SmartConstructAI · Feature Guide

How to Use Claude Cowork

The key workflows, power features, and ready-to-use prompts to get the most out of Claude Desktop's Cowork mode in your day-to-day work.

Core Workflows
What You'll Actually Use Cowork For
📄
Create Documents
  • Tell Claude what document you need
  • Specify format: DOCX, PDF, Excel, HTML
  • Claude creates it in your folder
  • Open, review, and use immediately
🔍
Research & Analyse
  • Ask Claude to read a file or document
  • Ask questions or request a summary
  • Claude pulls in web search if needed
  • Get a structured, cited answer
🤖
Automate Tasks
  • Describe the task you want automated
  • Claude connects to your apps via MCPs
  • Schedule it to run automatically
  • Get results delivered to you
📧
Draft Communications
  • Paste in notes or bullet points
  • Specify recipient, tone, and length
  • Claude drafts a professional message
  • Review and send — 5 minutes, not 30
📊
Build Reports
  • Point Claude at your data files
  • Describe the report format needed
  • Claude formats, calculates, and structures
  • Export as PDF or XLSX
🔗
Connect Your Apps
  • Install an MCP connector (Gmail, Drive, etc.)
  • Authenticate via OAuth
  • Ask Claude to pull, update, or create records
  • Claude acts within the app on your behalf
Power Features
Cowork Capabilities That Change How You Work
🧠
Persistent Memory (CLAUDE.md)
Claude remembers your preferences, projects, and context across sessions. Keep a CLAUDE.md file in your workspace — Claude reads it automatically.
📂
File System Access
Claude can read any file in your workspace folder — Word docs, PDFs, CSVs, images. Point it at a file and ask questions or make edits.
⏰
Scheduled Tasks
Tell Claude to run a task every day, every Monday, or at a specific time. It runs in the background — no manual trigger needed.
🔧
Skills & Plugins
Install purpose-built skills for document creation, SEO audits, financial reports, code review, and more. Each skill knows exactly how to do its job.
🌐
Web Search & Browse
Claude can search the web and visit pages in real time. Ask it to research a topic, check a fact, or pull pricing from a supplier website.
💻
Run Code (Bash / Python)
Claude can execute scripts in a sandboxed environment — process data, run calculations, generate files, or automate file system operations.
Ready-to-Use Prompts
Copy These Into Cowork and Customise
Generate a report
"Read the file [filename] and create a 1-page executive summary in PDF format. Include key dates, risks, and recommended actions."
Draft an email
"Draft a professional email to [name] regarding [topic]. Tone: firm but collaborative. Keep it under 200 words. Sign off from Nicholas Porter."
Analyse a document
"Read [contract/spec filename] and summarise the key obligations, risk clauses, and payment terms in a table."
Schedule a recurring task
"Every Monday at 8am, pull my unread emails from Gmail, summarise any action items, and save to a file called weekly-actions.md."
Build a spreadsheet
"Create an Excel spreadsheet tracking [project name] progress: columns for task, responsible, start date, due date, status, and notes."
Research a topic
"Search the web and give me a summary of the current best practices for [topic] relevant to the Australian construction industry."
Best Practices
Do This, Not That
✓ Do
  • Be specific about format, length, and audience
  • Keep CLAUDE.md updated with your current projects
  • Start with one task — automate it well before adding more
  • Review AI-generated documents before sending
  • Use scheduled tasks for anything you do weekly
✗ Don't
  • Send vague instructions — "write a report" tells Claude nothing
  • Assume Claude knows your project history without CLAUDE.md
  • Try to automate 10 things at once — build one workflow at a time
  • Share sensitive passwords or keys in chat
  • Trust AI output for legal or financial decisions without review
Need a custom Claude Cowork setup for your construction team?
We configure skills, connect your apps, and train your team to use Claude effectively.
smartconstructai.com.au