Short answer: Two different tools, not two versions of one. Cowork is for everyday office work inside one folder you hand it, and it needs no setup at all. Claude Code works across a whole project, can use tools you add yourself, and can keep going without you. Tidying one folder? Cowork is easier, and we would say so. Bigger than one folder, or has to run overnight? Claude Code.
Terminal, with Launchpad
Best for: work spanning a whole project, and jobs that run without you
How much you hand it
Cowork only ever sees the one folder you connect, and that is on purpose. It means someone who is not technical can hand over a folder of receipts without worrying about the rest of the computer. Claude Code has no such fence, which makes it more capable and asks more of you in return. One thing worth knowing if you work somewhere regulated: Anthropic says Cowork activity does not appear in the audit records some companies are required to keep.
Side-by-side
| Criterion | Terminal (with Launchpad) | Claude Cowork |
|---|---|---|
| Built for | Whole projects and technical work | Everyday office work |
| How much it can see | A whole project, plus folders you add | Only the folder you connect |
| Pick your folder in a window, nothing to type | ✓ | ✓ |
| Where code it writes runs | On your computer | Walled off from your computer |
| Add your own tools to it | ✓ | Not in the same way |
| Can be started automatically | ✓ | ✕ |
| Carries on after the 5 hour limit | ✓if you switch it on | ✕ |
| Shows up in company audit records | ✓ | ✕per Anthropic |
| Setup needed | One installer, then a folder picker | None beyond the app |
| Easiest if you are not technical | Good, once installed | Excellent, that is its whole design |
| What you need | A paid Claude plan | A paid Claude plan |
| Cost of this tool | Free, open source | Included with your plan |
What the launcher adds
- Auto-continueWaits out the 5 hour limit, then resumes. Off by default.
- Voice alertsA sound when it needs a decision, another when it is done.
- Profiles per projectFolder, model, flags and env saved as one click.
- Live usage barModel, context, session and weekly limits with countdowns.
- A tab per projectOne window, each tab named after its folder.
- Sets itself upOne installer puts everything in place. Nothing to configure.
Free, open source, and it runs Anthropic's official Claude Code unmodified.
Frequently asked
Is this just Cowork but worse?
No, they see different amounts. Cowork is limited to the one folder you connect. Claude Code works across a whole project and can use tools you add. For tidying one folder, Cowork is genuinely easier.
Which one if I am not technical?
One folder and no setup at all, Cowork. Bigger than one folder, or it needs to run overnight, Claude Code.
Does Cowork run things on my computer?
Partly. Anthropic describes a split: it reads your connected folder directly, but any code it writes runs walled off from the rest of your machine.
Get it
Download for Windows All download options
vs Claude chatvs Claude Code on the webvs Claude Code Desktopvs the VS Code extensionClaude Code alone vs with Launchpad
Every claim about Cowork comes from Anthropic's documentation: Claude Cowork, Desktop quickstart.