Computer Use Fundamentals
- Availability: Pro and Max plans only — enable in Settings > General
- Platform: macOS only for cursor control (Windows/Linux cannot use screen interaction)
- How it works: Periodic screenshots → visual analysis → cursor/click/type actions
- Permission model: Zero-trust, per-application — no global "allow all" toggle
- Speed: Slowest tool in the hierarchy — always prefer connectors when available
Tool priority hierarchy (memorise this):
| Priority | Tool | Speed | Reliability |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1st | Connectors | Instant | Near 100% |
| 2nd | Browser | Moderate | High |
| 3rd | Computer Use | Slow | ~50% on complex tasks |
Decision rule: If a connector exists for the service, use it. Fall back to browser. Use Computer Use only for legacy desktop apps with no API or web interface.
Computer Use Safety Rules
Default blocked application categories (cannot be removed):
- Banking and financial services
- Healthcare portals
- Government websites
- Dating apps
- Investment and trading platforms
- Cryptocurrency wallets
Before every Computer Use session:
- Close all sensitive background windows (Claude screenshots the entire screen)
- Close password managers, banking tabs, and private messages
- Disable sleep mode (System Settings > Displays > Advanced)
- Open the target application in advance (launching apps remotely is unreliable)
Never use Computer Use for:
- Financial transactions
- Legal contract execution
- Medical information processing
- Sensitive personal data handling
Common trap: "Claude automatically masks sensitive information in screenshots." False — Claude sees everything on screen exactly as it appears.
Dispatch — Remote Task Control
- What it is: A walkie-talkie to your desktop — not a separate mobile AI
- Setup: One-time QR code scan pairing between Desktop and mobile app
- Connection: Through Anthropic's servers (not local Wi-Fi)
- Thread model: Single persistent conversation (no multi-threading)
- Availability: Pro and Max plans only
- Push notifications: Received when tasks complete
Host requirements (all must be true):
- Computer powered on and awake (not sleeping)
- Claude Desktop app running
- Active internet connection on both devices
- Working folder permissions pre-granted
Common traps:
- Dispatch does not work when the host computer is off — there is no cloud execution
- You cannot run multiple parallel Dispatch threads
- Scheduled tasks cannot be created from the mobile Dispatch thread
- Both devices need internet but do not need the same network
Scheduled Tasks
Creation methods:
- /schedule command in any Cowork conversation
- Scheduled page in the left sidebar
Cadence options:
| Cadence | Runs |
|---|---|
| Hourly | Every hour |
| Daily | Once per day at set time |
| Weekly | Once per week on chosen day and time |
| Weekdays | Monday to Friday at set time |
| Manual | Only when you click "Run Now" |
Key behaviours:
- Inherits all Cowork capabilities (connectors, skills, plugins, files, Computer Use)
- Computer must be awake and app running for execution
- Skipped runs auto-execute on wake with notification
- Manage via Scheduled page: view, edit, pause, resume, delete, run on demand
Common trap: "Scheduled tasks run in the cloud so the computer can be off." False — all execution is local.
Automation Workflow Design Patterns
Standard patterns:
| Pattern | Example |
|---|---|
| Daily briefing | Pull email + calendar + Slack → compile morning summary |
| Weekly report | Aggregate data from multiple sources → format as Excel/PDF |
| Competitive intelligence | Monitor competitor websites → flag changes |
| Hybrid orchestration | Computer Use (legacy app) + Connector (save to Drive) + Connector (notify via Slack) |
Design rules:
- Use the fastest tool for each step (follow the priority hierarchy)
- Break complex workflows into smaller, verifiable steps
- Test manually before scheduling (always "Run Now" first)
- Disable sleep mode for overnight or early-morning tasks
- Review output from the first three scheduled runs before trusting the automation
Common Exam Traps — Domain 4
| Trap | Correct Answer |
|---|---|
| "Computer Use runs in a sandboxed VM" | It operates outside any VM, directly on your physical desktop |
| "A Global Permission toggle exists" | No — per-application permission required every time |
| "Dispatch works on the same Wi-Fi network" | Communicates through Anthropic's servers over the internet |
| "Dispatch can control a Windows PC mouse" | Cursor control is macOS-only |
| "Claude masks sensitive info in screenshots" | Sees everything on screen with no redaction |
| "Skipped scheduled tasks must be re-triggered" | They auto-execute on wake with a notification |
| "Scheduled tasks are limited to text generation" | They inherit all Cowork capabilities including connectors |
| "Multiple Dispatch threads run in parallel" | Single persistent thread, no multi-threading |
| "Banking apps can be unblocked for power users" | Default blocked categories cannot be removed |