Anthropic’s Claude Dispatch lets your phone run your computer’s AI tasks

New feature enables users to manage AI-powered tasks on desktops through smartphones, offering seamless cross-device interaction, improved productivity, and secure local processing as part of Anthropic’s expanding Claude ecosystem.

Anthropic has unveiled a new feature called “Claude Dispatch,” designed to let users control and monitor AI-driven tasks running on their desktop computers directly from their smartphones. The capability is being introduced as part of the company’s evolving Claude Cowork environment, aimed at enhancing productivity through seamless cross-device integration.

With Dispatch, users can maintain a single, continuous conversation with the Claude AI assistant across both desktop and mobile platforms. This allows tasks to be assigned remotely and reviewed later, enabling users to stay connected to their workflows even when away from their primary devices.

The feature was announced by Felix Rieseberg, who described it as a “persistent conversation” that continues running on a user’s computer. By linking a smartphone to the Claude Desktop application, users can send instructions, check progress, and return to completed outputs at their convenience.

Local processing with user-controlled access

Anthropic emphasized that Claude Dispatch prioritizes privacy and security by executing tasks locally on the user’s desktop. The system operates within a sandboxed environment, ensuring that any access to files, applications, or tools requires explicit user approval.

This approach allows Claude to interact with locally stored files, internal dashboards, browsers, and connected tools, making it possible to perform a wide range of tasks—from generating reports to assisting with travel arrangements—without transferring sensitive data to external servers.

However, the company noted that for Dispatch to function effectively, the desktop application must remain active, connected to the internet, and powered on. This requirement ensures that tasks can be processed continuously in real time.

Research preview signals broader AI shift

Currently, Claude Dispatch is being rolled out as a research preview, initially available to premium subscribers, with broader access expected in the near future. The release reflects a growing trend in the AI industry toward always-on, multi-device ecosystems that enable users to interact with intelligent assistants from virtually anywhere.

Industry observers believe such advancements could redefine how professionals manage workflows, as AI systems increasingly become integrated into everyday computing environments while maintaining user control over data and execution.