Choosing the Right Claude Tool
The previous lesson showed sample prompts. Here is how the four products differ in practice — where they run, what you need installed, and which one fits a given job.
Claude Chat
Browser chat at claude.ai. No local install.
Good fit
- Drafting email, docs, or summaries
- Explaining a topic in plain language
- Brainstorming or Q&A in one thread
Not a fit
Editing files in your repo, batch work on disk, or controlling the browser — unless you add plugins for specific jobs.
Claude Code
CLI in a project directory. Run claude where your code lives.
Good fit
- Features, bug fixes, refactors in git
- Tests tied to existing code
- Changes that must land in real files
You need
A terminal and a checkout of the project. You review diffs before keeping them.
Skills & Plugins
Add-ons inside claude.ai — search, document upload, and other workflows you switch on when needed.
Good fit
- Current information from the web
- Questions about an uploaded PDF or sheet
- Fixed output shapes (reports, quizzes)
vs Chat alone
Chat only sees what you paste. Plugins add search, file read, or connectors you configure.
Claude Cowork
Desktop app for work that crosses files, folders, and the browser.
Good fit
- Bulk file rename or organise
- Form filling from local data
- Collecting data from several sites into one file
vs Chat
Chat replies in text. Cowork performs steps on your machine and leaves files behind.
Comparison
| Product | Runs where | Skill | How it behaves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chat | Browser or mobile app | None | You drive each message |
| Code | Terminal in a project folder | Basic terminal use | Edits files after you approve diffs |
| Skills & Plugins | Browser (claude.ai) | None | You enable plugins per chat |
| Cowork | Desktop app | None | Runs multi-step jobs on your computer |
Same task, different product
Three tasks, three ways Claude can be involved.
Task
Summarise every .txt file in a folder and save the results
Cowork
Opens the folder, reads each file, writes summaries, saves output — you describe the job once.
Code
Writes a small script, runs it in the terminal, and leaves the output in your project.
Chat
You paste file contents one at a time and copy summaries out yourself. Fine for a handful of files.
Task
Build a simple to-do app
Code
Scaffolds the project in your repo, adds files, and can include tests in the same session.
Skills & Plugins
A coding plugin can return a self-contained HTML/JS snippet you copy into an editor.
Chat
Returns code in the chat window; you paste it into your own files manually.
Task
Fill an online form using rows from a spreadsheet
Cowork
Opens the browser, reads the sheet, and fills fields step by step. You review before submit.
Code
Can generate a Playwright (or similar) script you run locally for repeat jobs.
Chat
Not a fit — Chat cannot drive your browser or open local files on its own.
Quick picker
Before you continue
- Chat — browser Q&A and drafting.
- Code — repository changes from the terminal.
- Plugins — extra data sources inside claude.ai.
- Cowork — scripted steps across apps and folders.
- Next: Introduction to Claude Skills.
What's Next
Introduction to Claude Skills — reusable instructions you invoke by name.