Claude Duet: Anthropic targets business workflows with new AI agent

Anthropic has entered the crowded market of AI assistants with a new tool focused specifically on professional productivity. The company is positioning this new offering as a serious contender against several existing players in the space.

The new application, named Claude Duet, is built to help professionals and small businesses manage their daily operations. It aims to rival competitors such as Meta Muse, OpenAI Dots, Hark, Instinct, Grok Bot, and Fo. By targeting business use cases, Anthropic is aligning with a broader industry shift toward agents that can work on behalf of users.

Anthropic makes a clear distinction between Duet and personal agents like Instinct. The company notes that Duet is not designed for handling simple errands or booking tickets. It also cannot display its browser activity in real time. Instead, the system focuses on deeper analytical and organizational tasks.

The core function of Duet is to automate and manage work-related duties. It can build daily briefings, create custom dashboards, and suggest actions based on user data. The agent operates by completing tasks in the background using its own virtual machine. This allows users to continue with their other work while the system processes information. It will return to the user only if specific approval is needed.

Built on the Claude Opus 5.5 model, Duet integrates with a vast ecosystem of tools. It has access to over 6,000 connectors and plug-ins available in the Claude Marketplace. This connectivity allows it to interact with a wide range of professional software. The proactive nature of the agent means it monitors ongoing tasks and delivers recommendations without constant prompting.

Financial transactions are a key feature, but with specific boundaries. Duet can make online purchases on behalf of users through Stripe’s Link digital wallet or Shopify’s Shop Pay. However, the company states that sensitive steps like payments require explicit user approval. The agent is not designed to trade securities or move money between bank accounts.

Security measures have been implemented to protect user data. Anthropic released a new classifier to check each message and prevent sensitive information from leaking out. By default, the agent will turn down requests asking for credit card numbers or government identification. This approach aims to balance functionality with privacy for business users.

Claude Duet is currently available in research preview for Pro and Max customers. It can be accessed as an app on iOS and Android devices, or on the web through Claude.ai. Users must join a waitlist to gain access to the new tool. This limited rollout allows the company to refine the experience before a wider release.