How to set up Claude Cowork you'll actually use:

(Save this. Send it to your team. Thank me later.)

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Download Claude Cowork (desktop app).

Click the Cowork tab at the top (get pro plan).

Full guide here: claude-co.work

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Step 1: Your folder

Create a folder called "CLAUDE COWORK."

4 subfolders: About me, template, projects, outputs

First file: about-me .md. Who you are. What you do.

To download ours, go here: how-to-ai.guide.

Don't pay anything. It's free in the welcome email.

One great .md file beats 50 random uploads.

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Step 2: Global Instructions

Go to Settings → Cowork → Edit Global Instructions.

Paste your rules once. Claude follows them.

You set this once. You never type it again.

Prompt:

Read my files first. Never delete anything. Deliver work in CLAUDE OUTPUTS only.

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Step 3: Your first Project

Open the Cowork tab → Projects → +.

Start from 0, import a project or pick an existing one

Pick one recurring task. A report, proposal, & post.

Write 5-8 lines of instructions. That's your Project.

Then run this prompt:

Read every file in the folder. Summarize what you know. If something is unclear, ask me.

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Step 4: AskUserQuestion

Stop writing long prompts. Let Claude prompt you.

Claude generates a clickable form. Options.

Add this to every prompt:

Start by using AskUserQuestion before doing anything.

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Step 5: Plugins

Click Customize → Browse plugins.

Pick one that matches your job. Marketing. Sales.

Click install. Type / to see your commands.

Legal software lost $285B in market cap when these dropped. That's a signal.

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Step 6: Schedule it

Go to your Project → Scheduled tasks → New.

Write the prompt. Pick the frequency. Next Monday, it runs by itself. You wake up to a finished doc.

Keep the app open. Close it, and it stops.

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Where it falls short:

☑ A Cowork session = 20 regular chats. Usage limit.

☑ Review everything before sending.

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The real difference:

☑ Type a prompt, get a mid response & leave.

☑ Because they never built the folder.

☑ Build the folder with instructions in a Project.

☑ Then you'll understand why I haven't opened a standalone session since.

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Full Cowork setup guide: claude-co.work