Can Claude read and edit files on your computer?
Short answer
Yes, on a paid plan with the Claude Desktop app. Claude Cowork reads and writes files in folders you connect, without uploading them first, and only reaches those folders. The desktop app has to be open: a task keeps running if you close it, but can't touch your local files until you reopen it. Without Cowork, you upload files to the chat instead.
Which products can do it?
- Anthropic ClaudeYes
Claude Cowork reads and writes files in folders you connect on your computer, through the Claude Desktop app while it's open.
Good to know: Paid plans only (Pro, Max, Ultra, Team, Enterprise; beta on Team). macOS 13+, Windows 10+, Linux in beta. It reaches only connected folders and runs code in an isolated virtual machine on your computer.
Why it matters
Uploading files one by one, then saving Claude's output back by hand, breaks up real work like sorting folders or updating a batch of documents.
Not proven yet
Whether Claude asks before each change to a local file; the Anthropic pages we read describe folder-level permission, not per-action approval. How safely it handles large bulk edits; we found no independent test.
How we know (2 sources)
"Use Claude Cowork on web, desktop, and mobile" help article (read Nov 1, 2026, shown as updated the day before): Claude reads and writes files in folders you connect on your computer, reaching only those folders, through the Claude Desktop app and only while it's open. If the app is closed, a session keeps running but can't reach local files. When a cloud task needs a file, Claude fetches a copy of just that file; deleting the session deletes those copies. Desktop runs on macOS, Windows and Linux (beta).
Read the source"Install Claude Desktop" help article (read Nov 1, 2026, shown as updated the day before): Claude Cowork, which works with local files directly without uploading them, is available on all paid plans (Pro, Max, Ultra, Team, Enterprise). It runs code in an isolated virtual machine on your computer, with reads and writes limited to folders you connect. Requirements: macOS 13+, Windows 10+, or Linux beta on Ubuntu 22.04+/Debian 12+ (Linux Cowork also needs KVM, about 25 GB of disk and 8 GB of RAM). Desktop extensions can connect Claude to local files, calendars, email and messaging apps.
Read the source
Status timeline
No status has changed since we started tracking. Every entry is dated and backed by the sources on this page.
- First recorded: In storesAnthropic Claude
Claude Cowork reads and writes files in folders you connect on your computer, through the Claude Desktop app while it's open.