How to Join the Waitlist and Get Started with Claude Duet
Learn how to join the Claude Duet waitlist, what the proactive AI agent does, and how to set it up for US Pro and Max users. Official steps.
Anthropic opened a research preview of Claude Duet on 21 October 2026. The standalone app turns Claude into a proactive agent that messages you first with priorities from connected apps, completes tasks in the background, and checks before it sends messages, makes payments, signs documents, or deletes anything.
Built around Claude Opus 5.5, Duet is available by waitlist to Pro and Max subscribers in the United States. It runs as its own app on iOS and Android and on claude.ai. It uses the same usage limits as your Claude plan.
This guide covers the official requirements, the waitlist steps, and what to expect once access arrives. It follows Anthropic’s announcement and help center article.
What Claude Duet does
Claude Duet carries over memory, skills, and connected apps from your existing Claude account. You message it the way you would message a person—by typing or voice—in one ongoing thread.
Each morning it sends a short brief on the most important items across your connected apps. During the day it monitors those apps and reaches out only when something needs attention. You can hand it tasks ranging from scheduling a meeting to building a dashboard, creating a financial forecast, or prototyping a web app.
It works on its own virtual machine with a browser in the cloud, so it continues after you close the app or put your phone down. Sensitive actions require your approval.
Who can get access
You need three things:
- A Claude Pro or Max plan
- A Claude account based in the United States
- An invitation from the waitlist
Team and Enterprise plans are not included in the research preview. Access opens in waves and is tied to the email address you provide. Features can change during the preview.
How to join the waitlist
Go to the Claude Duet product page at claude.com/product/claude-duet or the announcement page.
- Select Join the waitlist.
- Enter your name and email address. Use the same email that is on your Claude account.
- Choose your Claude plan (Pro or Max) and your phone type (iPhone or Android).
- Optionally note what you do and which task you would hand off first.
- Submit the form.
Anthropic sends an email when your access opens. The email links to a setup page. On iPhone you install via TestFlight. On Android you become a tester in Google Play and install from there. On the web you open claude.ai with no install.
Use the same Google or Apple account on your phone that matches the waitlist email so the app recognizes you.
Getting started after you receive access
Once the app is installed or you open the web version:
- Sign in with the Claude account that matches the waitlist email.
- Review the connectors that already exist on your Claude account. Duet can use more than 6,000 connectors and plugins from the Claude Marketplace, including Gmail, Google Calendar, Google Drive, Slack, and others.
- Adjust which apps it monitors and how often it checks in.
- Send a first message describing a task or simply wait for the morning brief.
Your main thread stays in one place. You can also open separate channels for different topics; they share the same memory. Duet posts when a task is done or needs a decision. Only you can mark a task as completed.
Limits during the research preview
Claude Duet is an early version. Anthropic notes that it may misread a thread or misjudge what is urgent. It is less effective at personal errands such as booking tickets. During the preview you cannot watch or take over its browser session.
Background checks and task work count against your existing Pro or Max usage limits. There is no separate charge for Duet itself while the preview lasts.
Microsoft 365 connectors are not available yet. The app does not replace the main Claude chat; it lives in its own interface for now.
Tips for useful results
- Connect only the apps you want monitored. Fewer sources keep the morning brief focused.
- Start with a clear, bounded task such as “Draft a reply to the latest invoice reminder and wait for my approval.”
- Check the main thread daily so you can approve or redirect before sensitive steps.
- Keep your Claude memory and skills up to date; Duet inherits them automatically.
- If access does not appear after the email, confirm the phone account matches the waitlist address and try the web version.
Conclusion
Claude Duet brings a proactive agent to Pro and Max users in the United States. Join the waitlist with your Claude email, install the app when the invitation arrives, and message it like a teammate. It surfaces priorities, continues work in the cloud, and asks before it acts on your behalf.
The research preview is limited and evolving. Use the official pages for the latest waitlist status and connector list.
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