Claude Cowork Quick Start for Marketers

What will I be able to do after this training?

Download and install the GrowthOS plugin for Claude Cowork and run the guided Quick Start
Set up a complete business workspace with core files, routines, and workflows — all managed by Claude
Understand the three GrowthOS components (Core, Routines, Workflows) and how they work together
Connect Claude to tools like Google Drive, Gmail, Slack, Notion, Zoom, Beehiiv, Canva, and Zapier
Apply the "Let Claude Cook" and "Move Slow and Fix Things" philosophies to build reliable automations

What are the key terms?

Claude Cowork: a desktop AI application (Mac + PC) that works on your local files, connects to business tools, and runs as an agent — not just a chatbot
GrowthOS: a plugin and system for setting up Claude Cowork specifically for marketing and business growth
Plugin: an installable .zip file that adds skills, capabilities, and folder structures to Claude Cowork
Rooting (Mounting): giving Claude Cowork access to a specific folder on your computer so it can read, create, and organize files
CLAUDE.md: the master instructions file at the root of your folder — Claude reads it automatically and updates it as it learns your preferences
Connectors: built-in integrations (Notion, Slack, Gmail, etc.) that let Claude pull data from and push changes back to your tools
Core Files: your business source-of-truth documents — offers, persona, brand design, brand voice, business info, and content rules
Routines: automated sequences triggered by phrases (e.g., "good morning") that run multi-step tasks on a schedule
Workflows: project-based folders where Claude manages ongoing work like LinkedIn content, newsletters, or email campaigns
Markdown (.md): the simple text format Claude uses for all its files — human-readable and easy to edit

Why does the shift from chatbots to agents matter?

AI has evolved through three distinct levels, and Claude Cowork represents the jump to the third:

Level	Type	What it does	Example
Level 1	Chatbots	Answers questions, writes text	Early ChatGPT
Level 2	Reasoners	Thinks through complex problems	ChatGPT with o1, Claude Chat
Level 3	Agents	Takes action — creates files, connects tools, automates work	Claude Cowork, Claude Code

Key insight: Level 2 reasoners (including Claude Chat in the browser) may become obsolete as agents absorb their capabilities. The future is agents that think AND act.

How does Claude Cowork compare to other AI tools?

	Claude Chat	Claude Code	Claude Cowork	OpenClaw
Level	Level 2 (reasoner)	Level 3 (agent)	Level 3 (agent)	Level 3 (agent)
Power	Limited (cloud-only)	Very high (full system)	High (files + connectors)	Highest (unrestricted)
Security	High (sandboxed)	Medium (terminal-based)	High (guardrails + permissions)	Low (can go rogue)
Ease of use	Very easy	Technical (CLI only)	Easy (desktop UI)	Moderate
Best for	Quick questions, writing	Developers, coding	Business users, marketers	Power users comfortable with risk

Claude Cowork is the sweet spot — enterprise-level agent capabilities with proper guardrails and a user-friendly interface designed for non-technical business users.

How do I install the GrowthOS plugin?

Download the desktop app — go to claude.ai/download and install Claude for Mac or PC. You must use the desktop app — the browser version does not support Cowork.
Download the GrowthOS plugin — find the .zip file in the shared Google Drive folder. Do not unzip it. Leave the file as-is.
Upload the plugin to Claude — open the desktop app, click the puzzle piece icon (Plugins), click the + button, select Upload Plugin, and drag the .zip file in.
Create an empty folder — make a new folder on your Desktop or Documents. Name it after your business or "GrowthOS." This is where Claude will build your workspace.
Root into the folder — start a new task in Claude Cowork, click Choose Folder, select the empty folder you created, and allow all permissions when prompted.

Important: Do not unzip the plugin file. Claude needs the .zip format. If you accidentally unzipped it, re-download or re-compress it before uploading.

What happens when I run the Quick Start?

After rooting into your empty folder, type "run the quick start" and Claude guides you through the entire setup:

Business info — Claude asks for your business name and website URL
Website crawl — Claude crawls your site to understand your offerings, audience, and positioning
Core files — Claude builds your initial Offers.md and Persona.md based on what it finds
Folder structure — Claude creates the Core, Routines, and Workflows folders with starter files
Morning routine — Claude sets up a daily routine triggered by "good morning" that checks your calendar, news, and tools
First workflow — Claude guides you through creating your first marketing workflow (e.g., LinkedIn content or newsletter)

No website? Use your LinkedIn profile URL or a competitor's website instead. Claude can work with any source to build your initial core files.

What are the three GrowthOS components?

Component	What it is	Examples
Core	Your business source-of-truth files that Claude references for every task	Offers.md, Persona.md, Brand Design, Brand Voice, Business Info, Content Rules
Routines	Automated multi-step sequences triggered by a phrase or schedule	Morning routine, research routine, weekly review, content audit
Workflows	Project-based work folders where Claude manages ongoing marketing tasks	LinkedIn content, newsletter production, email campaigns, webinar follow-up

Core files are the foundation — they ensure Claude produces on-brand, consistent output across every routine and workflow you build.

What goes in my core files?

