Anthropic introduces Duet AI agent

Anthropic has launched a research preview of its new AI agent, Duet, available as an app for iOS and Android, and also through claude.ai. The agent connects to the user's Claude account, accessing memory and related applications, and runs on a virtual machine with its own browser, allowing it to operate without keeping the user's device active.

Access limited to specific users

Currently, only Pro and Max subscribers based in the United States can join the waiting list for Duet. Anthropic is positioning Duet as a tool for independent workers and small business owners, with each background check the agent performs consuming part of the user's plan.

Real-world testing by a business owner

Amin Ebrahimi, who runs a restaurant in southern Florida with about 110 employees, tested Duet for accounting and customer service tasks. He also used the agent to review his bills, stating it helped him avoid opening many tabs on his browser.

Features and integration options

Duet uses over 6,000 connectors and plugins from the Claude store, enabling it to handle tasks like reminding customers of late payments or preparing pay stubs. Before performing any action like sending a message or making a payment, the agent shows the user what it plans to do and waits for approval.

Security and financial restrictions

Anthropic has restricted Duet from buying or selling financial securities or transferring money between accounts, even with user approval. For company purchases, Duet uses a virtual card from Stripe's Link wallet, ensuring the user's real credit card number is never shared.

Usage and quota management

Duet reviews connected accounts every few hours to prevent users from quickly depleting their plan through constant monitoring. Each session uses the user's Claude plan quota, and complex tasks like analyzing a financial model may use multiple calls to Claude Opus 5.5, consuming the quota faster.

Comparison with other AI agents

OpenAI includes its first dot in the Pro and Business Premium subscriptions of ChatGPT, allowing users to interact with it without using their message quota. Anthropic, however, launched Duet with the Pro offer of Claude, priced at $20 per month in the U.S., without a separate plan for the agent.

Limitations and future updates

Anthropic warns that Duet might misread conversations or make errors about urgency, as reported by The Verge. It also acknowledges limitations in handling personal tasks like booking tickets. The agent currently cannot show its browser to the user, and users in France must wait as the waiting list is limited to U.S. subscribers. Anthropic plans to release more information on Duet's security soon.