Anthropic has introduced Claude Duet, a proactive AI assistant designed to help professionals and small business owners manage daily tasks, monitor business activities, and complete work across connected applications. Built on the Claude Opus 5.5 model, the agent can operate independently in a cloud-based virtual machine and request user approval before taking sensitive actions.
The new app, announced on October 21, 2026, is available in research preview through a waitlist for US customers subscribed to Claude Pro and Max. It can be accessed through standalone iOS and Android applications or on the web through Claude.ai.
Claude Duet Automates Tasks Across Business Applications
Claude Duet can generate daily briefings using information from users’ emails, calendars, and connected business tools. The assistant can also create dashboards, prepare financial forecasts, draft communications, and identify tasks requiring attention without waiting for specific instructions.
Unlike conventional chatbots, Duet can continue working in the background after users close the application. It operates through its own virtual computer, completing assigned tasks and contacting users when decisions or additional approvals are required.
Anthropic said the assistant supports more than 6,000 connectors and plugins through the Claude Marketplace. These include Gmail, Slack, QuickBooks, Stripe, Shopify, HubSpot, Gusto, and other applications used for business operations.
For example, Duet can identify unpaid invoices, prepare payroll information, draft employment documents, and organize customer communications. It can also prepare presentations, analyze business records, and suggest follow-up actions based on information from connected services.
Anthropic Adds Payment Approvals and Privacy Controls
Claude Duet supports online purchases through Stripe’s Link digital wallet and Shopify’s Shop Pay. However, payments and other sensitive activities require user authorization before the assistant can proceed.
The company has also introduced a security classifier that examines messages to prevent unauthorized disclosure of sensitive information. By default, Duet rejects requests to share credit card numbers, government identification details, and other protected personal data.
Anthropic said the assistant cannot trade securities or transfer money between financial accounts. Users can also manage connected applications and revoke access when necessary.
Claude Duet Competes With Meta Muse and OpenAI Dots
The launch places Anthropic alongside companies developing AI agents that perform tasks across multiple applications, including Meta’s Muse and OpenAI Dots. Other services in this category include Hark, Instinct, Grok Bot, and Fo.
While several competing agents focus on personal activities, Anthropic is initially targeting professional workflows. The company acknowledged that Duet is less capable at tasks such as booking travel or handling personal errands and cannot yet display its live browser activity.
During the research preview, Duet shares the existing usage limits of customers’ Claude subscriptions, including background tasks that consume model capacity. Anthropic also warned that the assistant may misunderstand messages or incorrectly assess which tasks require immediate attention.
Interested users can join the Claude Duet waitlist, with access being released gradually to eligible Pro and Max subscribers in the United States.
Featured image credits: Youtube
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