You open Claude and the empty chat box does not explain which button to press next. Start with the plain prompt box, then add the app, files, model controls, search, voice, or workplace tools only when the task needs them. Here is the clean order to use Claude without chasing old settings or missing the current controls.
Start chatting in Claude from a browser
This fixes the basic setup question: use Claude first as a regular chat app at claude.ai.
Go to claude.ai in your web browser.
Sign in, or create an account if you do not have one.
Click the chat box and type the task you want Claude to handle.
Click the submit button to send your prompt.
Use the + button in the lower-left corner, or type /, to open extra options and commands.
Install Claude on your phone or computer
Use the official download page so you get the current Claude app for your device.
- 1.Open claude.com/download.
- 2.Choose the official option shown for your platform: Download for macOS, Download for Windows, Windows (arm64), Download for ChromeOS, Download for Linux, Download iOS app, or Download Android app.
- 3.Install Claude from the route shown for your platform.
- 4.Open Claude and sign in.
- 5.Start a new chat, type your prompt in the message box, and send it.
Pick a model and effort level
Open an existing chat or start a new one, then click the model name next to the send button. Choose another Claude model from the menu, or click More models to see additional options.
For supported models, click Effort and choose the effort level. Mouse over Effort and switch the Thinking toggle on or off. For other models, use the Extended toggle.
If the model or effort option is missing, use the visible model menu options; on Enterprise accounts, admins control which models and effort levels appear.
Attach a file or photo
Use uploads when Claude needs a document, spreadsheet, image, or notes from your device. Supported examples include PDF, DOCX, CSV, TXT, HTML, ODT, RTF, EPUB, JSON, XLSX with code execution and file creation enabled, plus JPEG, PNG, GIF, and WebP images.
Click the + button in the lower-left corner of the chat box.
Select Add files or photos.
Choose the file from your device.
Click Open to attach it.
Drag and drop files into the chat window when that is faster.
Copy an image and paste it from your clipboard when the image is already open.
Create downloadable files
This fixes file output: Claude can create or edit spreadsheets, presentations, documents, and PDFs.
Ask Claude in plain language to create or edit the file you need, such as an Excel spreadsheet, PowerPoint presentation, Word document, or PDF.
Open Settings when Claude needs file creation enabled.
Choose Capabilities.
Toggle Code execution and file creation on.
On mobile, tap your initials or name in the left sidebar.
Open Settings.
Select Capabilities.
Toggle Code execution and file creation on or off.
Organize bigger work with Projects and Artifacts
Projects keep related chats and background material together. Hover over the left side of your account and click Projects, or go to claude.ai/projects, then click + New Project.
Give the project a name and description. On Team or Enterprise, choose visibility settings. Start chats inside the project.
To add project knowledge, click the + button in the project knowledge base and upload files. Click Set project instructions, add instructions, and click Save instructions. Free users can create up to five projects; enhanced RAG project knowledge requires Pro, Max, Team, or Enterprise.
Artifacts are for substantial standalone content such as apps, documents, code, diagrams, and visualizations. Turn on Code execution and file creation, ask Claude to create the item, then work with it in the dedicated window to the right of chat. Ask Claude to update it, use Edit with Claude on supported Markdown text, switch versions, copy, download, or publish.
If Projects or Artifacts do not appear, check the plan requirement for the feature and confirm Code execution and file creation is enabled.
Turn on web search or Research
Click the slider icon in the chat input interface.
Find Web search in the dropdown.
Switch the Web search toggle on.
Ask Claude a question that needs current or sourced information.
To disable search, open the same slider menu and switch Web search off.
For deeper research on Pro, Max, Team, or Enterprise, keep web search on.
Click the + button at the bottom left of the chat interface.
Click Research.
Ask the research question after the blue indicator appears at the bottom of the chat window.
Click the blue indicator again to disable Research.
Use Web search for current questions, and use Research for paid-plan research tasks that need more gathering and comparison.
