Anthropic has enhanced its Claude AI assistant by upgrading the Chrome side panel to support full Cowork sessions. This update allows users to initiate tasks within the browser and seamlessly continue them across Claude’s desktop, web, and mobile applications.
With this integration, conversations started in the Chrome side panel are now saved to the user’s Claude history, enabling a fluid transition between devices and platforms. Pre-configured skills and connectors are accessible directly from the browser without additional setup. The extension can interact with the current webpage, utilizing existing browser logins to perform actions such as clicking links, navigating between pages, entering text, and filling out forms.
For instance, users can instruct Claude to gather invoice details from multiple vendor portals, compile them into a spreadsheet, and then continue refining the document on the desktop application by incorporating local files or comparing it with previous budgets.
Previously, sessions initiated in the Chrome side panel were isolated from those in other Claude applications, leading to fragmented workflows. This update addresses that limitation by unifying the user experience across platforms.
Anthropic has also highlighted the in-app browser feature within Claude Code, which operates using an isolated profile. In contrast, the Chrome extension leverages the user’s existing browser sessions, providing a more integrated experience.
Security remains a priority, as browser agents can be susceptible to prompt injection attacks. To mitigate risks, Anthropic has implemented safeguards, including a review process for significant actions when automatic approval is enabled. Claude will still request confirmation before executing tasks such as making purchases or sharing personal information. While these measures reduce potential threats, they do not eliminate them entirely.
The enhanced Cowork side panel is currently available to Claude Max and Team subscribers, with plans to extend the rollout to Pro users in the coming weeks. Enterprise administrators have the option to enable this feature and restrict access to approved domains. At present, the Claude in Chrome extension does not support other Chromium-based browsers or mobile devices.
This development is part of Anthropic’s ongoing efforts to make Claude’s functionalities more portable and accessible across various platforms. Recent updates include live iOS app testing within Claude Code for Mac and new controls in Opus 4.8 for managing longer-running tasks across multiple products and devices.
By integrating full Cowork sessions into the Chrome side panel, Anthropic aims to streamline workflows and enhance productivity for users who rely on Claude for their daily tasks.
