Anthropic upgrades Claude’s computer use to run in the background on Mac

Anthropic has launched background computer use for Claude Code on macOS, available to Pro and Max customers, enabling the AI agent to operate without taking over the user's cursor. The feature follows OpenAI's earlier introduction of background computer use for ChatGPT on Mac this year, and is positioned as a multitasking improvement for Claude's desktop app.

While computer use isn’t new for Claude on the desktop, running it in the background is a nice upgrade. Anthropic shared today that background computer use is available for Claude Code, only on macOS, for Pro and Max customers. OpenAI’s Codex-turned-ChatGPT first brought background computer use https://9to5mac.com/2026/08/31/codex-report-four-months-of-building-joy-on-my-mac-with-chatgpt/ to the Mac earlier this year. It’s good to see Anthropic’s Claude Mac app improve their version. AI-driven computer use is a lot less helpful when it means giving over your cursor to the agent. When it runs in the background, it’s a major multitasking unlock on the Mac. Learn more about Claude’s computer use feature for Code https://code.claude.com/docs/en/desktop let-claude-use-your-computer and Cowork https://support.claude.com/en/articles/14128542-let-claude-use-your-computer-in-cowork . Do more with your Apple products Apple AirTag 2 | Add Find My tracking to keys, bags, bikes, more https://amzn.to/4vjNWN1 AirPods 4 | Apple’s newest wireless headphones https://amzn.to/43ndewV AirPods Pro 3 | Apple’s best wireless headphones https://amzn.to/4ut3FYp Beats USB-A to USB-C Cable | The official CarPlay cable https://amzn.to/4mpKs7K FTC: We use income earning auto affiliate links. More. https://9to5mac.com/about/ affiliate our homepage http://9to5mac.com/ for all the latest news, and follow 9to5Mac on exclusive stories https://9to5mac.com/feature/exclusive/ , reviews https://9to5mac.com/guides/review/ , how-tos https://9to5mac.com/guides/how-to/ , and subscribe to our YouTube channel https://www.youtube.com/9to5mac