Anthropic extends Claude Cowork access to Chrome sidebar

Anthropic has integrated its Claude Cowork chatbot into the Claude for Chrome browser extension, enabling users to conduct conversations directly within the Chrome side panel. This update ensures that interactions held in the sidebar are automatically saved to the user’s history, creating a persistent record of activity within the browser environment.

The integration facilitates seamless continuity between the standalone Claude application and the web browser. Skills and connectors now function within the browser interface, allowing users to initiate tasks in the Claude app and continue them in Chrome, or reverse the workflow without interruption. This functionality aims to streamline operations for users who rely heavily on the Google-owned browser for daily tasks.

Access to the new sidebar feature is tiered based on subscription status. Max and Team subscribers can utilise the capability immediately, while Pro plan subscribers are scheduled to gain access in the coming weeks. The rollout timeline for Pro users remains undefined, with no specific date provided for the expansion.

Claude Cowork was previously launched as a streamlined alternative to Claude Code, specifically designed for layperson users rather than professional developers. While the professional-grade coding tool is already available within the Chrome plugin, Cowork offers a more accessible interface for general tasks. The company recently expanded the tool’s utility by adding smartphone control capabilities.

The Claude for Chrome extension was initially rolled out to all Anthropic users in late 2025. Although Anthropic has secured integrations with various professional and lifestyle services, this browser-based update provides a mechanism for the chatbot to execute tasks in tools that may not have official support, broadening the utility of the platform within the Google ecosystem.