Claude Duet is Anthropic’s new proactive AI agent that runs in the background, surfacing tasks and completing work across connected apps. It is available in a research preview to Claude Pro and Max subscribers in the U.S., with access gradually opened via a waitlist. The agent uses Claude Opus 5.5 and can be interacted with by text or voice.
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What Changed
Claude Duet shifts from the traditional prompt‑based model to a proactive workflow. Instead of starting a new conversation for each task, the agent continuously monitors connected services, surfaces items that need attention, and can begin drafting responses or preparing documents while the user is away. It runs on its own cloud computer and is powered by the latest Claude Opus 5.5 model.
Key functional changes include:
- Morning briefs that scan email and calendar for high‑priority items and can draft follow‑up messages.
- Background task execution across more than 6,000 connectors, such as Gmail, Google Calendar, Slack, QuickBooks, Stripe, HubSpot, Docusign, Canva, Shopify, and others.
- Capability to build larger deliverables—research briefs, financial models, slide decks, dashboards, prototypes, and web apps—by determining which tools are needed and returning completed files.
- Built‑in approval gates for consequential actions, requiring user confirmation before sending messages, making payments, signing documents, or deleting data.
- Support for purchases through Stripe’s Link and Shopify’s Shop Pay using a one‑time virtual card.
- Use of a private browser for sites without connectors, though users cannot watch or control the browser during tasks.
Who Gets It and When
Claude Duet is currently in a research preview for Claude Pro and Max subscribers in the United States. Access is being rolled out via a waitlist, and the feature is included in existing Pro and Max plans during the preview. Team and Enterprise plans are not supported at launch.
The target audience is professionals, entrepreneurs, and small‑business owners who juggle multiple systems. Early testers have used it for accounting, customer support, marketing, scheduling, meeting prep, and general business administration.
How to Use It
Using Claude Duet is straightforward once you have access:
- Enable the Duet feature in your Claude account settings.
- Connect the apps you want the agent to monitor (e.g., Gmail, Google Calendar, Slack, QuickBooks).
- Start a conversation with Claude Duet via text or voice on the web, iOS, or Android app.
- Ask it to perform a task—e.g., “Prepare a morning brief,” “Draft an invoice reminder,” or “Create a sales forecast.”
- The agent will run in the background, notify you when a task is complete or needs a decision, and return the finished file or message draft for review.
- Approve any consequential actions when prompted.
What It Means If You Are Choosing Claude
Claude Duet expands Claude’s utility for ongoing work, making it a stronger contender for users who need continuous task management across many tools. Its proactive nature can reduce the time spent manually checking inboxes or scheduling meetings.
However, the feature is still in preview and limited to U.S. Pro and Max subscribers. If you require enterprise‑level support, a full‑time AI agent, or integration with non‑supported connectors, you might consider alternatives such as Microsoft Copilot or Google Workspace AI, which offer broader enterprise plans and longer‑term stability.
FAQ
What happens if I don’t approve a proposed action?
The agent will pause and wait for your confirmation. It will not send messages, make payments, or delete data without explicit user approval.
Can I see the agent’s browser activity?
No. During the preview, users cannot watch or take control of the private browser that Claude Duet uses for sites without connectors.
Will my data be stored permanently?
Claude Duet can search previous Claude conversations for context, but it does not retain new data beyond the limits of your existing Claude subscription. All background activities count against your normal usage limits.
Bottom Line
Claude Duet offers a promising step toward continuous, proactive AI assistance for small‑business workflows. It is best suited for Pro and Max users who need background task automation and are comfortable with a preview feature. For larger teams or those needing enterprise‑grade support, other AI platforms may still be preferable.
Sources
Full guide: Claude Code Review 2026 — Features, Pricing, Setup Guide — plans, prices and alternatives.