Lesson 11 · Capstone practice

Choose the right Claude tool for the job

Practice deciding whether to use Chat, file upload, Projects, Cowork, or Claude Code for common accounting scenarios.

Primary sources

This capstone pulls together Anthropic's official guides for Claude Chat, file uploads, Projects, Claude Cowork, and Claude Code.

The one idea

Choose Chat, files, Projects, Cowork, or Code based on task size and risk

Do not choose the most powerful Claude feature first. Choose the smallest safe tool that can do the work.

Specificity scaffold: weak choice vs strong choice

Vague attempt

I need Claude for this accounting thing.

This does not identify the task, source, risk, output, or tool.

Improved attempt

I need a one-time polite email asking a client for missing receipts. No file analysis is needed, and I will use fake details. I should use Claude Chat and ask for a short email draft with a subject line.

This chooses the surface and explains why.

Anatomy of a good tool choice

Goal: What are you trying to finish?

Source: Is the information in your head, a file, a Project, a connected tool, or code?

Risk: Does it involve client data, numbers, payroll, tax, or file changes?

Format: What should Claude produce: email, table, checklist, report, spreadsheet, or plan?

Success criteria: What would make the output ready for human review?

Guided practice: choose before prompting

Three accounting scenario cards with likely Claude surfaces
  1. Missing receipts: One quick email → likely Chat.
  2. Vendor contract: Need dates and risks from an approved document → likely file upload or connector.
  3. Close package: Need checklist, risk table, and manager update → likely Cowork, if approved.

Independent attempt

For this scenario, choose the Claude surface and write a first prompt:

You need to prepare a short status update for your manager about month-end close. You have no confidential numbers yet. You want a professional bullet list with placeholders.

Your answer should include: tool choice, why, and prompt.

Show one possible answer

Tool: Claude Chat, because this is a one-time draft and no files are needed.

Prompt: Create a short manager status update for month-end close using placeholders only. Format it as 5 professional bullets: completed, in progress, blocked, risks, and next steps. Do not include real company numbers.

Accounting safety reminder

If the task involves real client data, payroll, tax, bank records, filing obligations, or changing files, slow down. Check employer rules and use the four review checks: facts, numbers, assumptions, and permission.

Quick check

Question: You need one quick explanation of “accrual” in plain English. Which tool is the best first choice?

A = Claude Chat.
B = Claude Cowork.
C = Claude Code.

Memory practice

From memory, name the five choices in the selector.

Show answer

Chat, files, Projects, Cowork, Code.

Ask the teaching agent

For any real situation, ask: “Help me choose the smallest safe Claude tool for this task, then help me write the prompt.”