After setting up Claude Cowork, weekly reports, proposals, and emails are all automated!
Yesterday I came across a post that left me dumbfounded. While others are still using Claude to 'help me write a 3000-word article,' some have already turned AI into a full-time colleague: every Monday morning at 7 o'clock, a report complete with data, charts, and personal style automatically resides in the folder; when drafting a proposal, AI first asks you 10 precise questions, then generates an editable Word document by itself; it can even send you competitive analysis at scheduled times...
What’s even more outrageous: the entire setup process takes only 1 hour, and all the templates are free! This god-level feature is called Claude Cowork, from the official desktop version by Anthropic (available for both Mac and Windows). Following the steps, I was able to receive the first automatically generated document this morning. Efficiency has taken off directly!
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Why does ordinary Claude feel like a tool, while Cowork feels like a real colleague?
The core is three words: Context = Folder.
In normal conversations, you always have to repeat 'Who am I?', 'What style do I like?', 'Don't use these lousy words'.
Cowork writes all of these into files, places them in the local folder, and AI reads your 'profile' before each task, then gets to work. Memory is scoped (each project is independent) and won't overlap; it can read and write real files, no longer trapped in copy-paste hell.
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1 hour to get the whole process started (I've already translated it into Chinese + screenshot-level steps):
1. 0-10 minutes: Create a folder (most important! Don't skip this)
Create a folder called CLAUDE COWORK on your computer. Inside, create 4 sub-folders:
• ABOUT ME (Put your profile here)
• TEMPLATES
• PROJECTS (one sub-folder for each project)
• CLAUDE OUTPUTS (All AI-generated documents are stored here) Directly go to Ruben's email subscription (link at the end), download his complete folder + files for free, and import them with one click.
2. 10-25 minutes: Write two lifesaving .md files
• about-me.md: Write who you are, how you work, core values, and common expressions.
• anti-ai-style.md: List your most disliked AI-sounding words (like 'in today's fast-paced society', 'empower', 'paradigm', etc.).
These two files directly replace your previous 500-word system prompt, and AI will speak just like you from now on.
3. 25-35 minutes: Set global instructions (write once, effective permanently)
Open the desktop version of Claude → Cowork tab → Settings → Edit Global Instructions.
Paste rules: Let AI read your two .md files before each task, adhere to naming conventions, and must use AskUserQuestion to actively ask you questions.
4. 35-45 minutes: Create the first Project Cowork → Projects → New.
Choose a task you have to do every week (like 'weekly report'), enable scoped memory. AI will remember what was done on this project last week.
5. 45-55 minutes: Run the first real task The prompt is just one sentence:
'I want to do [your task]. First, ask me questions.' Claude will automatically pop up an interactive form, asking you for the most critical information, then generate a .docx file and place it in your OUTPUTS folder.
6. 55-60 minutes: Set up a scheduled task (ultimate move)
'Every Monday at 7am, create my weekly briefing.'
Done! When I open my eyes on Monday morning, the document is already there.
Extra tools:
• The infographic also includes 11 official plugins (sales, marketing, legal, finance...)
• Always add 'Use AskUserQuestion' in the prompt — AI will actively ask you instead of guessing.
After setting it up, my first feeling was that AI finally wasn't dumb. I used to spend 1 hour writing prompts, now I only take 5 minutes to express my needs, and it finishes the rest by itself. It truly achieved 'human-machine division of labor' — I am only responsible for decision-making, and it handles execution + memory + output.
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Want to try it right away?
1. Download the desktop version of Claude (available on App Store / official website)
2. Go Pro ($20/month, totally worth it)
3. Subscribe to Ruben's free email at: t.co/psB7XxAv8w
4. Open the welcome email → Click on auto-reply → Download the complete set of templates + infographics + prompts
1 hour later, you will thank yourself.
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Finally, I want to say:
In 2026, AI is no longer just about helping you write copy; it's more complex than that. Whoever first turns AI into their digital employee will win the efficiency battle.