phone while commuting, and Claude will execute it on their desktop computer at home or in the office. When the user returns, the completed work is waiting for review. No additional setup or configuration is required beyond having the Claude desktop application running on a Mac.
The features are available as a research preview for Claude Pro and Max subscribers. The desktop application must remain awake and running for Computer Use to function, and users need to pair the desktop app with the Claude mobile app to use Dispatch.
Why It Matters
Computer Use represents a shift from AI assistants that generate text to agents that take action on a user’s behalf. Rather than telling a user what steps to follow, Claude now performs the task directly. This includes opening files and applications, navigating web pages, filling out forms, and running developer tools across the desktop environment.
The cross-device workflow introduced by Dispatch changes how users interact with AI assistants. Tasks can be delegated asynchronously from a mobile device, eliminating the need to be physically present at a computer. A user can assign research, data entry, file organization, or browser-based workflows from their phone and retrieve the finished results later on their Mac.
For developers, Computer Use offers a practical fallback when direct API integrations are not available. Claude reaches for precise tool connectors first, such as Slack or Google Calendar integrations, but when those connectors do not exist for a given application, it falls back to screen-level control. This makes Claude functional with legacy software, internal tools, and niche applications that lack APIs.
Technical Details
Claude’s Computer Use operates at the screen level, interpreting visual elements to navigate interfaces. The system processes what is displayed on the monitor and translates task instructions into mouse movements, clicks, keyboard inputs, and scroll actions. It reads text, identifies buttons and form fields, and determines navigation paths through unfamiliar interfaces by analyzing the visual layout.
The architecture prioritizes structured tool connectors over screen control. When a direct integration exists for a service like Slack, Google Calendar, or a file system, Claude uses that faster and more reliable pathway. Computer Use activates only when no connector is available, treating screen interaction as a universal but slower fallback mechanism.
Anthropic built automatic scanning into the system to detect prompt injection attempts. According to the company, “our system will automatically scan activations within the model to detect for such activity.” Certain applications are restricted by default, and Claude must request explicit permission from the user before accessing any new application for the first time. Users can stop Claude’s computer control at any point during execution.
Who’s Affected
The immediate audience is Claude Pro and Max subscribers on macOS who need to automate repetitive desktop tasks or delegate multi-step workflows. Developers testing workflows across multiple applications without available APIs stand to benefit from the screen-control fallback, particularly when working with proprietary or internal tools.
The feature also has implications for enterprise teams evaluating AI agents for workplace automation. Organizations using Claude through Anthropic’s Team plan will be monitoring whether Computer Use can reliably handle complex multi-step workflows involving proprietary internal tools, web applications, and desktop software that lack structured API access.
What’s Next
Anthropic describes Computer Use as a research preview, signaling that the feature is not yet production-ready. The company acknowledges that Claude can make mistakes during screen navigation, complex tasks may require retries, and screen-level control is inherently slower than direct API integrations. Users are advised to start with trusted applications and avoid tasks involving sensitive personal or financial data.
The current limitation to macOS leaves Windows and Linux users without access. Anthropic has not announced a timeline for broader platform support, general availability, or pricing changes related to Computer Use and Dispatch capabilities.
