Set Up a Cowork Project and Choose a Folder

Questions

  • How do I set up a project in Claude Cowork?
  • How do I let Cowork work with a folder on my computer?
  • How do I connect a folder on a Mac? How about on Windows 11?
  • What is the difference between a project and just chatting with Claude?
  • Do I have to keep the Claude Desktop app open?
  • How do I stop Cowork from using a folder, or disconnect it?
  • Where do the files Claude creates end up?

Environment

This article is for Bowdoin community members who have access to Claude Cowork and want to set up a project and connect a folder on their computer.

  • Who: Students, faculty, and staff granted access to the Claude tools.
  • What: The Claude Desktop app for a current version of macOS or Windows 11, signed in to a Bowdoin account. Local folder access requires the desktop app.
  • Not in scope: Requesting access, which is covered in Getting access to Claude in the Related Articles section.

Resolution

Note: If you are unsure about safety first, see Is Cowork Safe? Security and Your Files Explained in the Related Articles section. In short, Cowork only touches the folder you connect, and it always asks before deleting anything.

Step 1 — Install and open the Claude Desktop app

  1. Download the Claude Desktop app for your computer from claude.com/download (macOS or Windows 11).
  2. Open the app and sign in with your Bowdoin account using single sign-on. For help signing in, see Sign in to Claude with Bowdoin SSO (Okta) in the Related Articles section.
  3. Confirm you are in the Bowdoin workspace, shown near your profile.
Keep the app open. A Cowork session runs remotely, but it can only reach files on your computer while the desktop app is open. If you close the desktop app, Claude cannot see your local folder until you reopen the app.

Step 2 — Start a Cowork session

  1. In the message box, select Cowork. Chat and Cowork share the same message box, so you are choosing the Cowork mode.
  2. Type a short description of what you want to do, or set up a project first as described in Step 3.

Step 3 — Create a project (recommended)

A project is a reusable workspace for related tasks. A project keeps its own files, instructions, and memory, so you do not have to re-explain your context every time. Think of a project as a labeled folder for one class, one committee, or one ongoing effort.

  1. In the left sidebar, select Projects, then New project.
  2. Give the project a clear name, for example Fall Advising or Grant Report.
  3. Optionally add project instructions, such as your role, preferred tone, or how you want output formatted.

Step 4 — Connect a folder on your computer

Connecting a folder tells Cowork which folder it may work in, and only that folder. In your Cowork task or project, use the + (add) menu in the message box to add a local folder, then pick the folder you want.

On a Mac

  1. Select the + button in the Cowork message box and choose to add a folder.
  2. In the Finder window, go to the folder you want, for example a folder called Claude Projects inside your Documents.
  3. Select the folder and select Open.
  4. If macOS asks whether to give Claude permission to access files in that location, choose OK or Allow.

On Windows 11

  1. Select the + button in the Cowork message box and choose to add a folder.
  2. In the File Explorer window, go to the folder you want, for example Documents\Claude Projects.
  3. Select the folder and select Select Folder.
Choose a narrow folder, and keep it in Documents. Connect a single dedicated working folder, such as Claude Projects in your Documents folder, rather than your whole Desktop, Documents, or OneDrive. Keeping it in Documents means it backs up to OneDrive automatically on most Bowdoin computers. For the recommended layout, see Organize Your Folders for Claude: Best Practices in the Related Articles section.

Step 5 — Give your task and review

  1. Describe the task in plain language, for example Organize the PDFs in this folder by date and make a summary spreadsheet.
  2. Choose how closely to supervise using the mode selector: Manual (asks before each step, best when starting out), Auto, or Skip.
  3. Review Claude's plan, then let it work. Files Claude creates are saved into your connected folder and can also be previewed and downloaded from the session.

Step 6 — Disconnect a folder when you are done

You are always in control of access. To stop Cowork from using a folder, remove it from the task or project's connected folders using the same menu where you added it. Closing the desktop app also cuts off local file access immediately.

Additional Help

If you need further assistance, you have several options:

  • Bowdoin Bot: Chat with Bowdoin Bot directly from any KB page for instant answers.
  • Phone: Call the Bowdoin College Service Desk at (207) 725-3030.
  • In person: Visit the Tech Hub in Smith Union during business hours.
  • Submit a ticket: Request assistance through the Service Catalog.

Additional Resources

 

 

AI-assisted content: This article was drafted with the assistance of an AI writing tool and reviewed by Bowdoin IT staff for accuracy.
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Related Articles (1)

Organize Your Folders for Claude: Best Practices
This article gives folder and file best practices for working with Claude Cowork and Claude Code on a Bowdoin-managed account. It recommends a single dedicated working folder kept in your Documents folder, which syncs to OneDrive through Known Folder Move for automatic cloud backup and cross-device access, plus a simple per-project layout, clear file names, and what not to place in a folder you connect to Claude.