Use voice, shortcuts, and widgets
This fixes hands-free use and faster access from desktop or mobile.
For full voice mode on web or Claude Desktop, log in and start a new chat.
Tap the sound wave symbol in the lower-right corner of the chat window.
Speak your prompt.
Click Stop to leave voice mode.
On mobile, open Claude and tap the voice mode icon.
Choose a voice and start speaking.
For dictation on Claude Mobile, start a new chat.
Tap the microphone icon on the right side of the chat input field.
Dictate your prompt.
Tap the arrow icon to send, or tap X to cancel.
On iPhone with iOS 18 or above, use Ask Claude from Spotlight, Siri, the Share menu, or Shortcuts.
Add Claude widgets on iPhone from Edit, then Add Widget, then Claude, then Add Widget, then Done.
On Android 8.0 Oreo or above, touch and hold an empty area on the home screen.
Tap Widgets.
Find Claude.
Drag the widget into place.
On Mac, enable quick entry by checking Turn on shortcut in the first Claude Desktop prompt, then click Continue.
Double-tap Option from any app to open quick entry.
Manage Mac quick entry and voice dictation in Claude Desktop under Settings and General.
Connect Claude to work apps
This applies when your workspace has installed or approved Claude for tools such as Slack, Microsoft 365, Chrome, or connectors. Your plan, app, and workspace settings determine which integrations appear.
Claude in Slack now runs as Claude Tag, which is available on Team and Enterprise plans only, not on Free, Pro, or Max. Installing the Slack app is a prerequisite, not the setup: an Owner in your Claude organization pairs the Slack workspace and provisions Claude Tag once at claude.ai/admin-settings/claude-tag, then gives it the connections it is allowed to reach. After that, mention @Claude in a channel or thread and it picks the message up, with no per-user setup. The earlier per-user Claude in Slack app, shown as Legacy in admin settings, is being deprecated, and channels left on Legacy stop responding after the cutover.
To direct-message Claude in Slack, search for @Claude, click Claude, then click the Chat tab. A DM runs on your own claude.ai account instead of the channel's setup, so it follows your usual usage limits, and an Owner can disable direct messages for the whole organization.
Working across Microsoft 365 apps needs a paid plan — Pro, Max, Team, or Enterprise — plus the Claude for Excel, PowerPoint, Word, and Outlook add-ins from the Microsoft Marketplace.
Open Excel, PowerPoint, Word, or Outlook and activate the add-in at least once: Tools then Add-ins on Mac, or Home then Add-ins on Windows.
Open Settings in each add-in and toggle Let Claude work across files on. It is on by default on Pro and Max, and off by default on Team and Enterprise.
On Team or Enterprise, an organization owner has to open Organization settings, choose Office agents, and turn on Let Claude work across apps before anyone can enable it individually.
Keep the files you want Claude to use open. Claude can only read from and write to files that are already open, and it cannot create, open, close, or switch files from the add-ins.
Describe the task so Claude can read from and write to the open files.
For connectors, click the + button in chat or type /.
Hover over Connectors.
Choose Manage connectors.
Click the + button next to Connectors.
Choose a connector.
Review its description and capabilities.
Click Connect or Install.
Follow the authentication prompts and configure permissions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who can use Claude?
Claude is available to users age 18 and older in supported locations, according to the provided Claude getting-started research.
Which Claude features require a paid plan?
Research mode requires Pro, Max, Team, or Enterprise. Enhanced RAG project knowledge also requires Pro, Max, Team, or Enterprise.
Does Mac quick entry work on Windows?
No. Quick entry is not available on Windows, so Windows users still use Claude Desktop as a regular chat app. It works on macOS, and on Claude Desktop for Linux the Quick Entry global hotkey works on X11; on native Wayland it relies on your desktop's GlobalShortcuts portal.
How do I delete my Claude account?
Log in, click your initials or name in the lower-left corner, select Settings, open Account, click Delete account, and follow the prompts. Pro or Max users should cancel billing first and wait until the subscription period ends.
