6,000 Plugins: Anthropic Launches Claude Duet for Business Automation

For professionals and small business owners, the daily grind of managing digital tasks just got a new helper. Anthropic has officially launched Claude Duet, a specialized AI agent designed to automate workflows and deliver actionable insights. The new tool is available now in research preview for Pro and Max customers on iOS, Android, and the web, though users must join a waitlist to gain access.

The AI market is crowded with personal assistants, but Anthropic is positioning Duet differently. Instead of acting as a general life manager, the app targets business efficiency. The company explicitly distinguishes Duet from personal agents like Instinct. It is not built to book tickets or run errands. It also does not offer a live view of its browser activity. Instead, it focuses on building daily briefings, creating data dashboards, and suggesting specific actions based on your professional information.

Under the hood, Duet runs on the Claude Opus 5.5 model. A key feature is its ability to operate in the background. It uses its own virtual machine to complete tasks while you focus on other work. The agent will pause and ask for approval only when necessary. This approach aligns with a broader industry shift from simple chatbots to agents that can work on behalf of users.

Connectivity is a major part of the pitch. Duet can link to over 6,000 connectors and plug-ins available in the Claude Marketplace. It also supports online purchases through Stripe’s Link digital wallet or Shopify’s Shop Pay. While it can handle payments, Anthropic states that sensitive steps require explicit user approval. The agent will not trade securities or move money between different accounts without your sign-off.

Privacy measures are central to the new release. Anthropic introduced a new classifier that scans every message to prevent sensitive information from leaking. By default, the system is programmed to turn down requests for credit card numbers or government identification. This adds a layer of security for users sharing business data.

The launch places Duet in direct competition with several existing platforms. It rivals Meta Muse, which has a business version with app connections, and OpenAI Dots, which integrates with professional tools. Other competitors in the space include Hark, Instinct, Grok Bot, and Fo. Anthropic aims to capture attention by focusing specifically on the needs of working professionals rather than casual consumers.

For now, the app is in research preview. This means the features may still be evolving. Users who join the waitlist will be the first to test the system. As the market continues to shift toward autonomous agents, Duet represents Anthropic’s significant bet on helping businesses manage their digital operations with less manual effort.