Anthropic launches Claude Duet preview for work tasks and app monitoring

Anthropic introduced Claude Duet on October 21, opening a limited preview of an AI assistant aimed at working professionals and small businesses. The product handles assignments in the background and alerts users to items requiring attention. Access initially requires a US Claude Pro or Max subscription and a waitlist invitation.

Duet uses Claude Opus 5.5 and is available through dedicated Android and iOS apps as well as the web. Anthropic says it prepares morning briefings, reviews connected services periodically and handles assignments such as meeting scheduling, financial forecasting and web app development. Its cloud computer allows work to continue after a user closes the app.

The assistant builds on an existing Claude account, retaining its saved context and integrations. Anthropic says users must approve outgoing messages, payments, document signatures and deletions. That approval process governs how the assistant moves from preparing work to taking action across business services.

The preview comes with restrictions: users cannot watch or control its browser, and Microsoft 365 connectivity is unavailable. Background activity consumes the same usage allowance as regular Claude conversations, so automated checks can leave less capacity for other work. Anthropic plans to expand access to Team and Enterprise subscriptions, but has not specified a launch date; invitations for eligible individual subscribers are being released gradually.