Claude Cowork Setup Workflow

Step 1. Download Claude and open Cowork → Go to Claude.com/download. → Install the desktop app. → Click the Cowork tab at the top. → You need a Pro plan ($20/mo). Worth it. Step 2. Select the right model (don't skip this) → Click the model dropdown. → Select "Opus 4.6." → Turn on "Extended Thinking." → Never change these. Wrong model = bad output. Step 3. Build your folder → Create one master folder on your computer. → Inside it, create 4 subfolders: • ABOUT ME - who you are + how you write • PROJECTS - one subfolder per live project • TEMPLATES - your best work as structures • OUTPUTS - where Claude saves finished files → Upload this folder. That's how it reads you. Step 4. Create 3 context files inside ABOUT ME → These replace prompting. This is the setup. → Create them as .md files. Plain text, saved as .md • about-me.md - what you do day-to-day. • my-voice.md - tone, phrases you hate, 3 example • my-rules.md - ask first, show a plan, get approval Step 5. Set Global Instructions (once, forever) Go to Settings → Cowork → Edit Global Instructions. → Paste: "I'm [Name], [Role]. Read my files before every task. Ask clarifying questions before executing. Show a plan before acting. Never delete without my approval." → You set this once. It runs every session. → Your prompts can now be 10 words long.