Anthropic Launches Claude Duet for Business Task Automation

Anthropic has officially launched Claude Duet, a new application designed to automate complex workflows for professionals and small businesses. The release marks a significant entry into a crowded market of productivity tools, positioning the new software directly against competitors like Meta Muse, OpenAI Dots, and Grok Bot. The company aims to capture user attention by focusing specifically on business utility rather than general personal assistance.

The strategy behind Duet is distinct from other consumer-facing agents. While tools like Instinct are built to handle personal errands, such as booking tickets or managing daily schedules, Duet is engineered for operational efficiency. It is not intended to manage personal logistics or display real-time browser activity to the user. Instead, the agent focuses on creating daily briefings, generating data dashboards, and suggesting strategic actions based on the user’s existing information.

Under the hood, the application operates through its own virtual machine, allowing it to complete tasks in the background while the user continues with their work. The agent will pause and return to the user for approval when necessary. This architecture is built on the Claude Opus 5.5 model, which provides the reasoning power needed for these automated processes. The system is designed to monitor ongoing tasks and proactively deliver recommendations as they become relevant.

Integration is a key feature of the new tool. Duet can connect to more than 6,000 connectors and plugins available in the Claude Marketplace. This extensive ecosystem allows the agent to interact with a wide variety of professional software. Furthermore, the application can execute online purchases on behalf of users by integrating with Stripe’s Link digital wallet or Shopify’s Shop Pay.

Security measures are central to the new release. Anthropic introduced a specialized classifier that scans every message to prevent the leakage of sensitive data. By default, the agent will decline requests that ask for credit card numbers or government identification details. While it can handle payments with user approval, Duet is explicitly programmed not to trade securities or transfer money between different accounts.

The launch reflects a broader industry shift away from simple chat assistants toward agents that can independently perform work. Rivals are increasingly targeting the business sector, with Meta offering a small-business version of Muse and OpenAI integrating Dots with professional tools. Anthropic is joining this trend by emphasizing its ability to manage business tasks without overstepping into personal territory.

Claude Duet is currently available as a research preview. It is accessible on iOS and Android devices, as well as through the web interface at Claude.ai. Access is restricted to Pro and Max customers, who must join a waitlist to begin using the platform. The company is using this phased rollout to test the system's capabilities before a wider release.