Wise Women Use AI · Tool guide

Which Claude is right for you?

Claude comes in a few different shapes now, and that can feel like one more thing to work out. It isn't. Here is a plain-English look at each one, so you can pick where to start and get on with your day.

The line-up

Five ways to use Claude

Start at the top. Each one down the list does a little more, and asks a little more of you.

Start here

Claude.ai

Your everyday assistant

What it's for

  • Writing, brainstorming, summarising and thinking things through
  • Works in your browser, on your desktop and on your phone
  • It now remembers your past conversations, so it gets more helpful the more you use it
  • A free plan to start, and a paid plan that lifts the limits and opens up everything below

Worth knowing

  • The free plan has usage limits you'll start to feel once you're using it every day
For visuals

Claude Design

Describe it, and Claude designs it

What it's for

  • One-pagers, slides, simple graphics, mock-ups and prototypes
  • Made for people who aren't designers, so you describe what you want in plain words
  • Lives at claude.ai/design and comes with the paid plans

Worth knowing

  • It's newer, launched in April 2026, so expect it to keep changing and improving
  • Works in your browser
Hands-on help

Cowork

Claude doing tasks on your computer

What it's for

  • Claude working through the desktop app, on Mac and Windows, actually doing jobs with your files and apps
  • Sorting folders, filling in documents, working through multi-step tasks
  • You approve what it does, so you stay in charge

Worth knowing

  • You'll want a tidy brief
  • Give it one job at a time when you're starting out
From your phone

Dispatch

Send a task, then get on with your life

What it's for

  • Send Claude a task from your phone and it works away on your computer while you're out and about
  • Pairs the mobile app with the desktop app, so the two talk to each other

Worth knowing

  • Your computer needs to be on with the desktop app open
  • It's the newest of the family
Advanced

Claude Code

For building automations and little tools

What it's for

  • Building automations and small tools for your business
  • More capable, and more technical with it

Worth knowing

  • Don't start here
  • Come back to it once Claude.ai feels easy

Side by side

The quick comparison

A tick means yes, a dash means sort of, and a cross means not really.

  Claude.ai Design Cowork Dispatch Code
Works in your browser ✓ ✓ ✕ ✕ ✕
Works on your phone ✓ – ✕ ✓ ✕
No tech skills needed ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✕
Remembers your context ✓ – – – ✕
Creates visuals – ✓ ✕ ✕ ✕
Does tasks on your computer ✕ ✕ ✓ ✓ ✓
Builds automations and tools ✕ ✕ – – ✓
Beginner friendly ✓ ✓ ✓ – ✕
✓ Yes – Sort of ✕ Not really

Where to begin

So, which one?

Most people only ever need the first one or two. There's no prize for using all five.

Begin here

Start with Claude.ai if…

You're new to AI, or you just want a hand with writing and thinking today. This is the one to open first.

Then add

Add Claude Design when…

You need something visual and you don't want to sit and fight with a design tool to get it.

When you're settled

Try Cowork and Dispatch when…

You're comfortable chatting with Claude and you'd like it to get some actual tasks done for you.

Down the track

Explore Claude Code when…

You're ready to build things that quietly run parts of your business in the background.