I have been looking for someone to explain step by step how to actually do this setup without having to pay $27, $97, or more 🤪. Thank you so much for putting this out there, and for simplifying it so us newbies can actually follow it. 🌟
Wow. Thank you for breaking this down step by step. I especially love that you built all of this into a separate folder so I have more control. Bravo 👏🏼
i had saved this post ealier and i came back today to setup my cowork. Thanks for this post. Will start looking and identify uses cases to work with cowork/
I’m curious whether Cowork can function as a sales assistant that identifies potential distributors and retailers, and then drafts tailored cold outreach emails to them based on that research?
Yes, it would actually be perfect for this. The trick is going to be giving it all the proper connections, and then detailing out the SOP and output formats
Cowork is my personal finance consultant - helping me code and track my monthly expenses and manage my budget. I’m also in the process of setting up a publishing team to help with my Human Systems Brief publication.
Oh, I see. Um, sometimes. I suppose it depends on the task. Usually if I’m invoking a skill, I just free flow some context (via type or speech to text) to get it on the right track
I just posted this on my Linkedin page: I have been studying AI and recently purchased a Mac mini. I started exploring open claw projects but didn't finish, as the security aspects were daunting. After reading and following instructions on using Claude/Cowork safely, I spent 30 minutes setting it up and am now effectively using Agentic AI on my computer and files for real work. This experience has been transformative. Thank you to Michael Crist for the amazing insights! No more excuses guys! Time to jump in!
Hi Michael, nice job on this post so thank you. i really want to use claude in general and especially cowork after reading your post, but i recently got sick of paying for tokens every other day. I have the $20/month plans on claude, chatgpt, and gemini. I like claude the best but recently switched back to gemini eco sys due to the claude token costs issue. wont cowork just make the pay for token thing even worse? Am i doing something wrong that I'm paying for tokens all the time on claude or is that just the way it is?
I work in Sales/bizdev. I have a nice hierarchy of tasks going now. Stage 1 identifies target firms in sectors relevant to me. Stage 2 classifies these firms with a rating based on various factors relevant to my product/service. Stage 3 analyses the highest-rated firms and identifies relevant contacts. Stage 4 enriches these contacts with LinkedIn, email, etc. Ongoing work as I've maxxed out my tokens (again!)
I have been looking for someone to explain step by step how to actually do this setup without having to pay $27, $97, or more 🤪. Thank you so much for putting this out there, and for simplifying it so us newbies can actually follow it. 🌟
Absolutely and thanks for your comment 🙏
How do you plan on using Cowork?
Wow. Thank you for breaking this down step by step. I especially love that you built all of this into a separate folder so I have more control. Bravo 👏🏼
So glad you found it helpful!
What are you going to use Cowork for?
I might start by having it help me build new training materials and briefing me on my schedule each day.
Love it!
Let me know how you get on
i had saved this post ealier and i came back today to setup my cowork. Thanks for this post. Will start looking and identify uses cases to work with cowork/
Awesome! What are you planning to use it for?
Have set up my cowork for email triage to help me priorities.
This is SUCH a level up!
Great article, thank you!
I’m curious whether Cowork can function as a sales assistant that identifies potential distributors and retailers, and then drafts tailored cold outreach emails to them based on that research?
Yes, it would actually be perfect for this. The trick is going to be giving it all the proper connections, and then detailing out the SOP and output formats
Brilliant tutorial Michael, thank you for sharing!
So glad you found it helpful! 🙏
How are you using Cowork?
Cowork is my personal finance consultant - helping me code and track my monthly expenses and manage my budget. I’m also in the process of setting up a publishing team to help with my Human Systems Brief publication.
Wow, that’s awesome
How do plugins and skills work with this? Or could that prompt just be turned into a skill?
You can use plugins AND skills with Cowork :)
I’m going to cover that in my next article
I meant, do you do that same prompt AND use skill/plugin? I know there is quite the overlap, so just wondering.
Oh, I see. Um, sometimes. I suppose it depends on the task. Usually if I’m invoking a skill, I just free flow some context (via type or speech to text) to get it on the right track
Great write up! Appreciate the effort you put in it.
Thanks Jenny! Hope you found it helpful :)
This was a life saver for me Michael. What an incredible gift to your readers. Thank you.
So glad to hear you found it helpful :) 🙏
Such a great guide, thanks for sharing!
So glad you found it helpful!
How do you plan to use Cowork?
Terrific guide, so helpful!
Thanks so much, Beth! 🙏
How are you managing the token costs? I'll get knee deep and then be stuck with throttled usage.
I’m on Max plan. There are quite a few tips and tricks to keep token usage down. I can maybe do a future write up
Essentially though:
-Clear often
-Rewind often
-Narrow context when possible
-Control extended thinking
-Fit effort to task
I could go on and on. There are probably 10-15 different things I do to try to keep the burn rate down
I just posted this on my Linkedin page: I have been studying AI and recently purchased a Mac mini. I started exploring open claw projects but didn't finish, as the security aspects were daunting. After reading and following instructions on using Claude/Cowork safely, I spent 30 minutes setting it up and am now effectively using Agentic AI on my computer and files for real work. This experience has been transformative. Thank you to Michael Crist for the amazing insights! No more excuses guys! Time to jump in!
Thanks so much for sharing 🙏
I’m just happy to be even the smallest tiniest part of your success :)
This is extraordinarily helpful!
Thanks :)
How are you planning to use it?
I'm going to try to help Chambers of Commerce and Economic Development Organizations learn how to use it
That’s awesome! I would love to know how this goes for you
Wonderful job. Excellent !
Thanks so much!
How are you using Cowork?
Hi Michael, nice job on this post so thank you. i really want to use claude in general and especially cowork after reading your post, but i recently got sick of paying for tokens every other day. I have the $20/month plans on claude, chatgpt, and gemini. I like claude the best but recently switched back to gemini eco sys due to the claude token costs issue. wont cowork just make the pay for token thing even worse? Am i doing something wrong that I'm paying for tokens all the time on claude or is that just the way it is?
This is a great question.
There are a number of strategies you can use to conserve tokens:
-Use lower level models (Haiku for research, Sonnet as the workerbee, Opus as the brain)
-Start new chats often
-Compact long-running chats often
-Use the /rewind features
-When uploading docs try to always get to text versions, avoid screenshots and PDFs
-turn off extended thinking when not necessary
-Use projects to store context (you get it for free)
Give those a shot
Just a quick note to say thanks - best step-by-step guide I have seen!
Thanks so much 🙏
How are you planning to use it?
I work in Sales/bizdev. I have a nice hierarchy of tasks going now. Stage 1 identifies target firms in sectors relevant to me. Stage 2 classifies these firms with a rating based on various factors relevant to my product/service. Stage 3 analyses the highest-rated firms and identifies relevant contacts. Stage 4 enriches these contacts with LinkedIn, email, etc. Ongoing work as I've maxxed out my tokens (again!)
Sounds like you have a legit workflow here.
This is awesome!