Claude Cowork Can Build Skills by Watching You
You will know when to record a skill in Claude Cowork and when to build it by talking instead, and you will have recorded, reviewed and saved a browser skill for an app Claude cannot connect to.
O que você precisa
A Claude account with Claude Cowork
A microphone, so you can narrate while you record
One repetitive task you do in the browser (the video uses replying to YouTube comments)
Passo a passo
Ask if Claude can connect to the app
Before building any skill, ask: can I plug Claude directly into this application? Check three routes: an MCP (anything in the Connectors tab of your Claude app), an API (Claude Code can walk you through getting one for most services), or a CLI (optional, for advanced users). You can also ask Claude to do the connection for you.
If it connects, build the skill by talking
If any of those three methods works, skip recording. Build the skill by talking with Claude instead: it is more efficient. For example, YouTube has an API that can get your comments.
Record only when logging in is the only way
Use recording when the only way into the app is logging in yourself (browser use automation). Typical cases: social media platforms, legacy software such as accounting tools or ERPs, or apps whose connection is very expensive. Browser use is slow, so treat it as a last resort.
Start a recording session
In Claude Cowork, click the plus button and choose Record a Skill. This starts the recording session. Claude records your screen and your microphone at the same time.
Do the task and say what you are doing
Show Claude the whole task, start to finish. In the video: open the comment section of a video, like a comment, heart it, read it and reply. Talk out loud while you work, since Claude analyzes both the recording and what you say.
Move precisely, then click Done
Claude takes a screenshot every time you click or scroll (the demo logged 68 steps in about 50 seconds), so keep your movements deliberate. When you are happy with the result, click Done. Claude analyzes the recording and builds the skill, which takes a few moments.
Answer Claude's questions and review the skill
Claude summarizes what it recorded and asks follow-up questions. Answer them, then read the generated skill: its description, the input it expects (a video URL in the demo) and the actions it matched to each button.
Save it and reuse it elsewhere
Save the skill. A skill built in Cowork is not locked to Cowork: Claude Code or any other application with browser access can use it too.
Fique atento a
Every click and scroll becomes a screenshot and a step, so sloppy or extra movements end up in the skill.
Recording a skill for an app Claude can already connect to (MCP, API or CLI) is the slower path. Build it by talking instead.
Browser use automation is very slow. Use it only when there is no other way in.
You do not need a CLI. An MCP or an API connection is completely fine.
