Anthropic Launches Claude Dispatch for Remote Desktop AI Control
- Anthropic introduced Claude Dispatch, a research preview feature enabling users to control desktop AI tasks from smartphones[1]
- The feature maintains a persistent conversation across devices, allowing users to assign tasks remotely and return to completed work later[1]
- All processing occurs locally on the user's device with sandboxed code execution, ensuring data privacy while accessing files, browsers, and plugins[2]
- Initially available to Max subscribers with plans to expand to Pro users[2]
- The desktop application must remain online and connected to the internet for tasks to execute successfully[2]
Anthropic has unveiled Claude Dispatch, a new feature within its Claude Cowork environment that allows users to manage and monitor AI tasks running on their desktop computers directly from their smartphones[1]. The capability, released as a research preview, enables a persistent conversation with Claude across devices, letting users assign work remotely and retrieve completed results at their convenience[1].
How Claude Dispatch Works
Claude Dispatch operates through a single continuous conversation between the user's phone and their desktop computer[1]. Users download Claude Desktop, pair their phone with the application, and can then send instructions remotely to Claude, which executes tasks in the background on the desktop machine[1]. The AI can access local files, connected applications, and plugins installed on the computer, allowing it to handle tasks such as preparing presentations, organizing folders, analyzing spreadsheets, or generating reports[1]. All processing takes place on the user's device using locally stored files, connectors, and plugins, ensuring that personal data remains on the computer rather than being transmitted to external servers[2].
Persistent Workflow Without Interruption
One of the distinguishing features of Claude Dispatch is that it maintains conversation context across sessions[1]. Users do not need to restart from scratch each time they open the application; if they previously asked Claude to create a draft, they can return later and continue from the same point with full context retained[1]. This design allows for seamless follow-up instructions and keeps workflows continuous without interruptions[1]. The system delivers final results such as documents, reports, or structured data rather than showing each step taken during the process[1].
Security and System Requirements
Anthropic implemented security measures to manage the risks associated with remote desktop control[2]. Claude executes code in a sandbox on the user's device, and the system requires user approval before taking any action[2]. However, because a mobile AI agent controls a desktop AI agent, instructions from a phone can trigger real actions on a computer—including reading, moving, or deleting local files, interacting with connected services, and controlling the browser[3]. The desktop application must remain open and connected to the internet with the computer staying awake for tasks to run successfully[2].
Availability and Rollout Timeline
Claude Dispatch launched as a research preview initially available to Claude Max subscribers[2]. Anthropic has indicated that access will expand to Pro users in the coming period[2]. The rollout reflects the company's broader focus on developing cross-device AI systems that allow users to interact with AI tools seamlessly across multiple devices and locations[2].