Most AI chatbots sit and wait for you to type. However, Claude Duet flips that idea. Anthropic opened a research preview of this new app on 21 October 2026, and its main job is to come to you with what needs your attention.
In this guide, you will learn what Claude Duet is, what it can do, who can use it, what it costs, how safe it is and how to join the waitlist.
Quick answer: Claude Duet is a separate app where Claude works as a proactive agent. It runs on Claude Opus 5.5, sends a morning brief, drafts replies for your approval and checks with you before it sends, pays or deletes anything. Right now it is a waitlist preview for Claude Pro and Max users with a US account.
What is Claude Duet?
Claude Duet is a personal AI agent that you message like a teammate. Instead of opening a new chat each time, you hand off work through one ongoing thread. Duet then keeps working in the background and comes back when something needs you. Besides, you can type or use your voice, with no complex prompts or setup.
Also, Duet lives in its own app for iOS and Android, separate from the main Claude app. Anthropic’s product page also lists claude.ai as a way to open it on a computer.
How it works
Overall, Duet is built around three simple ideas.
- It starts with a morning brief. Each morning it looks at your email and calendar, then tells you what needs you today. After that, it goes quiet until something changes.
- It drafts, you approve. Duet writes replies, follow ups and next steps, but you decide what goes out.
- It keeps working while you are away. The agent runs on its own computer in the cloud, with its own browser. So your phone or laptop can be switched off while it works.
Duet also carries over your Claude memory, skills and connected apps. According to Anthropic, it can reach more than 6,000 connectors and plugins, including Gmail, Slack, QuickBooks, Stripe, HubSpot, Docusign and Shopify. When a site has no connector, it uses its browser instead.
Features at a glance
| Feature | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Morning brief | A short daily list of what needs your attention |
| Drafted replies | Emails and messages written for you to approve |
| Follow ups | Reminders on threads that went quiet |
| Cloud computer | Work continues even when your devices are off |
| Memory and skills | Your Claude settings carry over automatically |
| Approvals | It asks before sending, paying, signing or deleting |
Which model does it use?
Claude Duet runs on Claude Opus 5.5. However, you cannot switch models. Instead, Duet picks its own effort level for each task, so simple checks stay quick while harder jobs get more thinking time.
Who can use Claude Duet and what does it cost?
At launch, Claude Duet is a research preview with a waitlist. These are the current rules from Anthropic’s support pages:
- You need a Claude Pro or Max plan.
- Your Claude account must be based in the US.
- Team and Enterprise plans are not included yet, though Anthropic plans to add them.
- Invites go out in waves, so you may wait a while after you sign up.
Even so, there is no extra charge during the preview. However, Duet shares your plan’s normal usage limits with the rest of Claude. Its background checks also count toward those limits, so a busy agent uses more of your allowance. To soften this, people who get access receive one full limit reset, which they can use until 30 November 2026.
How to join the Claude Duet waitlist
In practice, joining takes about two minutes. Follow these steps:
- Open the Claude Duet product page and choose to join the waitlist.
- Enter your name and the email address linked to your Claude account.
- Pick your plan and the type of phone you use.
- Submit the form and wait for an invite email.
- When the invite arrives, open it on your phone.
- Download the app and sign in with your Claude account.
In addition, Anthropic explains each step in its getting started guide.
Is it safe to use?
Of course, giving an AI agent your inbox is a big step. Anthropic lists several protections:
- No direct access to passwords. When a site needs a login, you type the password into a separate form that goes straight to the browser. Duet never sees it.
- A classifier checks actions. Each action is screened, and a new classifier blocks card numbers and government ID numbers from being shared.
- Approvals for important steps. Duet asks before it sends, pays, signs or deletes anything.
- Hard limits on money. It will not trade securities or move money between accounts, even if you approve it.
Limits you should know
Because this is an early preview, Duet still has gaps. For example, it checks your accounts every few hours, not in real time, and it can misjudge how urgent something is. Similarly, other current limits include:
- You cannot watch or take over its browser.
- It cannot make phone calls or send text messages.
- Microsoft 365 is not available yet.
- 1Password support is listed as coming soon.
Claude Duet vs Meta Muse vs OpenAI Dots
Meanwhile, Claude Duet arrives after two big rivals. Meta launched its Muse personal AI agent on 8 September 2026, and OpenAI followed with Dots on 29 September.
| Claude Duet | OpenAI Dots | Meta Muse | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Launch | 21 Oct 2026 | 29 Sep 2026 | 8 Sep 2026 |
| Model | Claude Opus 5.5 | GPT 6 Astra | Muse Spark |
| Access | US Pro and Max, waitlist | ChatGPT Pro and Business Premium | US and Canada |
| Price | Included in your plan | First dot included in plan | Free, plus paid tiers |
In short, Muse targets everyday consumers, Dots aims at heavy ChatGPT users and teams, and Duet focuses on professionals and small business owners with too much to track. If you are new to this idea, our guide on what an AI agent is explains the basics.
Should you sign up for Claude Duet?
Claude Duet makes the most sense if you already pay for Claude Pro or Max and your day is full of email, meetings and follow ups. However, if you live outside the US or rely on Microsoft 365, you will need to wait. Either way, join the waitlist early, then start small: let Duet draft, and keep the final click for yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Is Claude Duet free?
There is no extra fee during the preview, but you need a paid Claude Pro or Max plan. Duet uses your normal plan limits.
Is it available outside the US?
Not yet. The preview is open only to Pro and Max users with a US Claude account.
Does it see my passwords?
No. You enter passwords in a separate form that goes straight to the browser, so Duet never sees them directly.
How is Claude Duet different from the Claude app?
The Claude app waits for you to open a chat. Claude Duet works in the background and comes to you with what needs your attention.