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Getting Started with Claude for Chrome

Updated this week

Claude for Chrome is available in beta for all Max plan users on the Chrome web browser.

Claude for Chrome is a browser extension that allows Claude to read, click, and navigate websites alongside you. Claude works directly in the side panel while you browse, seeing what you see and taking actions when you ask.

Important: Browser use is a beta feature that allows Claude to interact directly with websites on your behalf, which carries inherent risks. Please review Using Claude for Chrome Safely before use.

What's New

After months of testing, Claude for Chrome is now available in beta to all Max plan subscribers.

Note: To follow along with Claude for Chrome updates, refer to our extension-specific release notes.

Scheduled tasks

Set recurring browser tasks to run automatically on your schedule. Set it once and Claude handles it from there—daily, weekly, monthly, or annually.

You can schedule your Claude for Chrome shortcuts to run automatically by clicking the clock icon in the upper right corner of the extension panel.

Follow Claude’s plan

Use “Ask before acting” to have Claude create a plan for your approval, then let it execute the entire workflow independently within those approved boundaries. Aside from certain high-risk actions, Claude won't ask for permission until it's done or encounters something outside the plan. Learn more about this permission mode in our Claude for Chrome Permissions Guide.

Model selection

Choose the model that best fits your task:

  • Opus 4.5: Maximum reasoning power for the most demanding workflows

  • Sonnet 4.5: Best for complex, multi-step tasks

  • Haiku 4.5: Optimized for speed and responsiveness

Switch between models anytime based on what you need.


Installing Claude for Chrome

  1. Open a Google Chrome browser (not supported on mobile devices).

  2. Visit the Chrome Web Store to find Claude for Chrome.

  3. Click "Add to Chrome" to install the extension.

  4. Sign in with your Claude account credentials when prompted.

  5. Pin the extension by clicking the puzzle piece icon, then the thumbtack next to "Claude."

  6. Grant the necessary permissions to enable Claude to interact with your browser.

The Claude icon will appear in your Chrome toolbar. Click it to open Claude in a side panel that stays visible while you browse.


Permissions required to install Claude for Chrome

You will need to grant Claude for Chrome the following permissions to install and use the extension:

Permission

Why Claude Needs This

sidePanel

This lets Claude appear as a panel on the side of your browser, so you can chat with Claude while browsing any website.

storage

This lets Claude save your preferences so they're still there when you close and reopen your browser.

scripting

This lets Claude read text on webpages so it can help you with tasks.

debugger

This is what allows Claude to actually control your browser – clicking buttons, typing text, and taking screenshots – when you ask it to complete tasks for you.

tabGroups

This lets Claude organize tabs it opens into a separate group with a different color, so you can easily tell which tabs Claude is using versus your personal browsing.

tabs

This lets Claude open, close, and switch between browser tabs when completing tasks for you.

alarms

This lets Claude run scheduled tasks at specific times you choose – like checking something on a website at a set time every day.

notifications

This lets Claude send you a notification on your computer when it finishes a task or needs you to take action.

system.display

This lets Claude know the size of your screen so it can accurately click in the right places when automating tasks.

webNavigation

This lets Claude intervene if it detects that you are on a high-risk website.

declarativeNetRequestWithHostAccess

This lets the extension identify itself to Anthropic's servers, helping us understand how the browser extension is being used and troubleshoot any issues.

offscreen

This lets Claude play notification sounds in the background when your attention is needed.

nativeMessaging

This will let the extension seamlessly integrate with other Anthropic products on your computer like Claude Desktop or Claude Code once we enable that capability.

downloads

This lets Claude download files from websites and open them when you ask it to save or work with files as part of an automated workflow.

unlimitedStorage

This lets Claude store more data locally (like complex instructions for a detailed workflow) beyond the normal limits that Chrome sets for extensions.

Refer to the Google Chrome Permissions documentation for more information.

Core Capabilities

Multi-tab functionality

Claude can manage multiple browser tabs simultaneously. Drag tabs into Claude's designated tab group to enable Claude to view and interact with all grouped tabs at once—eliminating the need to manually switch between tabs to compile information.

Enhanced site navigation

Claude has built-in knowledge of how to navigate popular platforms including Slack, Google Calendar, Gmail, Google Docs, and GitHub. Simple commands like "schedule a meeting" or "update the doc" work without detailed step-by-step instructions. We're continuously expanding Claude's site-specific capabilities.

Background workflows

Claude handles complex, multi-step workflows and keeps working even when you switch tabs (as long as Chrome is open). Enable notifications to receive alerts when Claude requires permission or completes a task, allowing you to focus on other work while Claude processes tasks in the background.

Visual context sharing

Share visual information directly with Claude by uploading images or capturing screenshots of specific screen regions. Point Claude to the exact button, field, or detail—much faster than describing complex layouts in words.

Image uploads

Give Claude an image and tell it where to upload, whether it's an expense report, form attachment, or picture upload.

Shortcuts

Save your best-working prompts as shortcuts (also called /slash commands) and reuse these proven workflows instantly:

  1. After crafting a prompt that works well, save it as a shortcut.

  2. Access your saved shortcuts by typing "/" in the chat.

  3. Select your shortcut to instantly apply the same instructions.

  4. Edit or delete shortcuts through the extension settings.

You can also schedule shortcuts to automate recurring tasks.

Contextual suggestions

Get prompt suggestions and helpful tips based on the website you're visiting, so you always have a starting point with Claude.


Next Steps

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