Lesson 9 · Claude Cowork
Steer a Cowork task while it runs
Learn how to correct Claude Cowork mid-task, approve the next step, and inspect the final output before using it.
Primary source
Anthropic's official Get started with Claude Cowork says you maintain visibility into what Claude is planning and doing so you can steer when it matters. Anthropic's Use Claude Cowork safely emphasizes reviewing outputs and avoiding tasks with sensitive files or hard-to-undo actions unless approved.
The one idea
Cowork is not “set it and forget it.” If the task starts drifting, give a small steering message: pause, narrow, correct, or approve.
Specificity scaffold: weak steering vs strong steering
Vague attempt
No, not like that.
This signals dissatisfaction, but does not tell Claude what to change.
Improved attempt
Pause. Do not create or edit files yet. Narrow the task to the risk table only, use fake data only, and show me the revised table structure before continuing.
This tells Claude the action, boundary, scope, data rule, and next checkpoint.
Anatomy of a steering message
Goal: “Narrow the task to the risk table only.”
Constraint: “Do not create or edit files yet.”
Safety rule: “Use fake data only.”
Format: “Show me the revised table structure.”
Success criteria: “Before continuing.”
Each part matters because Cowork may be doing several steps. Your message should say exactly what to stop, change, and show next.
Guided refinement: improve one part at a time
Imagine Cowork is preparing a month-end close pack, but it starts drafting a client email too early.
- Add a pause: “Pause before drafting the email.”
- Add the reason: “I need to verify the missing items first.”
- Add the next safe action: “Create only a list of questions for me to review.”
Now combine them into one steering message.
Show one possible answer
Pause before drafting the client email. I need to verify the missing items first. Create only a list of questions for me to review, using fake data only.
Independent attempt
Write your own steering message for this situation:
Cowork is making a long report, but you only need a one-page manager summary. You also want it to list assumptions separately.
Try writing one sentence with: goal, format, and success criteria.
Final inspection
When Cowork finishes, ask for a handoff summary before using the output.
Before I use this, summarize what you created, what sources or files you used, what assumptions you made, and what I should verify manually.
Accounting safety reminder
If Cowork changed a file, created a spreadsheet, used a connector, or touched a website, inspect the result before relying on it. For payroll, tax, client-sensitive, or filing work, escalate to the appropriate reviewer.
Quick check
Question: Cowork starts using real client details when it should use practice data. Which steering message is best?
B = “This is wrong.”
C = “Pause. Use fake data only. Show the revised plan before continuing.”
Memory practice
From memory, name the four steering moves.
Show answer
Pause, narrow, correct, approve.
Ask the teaching agent
If a Cowork task is drifting, ask: “Help me write a steering message with goal, constraint, safety rule, format, and success criteria.”