Anthropic launches Claude interactive apps, including Slack and other workplace tools

Claude users will now be able to invoke interactive applications within the chatbot interface, thanks to a new feature Anthropic announced on Monday.

In keeping with Anthropic’s enterprise focus, the launch apps are mostly workplace tools, including Slack, Canva, Figma, Box, Clay, and a Salesforce implementation is expected soon. In each case, the app will enable a logged-in instance of the service that Claude can access, enabling users to send Slack messages, create charts, or access cloud files, depending on which apps are enabled.

“Data analysis, content design, and project management all work better with a dedicated visual interface,” Anthropic said in a blog post announcing the feature. “Combined with Claude’s intelligence, you can act and iterate faster than either could do alone.”

The new feature is available to Pro, Max, Team, and Enterprise subscribers, but not free users. Eligible users can activate the tools at claude.ai/directory.

The system is similar to the OpenAI application system, which launched in October and enables third-party interactive tools. Both application integration systems are built on the Model Context Protocol (MCP), an open standard introduced by Anthropic in 2024. MCP launched support for the applications in November, building on work from both companies.

The new apps will be especially powerful when combined with Claude Cowork, a multi-purpose agent tool that Anthropic launched last week. Cowork, built on Claude Code, allows users to assign multi-stage tasks based on large, open datasets – tasks that previously required terminal commands. Along with the new Apps feature, Cowork can be given access to cloud files or ongoing work projects. For example, Cowork can update a marketing graphic in Figma or use new data from the company’s Box instance.

The apps aren’t available in Cowork at launch, but Anthropic said integration will be “coming soon.”

Proxy systems can be unpredictable, and Anthropic’s safety documentation for Cowork encourages users to monitor the proxy closely and not grant any unnecessary permissions.

The company recommends “being cautious about granting access to sensitive information such as financial documents, credentials, or personal records.” “Consider creating a dedicated working folder for Claude instead of giving broad access.”