Claude is Anthropic’s AI assistant for writing, research, coding, data analysis, and other everyday tasks. Its capabilities extend beyond ordinary conversations through specialized tools, integrations, and automation features.
What users can accomplish depends on their subscription, the applications they use, and the permissions granted to Claude. Some features are available through the standard chat interface, while others require separate tools or paid access.
This cheat sheet explains Claude’s models, features, pricing, privacy controls, and supported platforms to help individuals and businesses decide how to use the service.
Claude at a glance
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Developer | Anthropic |
| What it is | AI assistant for conversation, research, content creation, coding, and task automation |
| Current models | Fable 5.1, Opus 5.5, Sonnet 5.5, and Haiku 5.5; Mythos 5.1 for approved organizations |
| Supported inputs | Text, images, voice, PDFs, spreadsheets, and presentations |
| Research tools | Web search, Research with citations, and the separate Claude Science application |
| Creation tools | Artifacts, Docs, Slides, Design, Dashboards, and Motion |
| Advanced tools | Cowork for task automation and computer use, plus Claude Code for software development |
| Personalization and integrations | Projects, Memory, Skills, plugins, and connectors |
| Platforms | Web, Windows, macOS, iOS, Android, Chrome, Microsoft 365, Google Workspace, and developer platforms |
| Pricing | Free tier; paid individual plans from $20/month; separate business and API options |
| Official website | claude.ai |
What does Claude do?
Claude handles everyday requests through chat and can use uploaded material or connected services when additional context is needed.
- Writing and coding. Draft and revise text, explain concepts, brainstorm ideas, translate languages, and help write or troubleshoot code.
- File and data analysis. Examine PDFs, spreadsheets, images, and presentations, compare documents, extract information, perform calculations, and generate charts.
- Voice conversations. Hold spoken conversations through supported apps, with spoken responses and hands-free interaction.
- Projects and Memory. Organize chats, files, and instructions using Projects, while Memory retains useful context across conversations. Free users can create up to five projects.
- Skills and connected services. Save procedures for recurring tasks with Skills. Plugins package workflows, while connectors provide access to authorized services such as Gmail, Slack, and GitHub.
These features can be combined within an assignment. However, information from external services remains subject to the permissions granted to each connection.
Web search and Research
Claude offers different research options depending on whether a request needs a quick lookup or a more extensive investigation.
Web search retrieves current information with source links. Research conducts multiple searches and produces reports with citations, drawing on connected material when authorized.
Claude Science is a separate beta desktop application for scientific research. It supports code execution, dataset analysis, and connections to research databases.
Source citations and generated findings should still be checked before use in published work or important decisions.
Claude Artifacts and creative work
Artifacts displays editable content beside a conversation. Users can make changes directly or request revisions through chat.
Its creation tools include the following.
- Docs and Slides. Produce editable documents and presentations, with options to present slides within Claude or export files in supported formats.
- Design. Develop visual layouts, mockups, one-pagers, and prototypes using established fonts, colors, and design components.
- Dashboards. Turn datasets into interactive charts and visual reports that users can explore.
- Motion. Create animated explainers and walkthroughs, with support for exporting MP4 videos.
Artifacts can also contain diagrams, calculators, and small web applications, allowing users to interact with generated content instead of only reading it.
Claude Cowork and Claude Code
Claude offers two tools for work that goes beyond ordinary conversations. Cowork handles assignments involving files and applications, while Claude Code focuses on software development.
Cowork and computer use
Claude Cowork can gather information from connected sources, work with documents and spreadsheets, and complete multistep assignments. Users can review its progress, provide additional instructions, and approve actions when needed.
Cowork also supports scheduled tasks, such as recurring reports and research updates. Eligible cloud tasks can continue when the computer is turned off, although assignments involving local files or applications still need access to the device.
For desktop work, computer use allows the assistant to click, type, and navigate supported applications. The beta feature needs an eligible paid account, the desktop app running, and the computer awake.
Claude Code
Claude Code is an AI coding agent that works directly with software projects. It can inspect repositories, modify files, run tests, investigate errors, and review code through supported terminals and development environments.
Developers can use it for changes involving multiple files or testing workflows, while ordinary Claude conversations remain available for explaining code and answering programming questions.
How does Claude work?
Most processing takes place on remote servers using Anthropic’s large language models. The company trains them using Constitutional AI, an approach that incorporates guiding principles into model development to support safer and more reliable behavior.
Current Claude AI models
The model lineup provides options with different levels of capability, speed, and processing cost.
- Claude Fable 5.1. For demanding reasoning, complex research, and extended agent tasks.
- Claude Opus 5.5. For advanced coding, detailed analysis, and multistep knowledge work.
- Claude Sonnet 5.5. Balances speed and capability for writing, programming, research, and professional tasks.
- Claude Haiku 5.5. Prioritizes fast, economical processing for routine or high-volume requests.
Anthropic also offers Claude Mythos 5.1 for specialized cybersecurity and life-sciences research. It shares the same underlying model as Fable 5.1 but uses different safeguards. Access is restricted to approved organizations.