Offers.md — your products, services, and pricing (Claude builds this from your website)
Persona.md — your ideal customer profile, pain points, language, and motivations
Brand Design — colors, fonts, logo usage, and visual guidelines
Brand Voice — tone, style, vocabulary, and writing rules
Business Info — company name, URL, social profiles, team info
Content Rules — formatting preferences, publishing guidelines, and channel-specific rules

Pro tip: Don't manually edit these files. Tell Claude what to change and let it update them. This keeps CLAUDE.md and all references in sync.

What are the key Claude Cowork philosophies?

Claude Cowork Philosophy 1: Let Claude Cook

Describe the outcome you want, not the step-by-step process. Give Claude access to folders and tools, then let it determine how to get there. The AI figures out implementation, creates files, and builds automations on its own.

Claude Cowork Philosophy 2: Move Slow and Fix Things

Run a task, review the output, explain what's wrong, and let Claude fix itself. Expect 4-5 iterations to get output exactly right. Once it's dialed in, you never do that task manually again. Pick one workflow and nail it before moving on.

Remember: Don't manually edit Claude's files. Tell Claude what to change and it updates everything — including CLAUDE.md and all linked references.

What connectors and file access options are available?

Claude Cowork has two-way integrations — it can pull data AND push changes back. These are the connectors discussed in the training:

Google Drive — read/write files (use Google Drive for Desktop to make cloud files local)
Gmail — read/compose emails
Google Calendar — view/create events
Notion — read/write pages and databases
Slack — read messages, post updates
Zoom — access meeting data and recordings
Beehiiv — newsletter subscriber and post management
Canva — design asset creation
Zapier — trigger automations and connect 6,000+ apps

File access tip: Claude can access any local file — including external USB drives and Google Drive for Desktop folders. If you install the Google Drive for Desktop app, your cloud files become local and Claude can work with them directly.

How do I set up Claude Cowork for multiple businesses?

Create a separate folder for each business on your computer
Root into the appropriate folder when switching between businesses
The same GrowthOS plugin works across all your businesses — you only install it once
Each folder gets its own CLAUDE.md, core files, routines, and workflows
Claude keeps each business context completely separate

Portable setup: Store your business folders on an external USB drive or Google Drive and you can switch between computers — just plug in (or sync) and root into the folder.

What are the top tips for getting the most out of Claude Cowork?

Security first: Only download the desktop app from claude.ai/download. Only install plugins from trusted sources. Verify the domain before entering credentials.
Pricing: Start at $20/month to test. Upgrade to $100/month for heavy daily use. Think of it as paying an employee, not buying software.
Progress tracking: Claude maintains a progress file so you can pause and resume the Quick Start anytime. Just say "continue setup" to pick up where you left off.
Long tasks are normal: Agent tasks can run 10-30+ minutes. Start new tasks in parallel while Claude works. It will notify you when done.
Start with one workflow: Don't try to automate everything at once. Pick one marketing workflow (e.g., LinkedIn posts), dial it in completely, then add the next one.
This is a tipping point: Just like early Google (2003), Facebook advertising, and Amazon marketplace — the people who invest in learning agent technology now will have a significant competitive advantage.

FAQ

What is the GrowthOS plugin for Claude Cowork?

GrowthOS is an installable plugin (.zip file) that adds marketing-specific skills, folder structures, and guided setup to Claude Cowork. It runs a Quick Start wizard that builds your business workspace, core files, routines, and workflows automatically.

Do I need to use the desktop app or can I use the browser?

You must use the Claude desktop app downloaded from claude.ai/download. The browser version of Claude does not support Cowork mode, plugins, or file access. Desktop is required for Mac and PC.

What happens during the Quick Start setup?

Claude asks for your business name and website, crawls your site to understand your offerings, then builds core files (offers, persona), creates your folder structure, sets up a morning routine, and guides you through your first marketing workflow.

What if I don't have a website yet?

You can provide your LinkedIn profile URL or a competitor's website instead. Claude uses whatever source is available to build your initial core files. You can also describe your business verbally and Claude will create the files from that.

How is Claude Cowork different from Claude Chat in the browser?

Claude Chat is a Level 2 reasoner — it answers questions but cannot take action on your files or tools. Claude Cowork is a Level 3 agent that creates files, manages folders, connects to apps, and automates multi-step marketing workflows on your behalf.

Can I use Claude Cowork for multiple businesses?

Yes. Create a separate folder for each business and root into the appropriate one when switching contexts. The same GrowthOS plugin works across all businesses — each folder maintains its own independent core files, routines, and workflows.

Is it normal for Claude to work on a task for 20 or 30 minutes?

Yes, that is completely normal for agent-level AI. Complex tasks like morning routines that check multiple tools, or building new workflows, can take 10-30 minutes. You can start new tasks in parallel while Claude works.

How much does Claude Cowork cost?

Plans start at $20/month, which is good for testing and light use. The $100/month tier provides significantly higher usage limits for consistent daily work. Think of it as paying an employee rather than buying software.

Can Claude access files on external drives or cloud storage?

Claude can access any locally mounted file — including USB external drives plugged into your computer and Google Drive folders synced via Google Drive for Desktop. It cannot access cloud-only storage that is not synced locally.

Should I go through the GrowthOS training before starting Claude Cowork?

It helps but is not required. The GrowthOS training covers AI fundamentals that make Claude Cowork easier to understand. However, you can jump straight into the Quick Start and go back for foundational concepts later if needed.