On July 24, Anthropic officially launched Claude Computer Use and Dispatch — two features that let an AI agent directly control macOS and accept remote commands from a smartphone. A user can type a few words on their phone while on the subway, and the desktop Claude will start sorting tax documents, creating Pull Requests, or monitoring a 3D print job. The result is a closed loop where the phone issues orders and the computer executes them.
Claude Takes Over the Mouse and Keyboard
Computer Use enables Claude to directly manipulate macOS — not through an API or a plug-in, but by actually moving the mouse and typing on the keyboard like a human. It clicks, navigates, opens apps, edits files, and browses the web. However, Anthropic designed a priority order: Claude will first try to use precise integration tools such as Slack connectors or Google Calendar. Only when those tools are unavailable or cannot be used will it fall back to direct screen manipulation.
In terms of permissions, Claude explicitly asks for user approval each time it accesses a new application. Some apps are blocked by default and cannot be controlled by Claude. The system also includes anti-prompt-injection safeguards to prevent malicious websites from tricking Claude into dangerous actions through visual deception. Anthropic admitted that “compared with Claude’s coding ability or text interaction, Computer Use is still in an early stage.” The stability and speed of the interface remain for users to judge.
Dispatch: Remote Tasking from Your Phone
Dispatch is a separate feature that lets users send commands from an iOS or Android phone to the desktop Claude, which executes them in a sandbox environment. The entire process runs in a single continuous conversation across devices — no need to re-explain the context.
Anthropic gave concrete use cases: on a commute, ask for a morning briefing compilation; remotely handle tax paperwork; let Claude create a Pull Request; or check on a home 3D printer while traveling. The core idea is simple: you are not at the computer, but your computer is working for you.
Max Users Get It First; Pro Follows in Days
Both features are being released as a research preview and currently only support macOS — Windows is not yet available. The rollout follows a three-tier schedule: Claude Max users can use it immediately; Claude Pro users will get access “within days”; free users are expected to receive it after 2026. A prerequisite is that the desktop application must remain running, and the environment must be macOS.