Claude models support text and image inputs and tool use through compatible interfaces. Developer context windows can reach 1 million tokens, but consumer app limits may differ.
Model selection and reasoning settings depend on the account. Additional processing can consume more of a user’s allowance without guaranteeing a correct response.
Where is Claude available?
Claude can be accessed through dedicated applications and integrations with existing software.
- Web. Access chat, file uploads, Artifacts, and available research tools in a browser.
- Mobile. Official iOS and Android apps offer text, voice, uploads, and supported Projects features.
- Desktop. Windows and macOS applications provide local file access and eligible Cowork features. Claude Science also has a separate Linux beta app.
- Chrome. A browser extension lets paid users navigate webpages and perform permitted actions.
- Office apps. Claude for Microsoft 365 works inside Word, Excel, and PowerPoint for eligible subscribers. Outlook support is in beta.
- Google Workspace. A Claude add-on for Docs, Sheets, and Slides is in public beta on paid plans. It can edit files directly, offering an alternative to Gemini’s integration.
- Developer platforms. Models are accessible through the Anthropic API and supported cloud providers, including Amazon Bedrock, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Foundry.
Ordinary browser access generally does not depend on powerful local hardware. Workplace integrations may need administrator approval, and enabling one connection does not authorize access to every service.
How much does Claude cost?
Anthropic offers free and paid subscriptions for individuals, along with managed plans for businesses. Developers can also access Claude models through the API, which uses a separate pricing structure based on model and token consumption.
Subscription prices, usage limits, and included features vary by plan. Organizations should also consider seat requirements, administrative controls, and any additional usage charges when comparing business subscriptions.
| Plan | Price | What’s Included |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Everyday conversations, web search, voice, Artifacts, Docs, Slides, Design, and standard usage limits |
| Pro | $20/month or $200/year | Higher limits, Research, Cowork, Claude Code, Claude Science, additional models, and Dashboards beta |
| Max | $100/month | Pro features with five times its usage limits, priority access, and $100 in monthly API credits |
| Ultra | $200/month | Ten times Pro weekly usage, no five-hour limit for verified users, and $200 in monthly API credits |
| Team Standard | $25/user/month or $20/user/month billed annually | Managed workspace, collaboration, administrative controls, and Motion beta |
| Team Premium | $125/user/month or $100/user/month billed annually | Team features with five times Standard's usage per session |
| Enterprise | $20/user/month billed annually, plus usage charges | Advanced security, auditing, administration, and Motion beta |
Source: Anthropic. Taxes, local prices, and feature availability may differ.
Team supports two to 150 users with a mix of Standard and Premium seats. Enterprise has a 20-seat minimum. Fable 5.1 has separate weekly allowances on eligible plans and may need purchased credits on others.
API usage is billed by model and token consumption, including when Claude Code uses separately billed developer services. Included monthly API credits do not increase ordinary chat or Claude Code subscription allowances.
How does Claude handle your data?
Personal and managed accounts have different controls for model training and information access.
Users on personal plans can manage whether chats and coding sessions contribute to model improvement under Settings > Privacy > Help Improve our AI models. The consumer data policy documents exceptions involving safety reviews and submitted feedback.
Memory has separate settings for reviewing or deleting saved context. Incognito chats are excluded from ordinary history, memory, and training. Limited retention may apply.
Under its commercial data policy, Team, Enterprise, and API customer data is not used for training by default. Managed subscriptions provide additional security and administrative controls. Anthropic also states that Claude is ad-free and does not sell personal data.
Organizations should review their retention settings and approved connections before introducing confidential information.
How do I get started with Claude?
Claude is available with a free account through its website or official apps.
- Open Claude. Visit claude.ai or download the mobile or desktop application.
- Sign in. Create an account or log in with an existing one.
- Start a conversation. Enter a question, upload a supported file, or select an available tool.
- Connect other services if needed. Authorize supported applications and review the permissions granted to Claude.
For work or school accounts, administrators may need to enable certain features or integrations before users can access them.
What are the alternatives to Claude?
Other AI assistants offer similar conversational and productivity capabilities, but their tools and integrations differ.
- ChatGPT. Offers image generation and editing, research, file creation, ChatGPT Work, and Codex.
- Google Gemini. Combines creative media tools, research, and automation with integrations across Google services.
- Microsoft Copilot. Provides AI assistance across supported Windows and Microsoft 365 applications, with additional business capabilities on eligible plans.
Choosing between Claude and other AI assistants depends on the work users need to complete, the software they already use, and the features available under each subscription.
Individuals may prioritize model capabilities, research tools, and usage limits. Businesses should also evaluate integrations, administrative controls, data handling policies, and the costs of deploying AI across teams.
Before committing to a paid plan, users should confirm that the tools they need are supported on their preferred devices and included in their subscription.
Related reading: Two major AI assistants, two comprehensive guides. Explore our ChatGPT and Google Gemini cheat sheets for everything from advanced features to account setup.