New Pro and Max Cowork tasks move to the cloud
New Cowork tasks on Claude Pro and Max have run in the cloud since 6 October. Work can continue with a laptop closed, but connected local folders still depend on the desktop app.
Cloud execution and local access have different limits
The Claude help page explicitly dates this change to 6 October 2026. New Pro and Max sessions run on Anthropic’s servers across surfaces, and there is no setting to choose local execution. Tasks started locally before the change remain on that computer until finished.
Cloud tasks, local files
- New Pro / Max tasks
- Anthropic cloud · Changed on 6 October; no local option
- Existing local tasks
- Original computer · Remain there until finished
- Connected folders
- Files remain local · Desktop app must be open; individual copies fetched
View data
| Evidence | Meaning |
|---|---|
| New Pro / Max tasks | Anthropic cloud · Changed on 6 October; no local option |
| Existing local tasks | Original computer · Remain there until finished |
| Connected folders | Files remain local · Desktop app must be open; individual copies fetched |
Anthropic · effective 2026-10-06. Source-bound illustration, not a performance benchmark.
Download imageFiles in connected folders remain local. Claude reaches those folders through the desktop app while it is open, fetching a copy of an individual file when a cloud task needs it. Closing the laptop therefore allows cloud work to continue, but removes that live route to local folders.
Original sources
- Anthropic: original product documentationsupport.claude.com
Checked 9 Oct 2026 · A manually curated edition. Availability may change; company performance claims are not Trion test results. Editorial method.