# Claude Cowork vs Claude Code: cheat sheet

From my video "Claude Cowork vs Claude Code: What's the Difference?".

## The one thing to remember

- **Claude Cowork** is a sandbox. It is locked inside the single folder you select. I call it "Claude Code's little brother": Claude Code with fewer features, to make it safer.
- **Claude Code** is installed on your computer. It can reach any folder you allow and apps that are not in Claude's usual connectors.

## Side by side

| | Claude Cowork | Claude Code |
|---|---|---|
| Where it runs | Claude desktop app, inside one selected folder | Installed on your computer |
| Other folders | Asks you to add the folder to the project (Add Folder + permission) | Can read other folders, without asking if you configure it that way |
| Outside apps | Only through your Connectors | Also through API keys stored in your workspace |
| Version history | Not shown in the video | Works natively with Git |
| Splitting work | Subagents (ask for them explicitly) | Agents of set types (general use, scan, explore) plus dynamic workflows that create custom subagents for your task |
| Parallel work | Yes, leave a session and start another | Yes, leave a session and start another |
| Best for | Tools that only reach you: a personal CRM, a marketing app, a web app, Artifacts with real-time data | Work that needs your scattered files, outside apps, large analysis |
| Moving to another AI tool | Harder | Simple (for example Codex or OpenCode) |

## Run the tests yourself

### 1. Folder access

In Cowork (with your work folder selected), then in Claude Code (opened in the same folder):

Cowork:
```
Hey, Claude, can you please open the Downloads folder for me? Just tell me what's inside there.
```

Claude Code:
```
Hey, Claude, what's inside of my Downloads folder, please? Don't name any application, just tell me how many gigabytes of data are in there.
```

Expected: Cowork asks you to add the folder. Claude Code checks it without asking for permission.

### 2. An app outside your connectors (API key)

Swap TheirStack for an app whose API key sits in your workspace.

Cowork:
```
TheirStack is connected on this workspace through an API key. Can you please use that API key to check how many credits are remaining in my account?
```

Claude Code:
```
Hey, there's a TheirStack API key inside of this workspace. Can you tell me how many credits are remaining? I just want how many credits are remaining inside of that account. Don't show me anything else.
```

Expected: Cowork says it runs in a sandbox and cannot do it. Claude Code returns the answer.

### 3. Subagents in Cowork

```
Hey, Claude, can you please search for the latest news on AI in France and Germany, and please use two subagents for this.
```

Expected: Cowork shows two subagents running, one per country.

## Which one should you use?

- Building something only you will use, inside one folder: Cowork is fine.
- Anything that needs files from across your computer, apps reached by API key, version history or large analysis: Claude Code.
- My advice: switch to Claude Code as soon as you can, so your work stays yours and you avoid vendor lock-in.