How to Use Claude Web (claude.ai)

Claude Web is Anthropic's browser-based AI chat service. Just visit claude.ai to start a conversation with Claude — no software installation required. It works on any computer or smartphone with a modern browser.

This guide covers everything from account setup to making the most of Claude Web's key features.

What Is Claude Web?

Claude Web lets you chat with Claude directly in your browser. You can ask it to write documents, answer questions, analyze data, generate code, and much more — all in natural language.

The free plan (Free) covers all the basics, so feel free to jump in and try it.

Account Creation and Login

1. Go to claude.ai in your browser
2. Click "Sign up" to create a new account
3. Register with your email address, or use Google / Apple sign-in
4. If using email, click the verification link sent to your inbox
5. Once logged in, the chat screen appears immediately

Troubleshooting: If you can't log in, try clearing your browser's cookies and cache. If you're using a VPN, try temporarily disabling it.

Pricing Plans

Claude Web offers several plans:

Free plan limits: Approximately 15-40 messages per 5-hour window (varies by conversation length and attachments). Limits reset automatically. During peak hours, responses may slow down or access may be temporarily restricted.

Basic Chat

Sending Messages

Chatting with Claude is simple:

1. Type your message in the input field at the bottom of the screen
2. Press Enter (or the send button) to send
3. Claude generates a response within seconds

Just talk naturally. For example:

• "Draft an agenda for next week's team meeting"
• "Rewrite this paragraph to be clearer"
• "Analyze the trends in this sales data"
• "Translate this email into Spanish"

Tip: If Claude's response isn't what you expected, try being more specific. Instead of "make it simpler," try "explain it so a high school student could understand." Instead of "make it shorter," try "summarize in under 100 words."

Attaching Images and Files

Claude can read and analyze images and files, not just text.

• Images: Drag and drop screenshots or photos, or use the clip icon. Ask things like "What's in this image?" or "What can you tell from this chart?"
• Documents: Attach PDFs, Word files, text files, etc. for summarization or analysis
• Data files: Attach CSV or Excel files for data analysis and visualization

Managing Conversations

Claude Web automatically saves your conversations. Access past conversations anytime from the left sidebar.

• Rename: Hover over a conversation name in the sidebar, click the menu (...) → "Rename"
• Delete: Same menu → "Delete"
• New conversation: Click "New chat" at the top left

Artifacts — Create Things While You Chat

Artifacts display content Claude generates in a separate panel to the right of the chat. You can create and edit documents, code, charts, and even interactive applications while continuing the conversation.

Artifact Examples

1. Document Creation

Ask "Draft a project proposal" and a formatted document appears in the right panel. Keep chatting to refine: "Make the tone more casual" or "Expand section 3." Download as Word or PDF when done.

2. Code Generation and Execution

Even without programming knowledge, ask "Build a BMI calculator tool" and Claude creates working code. HTML/CSS/JavaScript web apps run with a live preview right in the Artifact panel.

3. Data Visualization

Attach a CSV file and ask "Turn this data into a bar chart." Claude generates an interactive chart as an Artifact. Adjust colors and layout through conversation.

4. Presentations

Ask "Create a presentation about [topic]" and Claude builds slide-format content as an Artifact. Refine each slide through conversation.

Tip: If Artifacts don't appear, check that the feature is enabled in Settings → Capabilities → Artifacts. Also, short responses (a few lines) won't generate Artifacts — they appear directly in chat.

Projects — Organize Your Work

Projects group related conversations, files, and settings into a single workspace. Set custom instructions and knowledge (reference materials) per project, so you never have to repeat the same context.

How to Use Projects

1. Click "New Project" in the sidebar's Projects section
2. Enter a project name and description
3. Optionally configure:
   • Custom instructions: Shared instructions for all conversations in this project (e.g., "Always respond in bullet points," "Avoid technical jargon")
   • Knowledge: Upload reference files (PDF, Word, text, etc. — up to 30MB per file)

When Projects Shine

• Content creation: Upload your style guide and past articles. Get consistent-toned new content
• Operations manuals: Upload company documents and ask Claude to create or update procedures
• Research: Upload papers or reports, then ask questions or request summaries
• HR: Upload interview criteria and job descriptions for efficient interview prep
• Legal: Upload contract templates for review assistance

Free plan limit: Up to 5 projects. Paid plans offer unlimited projects with enhanced knowledge search (RAG).

Deep Research — Delegate Complex Research

Deep Research automatically searches multiple web sources and generates comprehensive, cited reports. Unlike quick web searches, it takes 5-30 minutes to investigate thoroughly.

How to Use Deep Research

1. Click the "Research" button near the chat input (it turns blue when active)
2. Enter your research topic
3. Claude presents a research plan and may ask clarifying questions
4. Research begins — Claude searches and analyzes multiple sources simultaneously
5. A detailed, cited report is generated in 5-30 minutes

Best For

• Market research: "Summarize the 2026 SaaS market trends"
• Competitive analysis: "Compare the top project management tools by features and pricing"
• Industry trends: "Create a 2026 industry trends report"
• Policy research: "Compare remote work policies across major companies"

Note: Deep Research has monthly usage limits. Use regular chat for simple questions, and save Deep Research for in-depth investigations.

Memory — Claude Remembers You

Memory lets Claude remember your preferences, name, role, and other information across conversations. Available on all plans, including Free (since March 2026).

What Memory Can Remember

• Name and role: "I'm Sarah, a marketing manager at a tech startup"
• Preferences: "I prefer bullet-point responses" or "Keep answers under 200 words"
• Ongoing work: "I'm currently working on Q2 campaign strategy"

Managing Memory

• Tell Claude "Remember this: ..." to explicitly save information
• View, edit, or delete memories in Settings → Capabilities → Memory
• Use Incognito chat for conversations that shouldn't be saved to Memory (separate from browser incognito mode)

Tip: Memory updates every 24 hours. If Claude doesn't seem to remember something from today, it may not be reflected until tomorrow. Use "Remember this" for immediate recall.

Connectors — Integrate External Services

Connectors link external services to Claude Web. With 150+ connectors available, you can integrate tools across development, data analysis, design, finance, sales, and more. Available on all plans, including Free.

What You Can Do

• Microsoft 365: Reference Outlook emails, OneDrive documents, SharePoint files directly in conversations
• Development tools: Access GitHub, GitLab repositories and issues
• Business tools: Connect Slack, Notion, Google Drive, and other daily tools

Setting Up a Connector

1. Go to claude.ai/customize/connectors
2. Select the connector you want
3. Authenticate with the service
4. Once connected, Claude can reference that service's data in conversations

Tip: If connecting a corporate Microsoft 365 account, your IT admin may have restrictions on third-party app connections. Check with IT if you can't connect.

Switching Models — Choose the Right One

Claude Web lets you switch between AI models for each conversation. Models differ in speed and capability.

Model Comparison

Quick Guide

• Default to Sonnet: Handles 80% of tasks well. Best balance of speed and quality
• Use Haiku when speed matters: Quick responses for simple tasks
• Use Opus for deep work: Important documents, complex data analysis, nuanced reasoning

Free plan: Sonnet and Haiku are available. Opus requires Pro or higher.

Click the model name at the top of the chat screen to switch. You can change models mid-conversation.

Next Steps

Now that you know Claude Web basics, level up:

• What Is Claude? — Get the big picture of all Claude products
• Pricing Plans Compared — Choose the right plan for you
• Claude Desktop Guide — Try the desktop app for deeper PC integration
• Prompt Fundamentals — Learn techniques for better AI communication