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Automate browser tasks with Claude computer use

Turn on Claude computer use and the built-in browser in Cowork, run one web task with approvals, then put it on a schedule, in about 20 minutes.

By Recaply EditorsIntermediate20 min6 stepsUpdated

A hand rests on an hourglass with a computer mouse beside it, its cord trailing in a loose curve

What you need

Computer use isn't in the Linux beta of Claude Desktop, though the built-in browser is.

  1. Step 1: Turn on computer use

    2 min

    Claude can't open apps or click on your screen until you switch this on.

    1. Update Claude Desktop from claude.com/download.
    2. Open Settings > Capabilities and find Computer use. Not there? Look in Settings > System, under This computer.
    3. Turn on Enable computer use.

    You should see Enable computer use switched on.

    There's no Computer use section anywhere?

    It's a beta for Pro, Max and Ultra on macOS and Windows. Team, Enterprise and the Linux app don't have it yet.

    On macOS 15 or later, Claude works in background windows and leaves your pointer alone. To hand it the screen, set How Claude uses the apps you allow to Full control.

  2. Step 2: Pick the browser Claude drives

    3 min

    Web tasks run in a browser, and you choose whether it's Claude's own or your Chrome.

    1. Open Settings > Cowork and find Preferred browser.
    2. Pick Built-in browser to keep Claude out of your own tabs. Pick Chrome (Claude in Chrome) to work in Chrome with the extension.
    3. The first time the built-in browser opens, click Import cookies and tick only the sites this task needs.

    You should see your preferred browser saved, and the sites you picked signed in.

    Your browser isn't offered for cookie import?

    Import works from Chrome, Edge and Firefox on macOS, and only from Firefox on Windows. Safari isn't supported, so sign in inside the built-in browser instead.

    Banking, email and single sign-on sites start unticked. Logins stay in the built-in browser for later tasks on this computer.

  3. Step 3: Write the task and run it once

    5 min

    One goal, one site and one output file leave Claude less room to guess.

    1. Start a new task. If the message box shows Chat and Cowork, pick Cowork.
    2. In the message box, set the permission setting to Manual (in some versions, Manually approve) for this first run.
    3. Paste the task below, fill in the brackets, and send it.
    4. When Claude asks for folder access, allow only the folder for the result.
    Your task
    Open [SITE URL] in the browser. Find every post published in the last 7 days. For each one, note the title, the date and the link. Save them as a table in a new spreadsheet called weekly-posts.xlsx in [FOLDER]. Only read pages. Don't sign in, post, buy or submit anything.

    You should see Claude's plan, then the browser opening in a panel next to the task.

    Claude says it can't reach the folder?

    Claude only reaches folders you've connected, and only while Claude Desktop is open. Connect the folder when asked, then send the task again.

    Claude tries the most precise route first: a connector, then a browser, then clicks on your screen.

  4. Step 4: Approve sites and apps as Claude asks

    6 min

    Claude asks before it acts on a site or an app for the first time, so each prompt is a checkpoint.

    1. Close any windows with private information. Claude takes screenshots and can see anything on screen.
    2. Read each request, then approve only the sites and apps this task needs.
    3. Watch the first run, and stop the task if anything looks wrong.

    You should see the new spreadsheet in your folder, with a short summary in the task.

    Claude asks for an app you didn't expect?

    Deny it. A click in one app can open another, such as a link in an email that opens in Chrome.

    Trading and crypto apps are blocked by default, and you can add more apps to a blocklist.

  5. Step 5: Check on it from your phone

    2 min

    Tasks follow your account, so you can steer one without sitting at your desk.

    1. Open the Claude app on iOS or Android, signed in to the same account.
    2. Open the task to see its progress, answer Claude's questions or change course.

    You should see the same task on your phone, with a notification when Claude finishes or needs you.

    The task stopped while you were away?

    The browser and your apps run through Claude Desktop. Keep the computer awake and the app open.

    Dispatch, the phone thread in older guides, isn't open to new users. Opening the same task in the mobile app does the job instead.

  6. Step 6: Put it on a schedule

    2 min

    Once a run works, a schedule repeats it without a reminder.

    1. In the same task, ask Claude to repeat it with the prompt below.
    2. Review the proposed name, schedule and instructions, then click Schedule.
    3. Still see the Chat and Cowork switch? Click Scheduled in the left sidebar, then New task.
    Your prompt
    Run this same task every Friday at 4pm. Save a new spreadsheet each week, with the date in its name.

    You should see the task on the Scheduled page, with its next run listed.

    A scheduled run didn't happen?

    Tasks that use your browser or apps run only on your computer. Keep it awake, with Claude Desktop open, at that time.

You get

A web task that Claude runs in a browser on your computer every week, with a fresh spreadsheet each time

Try next

Schedule weekly work summaries with Claude Cowork5 steps · 15 minRedline contracts with Claude for Legal5 steps · 21 minOrganize recurring work with Claude Cowork projects6 steps · 20 min

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