Getting Started with Claude Tools
Not sure where to begin? Pick the path that fits you.
I'm new to Claude
Claude is an AI assistant by Anthropic, delivered through the Claude Desktop app. The app has three modes: Chat (the basic assistant, for everyone), Cowork (team/power-user mode with connectors and skills, for most business users), and Code (developer mode, for engineers). Start with Chat; graduate as you go. You do not need a command line for any of this.
A three-step path that gets you to real value in about 30 minutes:
Drop a PDF in and ask questions
The PDF skill is built into Claude — no install. If you've never used Claude before, this is your five-minute first experience. Open the Desktop app, attach a document, and ask 'summarise this' or 'what's the risk clause?'
Connect Notion so Claude can see your work
Cowork is the team/power-user mode in the Desktop app. Open the Customize panel, browse connectors, and add Notion. Now Claude can read your pages and databases, and generate new ones — without copy-paste.
Paste in a memory pattern so Claude remembers you
A one-page text pattern you paste into the Customize panel (Folder Instructions). Claude now remembers your role, preferences, and context across every session — no more re-briefing.
My team just got Claude Cowork
Find tools for your department. Each page shows what's available, how to set it up, and what your team can actually do with it.
I'm evaluating Claude for my organization
Start with the Deployment Playbook — covers costs, risks, what to deploy first, and how to measure ROI. Then use the Evaluation Guide to vet specific tools. Check Tools We Don't Recommend to see what we've excluded and why.