Anthropic's Claude Duet keeps working in the background at no extra cost on paid Claude plans, but it is U.S.-only and invite-based for now.
Anthropic has a new app called Claude Duet that keeps working in the background instead of waiting for you to type. It is free on top of a Claude Pro, Max or Ultra plan. But it is a waitlisted research preview, which means an early test version, so not everyone can use it yet.
Regular Claude chat is like a smart friend who answers only when you call. Duet is meant to check in on your stuff every so often and flag what needs your attention. Tasks run on Anthropic's servers, and it checks your connected accounts every few hours. It is not built for instant alerts.
It is aimed at people with many small recurring tasks, such as small business owners and busy professionals. Duet is a separate app from the main Claude app, so menus and settings will not look the same.
Anthropic lists the web at claude.ai, plus standalone iPhone and Android apps. When Duet wants your approval before acting, your phone is the likeliest place to see the request.
Duet adds no new charge, but its background checks reportedly count against the same usage allowance as your other Claude tools, including Claude Code. People admitted to the preview get one full reset of their five-hour session and weekly limits, available until November 30, 2026.
Early reaction is mixed. One Reddit thread is titled "Duet is kinda useless so far." A single unverified report suggests Duet may not see files stored only on your own computer. The model behind Duet is unconfirmed, and no reliable tests compare it with agent features from OpenAI or Google. Anthropic announced Duet on October 21, 2026, and details may change as the preview evolves.
If you pay for Claude in the U.S., joining the Duet waitlist is free, but expect shared usage limits and checks every few hours, not instant alerts.
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