6,000 integrations: Anthropic's new Duet app targets the business workflow

Anthropic is staking its claim in the crowded AI assistant market with a new application called Claude Duet, which can connect to over 6,000 existing tools and plugins. This massive library of integrations is the centerpiece of the launch, signaling a shift from simple chatbots to complex, task-executing agents. The company is positioning this release directly against a growing field of competitors, including Meta Muse, OpenAI Dots, Hark, Instinct, Grok Bot, and Fo.

The primary target audience for Duet is professionals and small businesses, rather than the general consumer. Anthropic explicitly distinguishes Duet from personal assistants like Instinct. The new agent is not designed to handle everyday errands, such as booking tickets, nor does it provide a live view of its browser activity as it works. Instead, its focus is on managing workflows and automating professional tasks.

In practice, Duet operates by building daily briefings for users, creating custom dashboards, and suggesting actions based on their specific data. Like other modern agents, it runs tasks in the background using its own virtual machine. This allows users to continue with their day while the agent works, only returning for approval when a decision is required. The system is built on the Claude Opus 5.5 model, which powers these autonomous actions.

This launch coincides with a broader industry trend moving beyond basic AI assistants toward agents that can act on a user's behalf. Many of Anthropic’s rivals are also pivoting toward business use cases. For instance, while Meta’s Muse is primarily a personal assistant, the company has released a specific version for small businesses that connects to other applications. Similarly, OpenAI’s Dots leans into professional environments through its integration with specialized business tools.

A key differentiator for Duet is its proactive nature. As it monitors ongoing tasks, it delivers recommendations without waiting to be asked. To facilitate these workflows, the agent can make online purchases on a user's behalf. It supports this functionality through Stripe’s Link digital wallet or Shopify’s Shop Pay, integrating directly into common e-commerce and payment systems.

Despite its autonomy, Anthropic has set clear boundaries for sensitive actions. Steps involving payments require explicit user approval. The agent is not permitted to trade securities or move money between different accounts, limiting its financial scope to direct purchases via the supported payment partners. This design choice aims to balance efficiency with user control over their financial data.

Security and privacy are central to the new release. Anthropic introduced a new classifier that checks every message to prevent sensitive information from leaking out. By default, the agent is programmed to turn down requests that ask for credit card numbers or government identification, adding a layer of protection against accidental data exposure.

Claude Duet is currently available as a mobile app for both iOS and Android devices. It is also accessible via the web through Claude.ai. The service is in a research preview phase, meaning it is not yet generally available to the public. Currently, it is restricted to Pro and Max customers who must join a waitlist to access the tool.

The introduction of Duet highlights the intensifying competition in the AI agent space. By focusing on professional automation and a deep ecosystem of connectors, Anthropic is aiming to capture users who need their AI to work like a colleague rather than a casual helper. The waitlist model suggests the company is still refining the user experience before a wider rollout.