On October 21, 2026, Anthropic announced Claude Duet, a proactive AI agent. Instead of waiting for you to type a question, Duet works in the background across the apps you connect and messages you when something needs your input.
What you need to know in 10 seconds
- What: an always-on AI agent that helps with your inbox, calendar and larger tasks
- Status: research preview, so it can make mistakes
- Who: US only, on Claude Pro and Max plans (Team and Enterprise are not included yet)
- Where: iOS and Android apps, plus the web at claude.ai
- How to join: the waitlist on Anthropic's Claude Duet page
What Is Claude Duet?
Claude Duet is a personal AI agent you message by text or voice. It runs on its own cloud computer, so it can keep working after you close the app. It uses the apps you connect, and it uses the same memories, skills and connectors as regular Claude.
What Can It Do?
Morning brief
Flags what needs your attention in your inbox and calendar.
Drafts replies
Writes replies for you to review and follows up on quiet threads.
Bigger tasks
Builds research briefs, slide decks and dashboards while you are away.
Asks first
Asks for your approval before sensitive actions like sending messages or making payments.
Anthropic also says Duet can find unpaid invoices and draft reminders, and it works with connectors such as Gmail, Google Calendar, Slack and Stripe.
Who Can Use It?
- Country: the United States only
- Plans: Claude Pro and Max
- Not yet: Team and Enterprise plans, which Anthropic plans to add later
- Access: invitation only during the preview, so you join a waitlist first
How to Join the Waitlist
- Check that you have a Claude Pro or Max plan and live in the US
- Open Anthropic's Claude Duet page (claude.com/product/claude-duet)
- Join the waitlist
- Wait for your invitation, because access opens in waves
- When you get in, open Duet in the Claude app or at claude.ai
Good to know before you sign up
Duet has no separate price. It uses your plan's usage limits, and its background work counts toward them. Anthropic warns that you may reach your limits sooner than with normal chat.
Is It Safe to Connect Your Email and Calendar?
Duet asks before it sends messages, makes payments, signs documents or deletes anything, and you can see what it is doing. Still, this is a research preview. Anthropic says it may misread a thread, misjudge how urgent something is, or miss something that arrives between check-ins. Review every draft before you approve it, and connect only the apps you need.
Claude Duet vs ChatGPT Dots
Reports say Duet is Anthropic's answer to similar always-on agents, such as ChatGPT's Dots, which OpenAI released to eligible Pro and Business Premium users on October 6. The idea is the same: an agent that keeps working on your goals between conversations. Duet is currently limited to US Pro and Max users on a waitlist.
Keep Learning About Claude
New to Claude? Read our guide on how to get Claude free with GitLab, or see which AI skills to learn in 2026.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Claude Duet
Claude Duet is an always-on AI agent from Anthropic, announced on October 21, 2026. It works across the apps you connect, flags what needs your attention and drafts replies for you to approve.
Who can use Claude Duet?
It is a research preview for Claude Pro and Max users in the United States. Team and Enterprise plans are not included yet.
How do I join the Claude Duet waitlist?
Open Anthropic's Claude Duet page at claude.com/product/claude-duet and join the waitlist. Invitations go out in waves.
