Anthropic Launches Claude Duet to Automate Business Tasks for Professionals

Anthropic has officially entered the crowded field of personal productivity software with the release of Claude Duet. The company aims to capture user attention by offering an AI agent specifically designed for professionals and small businesses. This move positions the new tool as a direct competitor to established players in the market, including Meta Muse, OpenAI Dots, Hark, Instinct, Grok Bot, and Fo. By targeting business use cases, Anthropic is signaling a shift in its strategy toward tools that manage complex workflows rather than just answering simple questions.

The core claim behind Claude Duet is its ability to automate and manage tasks for users who are not looking for a general-purpose life assistant. Anthropic explicitly distinguishes Duet from personal agents like Instinct. The company notes that Duet is not optimized for handling everyday errands or booking tickets. Furthermore, it does not provide a live view of its browser usage, a feature found in some competing products. Instead, the agent focuses on building daily briefings, creating data dashboards, and suggesting specific actions based on the information available to the user.

Functionally, Duet operates by completing tasks in the background through its own virtual machine. This allows users to continue with their other work while the agent processes information. It will return to the user only when approval is needed for specific steps. This proactive approach means the system monitors ongoing tasks and delivers recommendations as they become relevant. The technology is built on the Claude Opus 5.5 model, which powers its decision-making capabilities and interactions.

Connectivity is a major feature of the new app. Duet can link to more than 6,000 connectors and plug-ins available in the Claude Marketplace. This wide range of integrations allows the agent to interact with various professional tools. Additionally, the system can make online purchases on behalf of users. It supports transactions through Stripe’s Link digital wallet or Shopify’s Shop Pay, facilitating e-commerce tasks without requiring constant manual input.

Despite its capabilities, Anthropic has set clear boundaries to ensure safety and user control. Sensitive steps, particularly those involving payments, require explicit user approval. The agent is not authorized to trade securities or move money between different accounts. To further protect user data, the company released a new classifier that checks each message to prevent sensitive information from leaking out. By default, the agent is programmed to turn down requests that ask for credit card numbers or government identification documents.

Claude Duet is currently available in a research preview for Pro and Max customers. Users can access the tool through the iOS and Android apps, or via the web interface at Claude.ai. However, it is not open to the general public yet. Interested users must join a waitlist to gain access to the platform. This phased rollout allows Anthropic to manage server load and gather feedback from early adopters before a wider release.

The launch of Duet reflects a broader market shift toward AI agents that work on behalf of users rather than just assisting them. Many of Anthropic’s rivals are also focusing on business use cases, with Meta offering a small business version of Muse and OpenAI integrating Dots with professional tools. As the market matures, the distinction between personal and professional agents is becoming a key differentiator for consumers and businesses alike.