# Claude Cowork Task Brief Templates

Fill-in templates for giving Claude Cowork clear jobs. Replace every [bracket] with your own details. Start in Manual mode, use a practice folder with copies, and read the plan before you approve it. Plans and features change often, so check Anthropic's current steps: https://support.claude.com/en/articles/13345190-get-started-with-claude-cowork

## 1. The basic task brief

You are my [role, for example admin assistant]. This folder contains [what the files are]. Your task: [the outcome you want]. Output: [file type and name, for example summary.docx] saved in this folder. Rules: do not rename, move or delete any original file. Ask me before doing anything not listed here.

## 2. Folder instructions (paste into the folder instructions box)

- Never delete or overwrite an original file. Save new files with a new name.
- Write in plain English, short sentences, no jargon.
- Use dates in [dd/mm/yyyy] format.
- If something is unclear, ask me before guessing.
- At the end, list what you changed and anything you skipped.

## 3. Folder summary

You are my research assistant. Read the files in this folder. Give me a one-page summary with the five most important points and a list of anything that looks unfinished. Do not change or delete any file.

## 4. Document to spreadsheet

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 in this folder. Flag any file you could not read.

## 5. File clean-up (with approval)

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

## 6. Weekly update (good to schedule)

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.

## 7. Meeting notes to action list

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

## Pre-run checklist

- [ ] Practice folder with copies, not originals
- [ ] Manual mode selected
- [ ] Folder instructions added
- [ ] Output name and location stated
- [ ] "Do not delete" rule included
- [ ] Plan read before approving

## After-run checklist

- [ ] Compare two or three results with the source files
- [ ] Confirm only expected files changed
- [ ] Ask Claude: "What did you assume or skip?"
- [ ] Save the brief if it worked, then reuse or schedule it

Claude Cowork Task Brief Templates from https://coding180.com