Cowork adds plugins to customize Claude usage

The company has launched this functionality as a research preview for all paid Claude users. Plugins allow configuration of how Claude should perform work, which tools and data it can use, and which workflows it should follow. This way, teams can obtain more consistent results adapted to their internal processes.

Anthropic has released 11 open-source plugins developed and used by its own team. These include options for productivity, enterprise search, sales, finance, data analysis, legal, marketing, customer support, product management, and biological research. It also includes a plugin to create and customize new plugins from scratch.

Plugins work for any use case but are especially useful for adapting Claude to specific functions such as sales, legal, or financial analysis. A sales plugin, for example, can connect Claude with the company's CRM and knowledge base, teach it the sales process, and offer commands for prospect research or call follow-ups. Once the plugin content is defined, Claude can extract that context when needed.

Users can install these plugins directly from Cowork, explore the complete collection on the company's website, or upload their own custom plugins. All components are file-based, facilitating their construction, editing, and sharing. Each plugin can be customized using Claude to adjust it to the particular needs of each user or team.

Plugin functionality has been available since January 30, 2026. Currently, plugins are saved locally on each device. The company has announced that organizational-level management and sharing capabilities, including support for private plugin marketplaces, will arrive in the coming weeks.

Key points

• Anthropic launches plugin support in Cowork for all paid Claude users as a research preview
• Plugins allow grouping of skills, connectors, commands, and sub-agents to adapt Claude to specific roles and organizational processes
• The company releases 11 open-source plugins in areas such as productivity, sales, finance, legal, marketing, and data analysis
• Plugins are especially useful for specialized functions like sales, where they can connect with CRM and enterprise knowledge bases
• All plugin components are file-based, facilitating their construction, editing, and sharing
• Plugins are currently saved locally on each device
• Organizational-level management and sharing functions will arrive in the coming weeks