# Claude Cowork Starter Prompts

30 copy-paste prompts for Claude Cowork, grouped by the job you want done. Replace every [bracket] with your own details. Each prompt names the role, the folder, the output and one safety rule, so Claude knows what to do and what not to touch.

Before you start: use a practice folder with copies of your files, pick Manual mode so you approve each step, and read the plan before you say yes. Plans and features change often, so check Anthropic's current steps: https://support.claude.com/en/articles/13345190-get-started-with-claude-cowork

## How to use a prompt

1. Give Cowork one folder (a copy, not your originals).
2. Paste the prompt and fill in the brackets.
3. Read the plan Claude shows you. Fix anything that looks wrong before approving.
4. Check the result against the original before you use it.
5. If it worked, save the prompt and reuse it or schedule it.

## A. Understand your files

1. You are my research assistant. Read every file in this folder and give me a one-page summary: what is here, the five most important points, and anything that looks unfinished. Do not change or delete any file.

2. Read the documents in this folder and list every date, deadline and amount you find, with the file name next to each one. Save it as key-facts.md. Do not edit the originals.

3. Compare [file A] and [file B]. Tell me what is different, what is missing from each, and which one looks more recent. Keep it under 300 words.

4. Go through this folder and tell me which files look like duplicates or old versions. Show me a table only. Do not delete or move anything.

5. Read [the report] and explain it to me like I am new to [topic]. Use short sentences, define any hard word, and end with three questions I should ask next.

## B. Turn messy files into something clean

6. You are my admin assistant. This folder has [invoices / receipts / forms] as [PDF / images]. Create a spreadsheet with one row per file and these columns: [date, name, amount, status]. Save it as [name].xlsx. Flag any file you could not read.

7. Read the notes in this folder and turn them into one clean document with headings and bullet points. Keep my wording where it is clear. Save it as clean-notes.docx and leave the originals alone.

8. Look at the files in this folder and suggest a naming pattern that starts with the date. Show me old and new names in a table first. Wait for my approval before renaming anything.

9. Sort the files in this folder into sensible sub-folders by topic. Show me the plan first. Move nothing until I say go, and never delete anything.

10. Extract every name, email and phone number from the files in this folder into a table with the source file next to each row. Flag anything you are unsure about instead of guessing.

## C. Meetings and weekly admin

11. Read the meeting notes in this folder. Create an action list with owner, deadline and status. If the owner or deadline is missing, write "unclear" instead of guessing.

12. Every [Friday at 4pm], read the notes in this project folder and draft a weekly update for [my team] with three headings: Done, In progress, Next. Keep it under [200] words. Save it as weekly-update.md.

13. Read the notes from [today's meeting] and write a short follow-up message to [attendees]. Include decisions made, next steps and who owns each one. Keep the tone [friendly and direct].

14. Look at this folder of notes and tell me what decisions are still waiting on someone. List who, what, and how long it has been waiting.

15. Prepare me for my meeting with [person or company] using the files in this folder. Give me a one-page brief: background, what they want, what I want, and three questions to ask.

## D. Writing and content

16. You are my editor. Read [draft] and fix spelling, grammar and unclear sentences. Keep my voice. Save the edited version as a new file and add a short list of the biggest changes.

17. Turn [the article / notes] into five social posts for [LinkedIn]. Each post should have one clear idea, a short first line that makes people stop, and no hashtags beyond [two].

18. Read the files in this folder and draft a newsletter for [audience]. Use this structure: one headline, a short intro, three sections, one call to action. Keep it under [400] words.

19. Write a first draft of [a one-page proposal] for [client or project] using the details in this folder. Mark every place where you had to guess with [CHECK].

20. Rewrite [document] for a beginner with no background in [topic]. Replace jargon with plain words and add a short glossary at the end.

## E. Research and decisions

21. Search for [topic] and write a one-page brief with five key findings. For each one, include the source link so I can check it. Say clearly what you could not confirm.

22. Compare [option A], [option B] and [option C] for [my goal]. Build a table with price, pros, cons and who each one suits. Link every fact to its source.

23. Read the files in this folder and list the risks you can see in [the plan / contract / project]. Rank them from most to least serious and suggest one next step for each.

24. I need to decide [decision]. Using the files in this folder, give me the case for, the case against, and what information is still missing. Do not make the decision for me.

25. Find [number] [competitors / tools / examples] of [thing] and put them in a spreadsheet with name, link, price and one line on what makes each different.

## F. Money, clients and small business

26. Read the invoices in this folder and tell me which are unpaid, which are overdue, and the total owed. Draft a polite reminder email for each overdue client. Do not send anything.

27. Go through these receipts and sort them into categories like [travel, software, meals, office]. Show totals per category in a table and flag anything unclear.

28. Read this client email thread and draft a reply that answers every question, stays [warm and professional], and ends with one clear next step. Do not send it.

29. Look at the feedback in this folder and group it into themes. For each theme, give the count, two example quotes and one suggested fix.

30. Make a simple one-page checklist from the steps in [process document] so a new team member could follow it without asking me questions.

## Safety rules to paste into any prompt

- Do not rename, move or delete any original file.
- Save new work as new files.
- Ask me before doing anything not listed here.
- If something is unclear, ask instead of guessing.
- At the end, list what you changed and anything you skipped.

Claude Cowork Starter Prompts from https://coding180.com