Anthropic launches Claude Duet, a proactive agent app, as a research preview
On 21 October 2026, Anthropic opened a research preview of Claude Duet, an app where Claude works as a proactive agent. It sends a morning brief, messages you when something needs attention, and keeps working on tasks when you step away. It is by waitlist, for US Pro and Max subscribers first, on iOS, Android and claude.ai.
The short version
- 01Anthropic opened a research preview of Claude Duet on 21 October 2026, by waitlist.
- 02It starts with US Pro and Max subscribers, on iOS, Android and claude.ai, at their existing usage limits.
- 03Duet sends a morning brief, messages you only when something needs you, and works in the background.
- 04It asks for your approval before it sends a message, makes a payment, signs a document or deletes anything.
- 05Anthropic says it can still misread a thread or what is urgent, and personal errands are weaker.
At a glance
| Announced | 21 October 2026 |
|---|---|
| Company | Anthropic |
| Product | Claude Duet |
| Stage | Research preview, by waitlist |
| First access | US Pro and Max subscribers |
| Where | iOS, Android and claude.ai |
| Built around | Claude Opus 5.5 |
| Status | Confirmed |
What is Claude Duet?
In a post on 21 October 2026, Anthropic said it is opening a research preview of Claude Duet, a new app where Claude works as a proactive agent.
Anthropic says it comes to you with what needs your attention, completes tasks you ask of it, keeps working when you step away, and checks with you before it acts on your behalf. It was built for professionals and small business owners with more on their plates than they can track.
What can Claude Duet do?
Each morning it sends a short brief on the most important items across your connected apps. During the day it keeps tabs on those apps and messages you only when something needs you. Anthropic says it checks your accounts every few hours.
You can also hand it tasks, from scheduling meetings to building dashboards, creating financial or sales forecasts, and prototyping web apps. It can use the over 6,000 connectors and plugins in the Claude Marketplace, such as Gmail, Slack, QuickBooks, Stripe, HubSpot and Shopify.
Who can use Claude Duet, and how much does it cost?
It is available by waitlist, starting with US Pro and Max subscribers. During the research preview it is included in those plans and uses the same usage limits as the rest of Claude. Anthropic says its background checks count toward those limits.
It is a standalone app on iOS and Android, and it is also on claude.ai. Anthropic says it is separate from the main Claude app for now.
Is Claude Duet safe, and what will it not do?
Anthropic says Duet reads, drafts and prepares work on its own, but before it sends a message, makes a payment, signs a document or deletes anything, it shows you what it is about to do and waits for your approval. Trading securities and moving money between accounts are off-limits even with approval.
It says Duet never directly sees your passwords or sign-in tokens, and that it uses a new classifier to reject requests to share the strictest tier of information, including credit card numbers and government identification. Anthropic says red teams and an external firm tested it.
I don't need to open up 100 tabs.
Amin Ebrahimi, owner of Shahs of Kabob, an early tester
What are its limits?
Anthropic calls it an early version. It says Duet might misread a thread or miscalibrate what is urgent, personal errands such as booking tickets are not as strong, and it cannot yet show you its browser.
Why does it matter?
Most AI assistants wait for you to open them and ask. Duet is built to start the conversation and work in the background, which is a different way to use AI, and one that asks you to trust it with your email and calendar.
What's next?
Anthropic says it will share more details about how Duet is designed for safety in the coming days. It has not given a date for wider access.
Questions people ask
What is Claude Duet?
An app from Anthropic where Claude works as a proactive agent: it sends a morning brief, messages you when something needs attention, and completes tasks in the background.
How do I get Claude Duet?
Join the waitlist. The research preview starts with US Pro and Max subscribers.
Does Claude Duet cost extra?
In the research preview it is included in Pro and Max plans and shares the usage limits of the rest of Claude.
Will it act without asking me?
Not for key actions. Before it sends a message, makes a payment, signs a document or deletes anything, it waits for your approval.
Where does it run?
As a standalone app on iOS and Android, and on claude.ai.
Sources
Why "Confirmed"? We label a story "Confirmed" when the company or government announced it itself. Spotted an error? Email hello@openloopnews.com and we will correct it.
