Compatibility record
Does Claude support Background agents?
Selected plans
Claude runs background Dispatch agents on Pro and Max via Claude Cowork on Desktop, carrying out tasks after you leave when the desktop host stays online.
Last verified2026-08-25
Confidencehigh
Primary sources2
What this state means
Selected plans, with the qualification kept attached.
Dispatch is beta/research preview for Pro and Max. Requires latest Claude Desktop with the computer awake and app open. Team/Enterprise not named on Dispatch prerequisite pages checked.
Capability definition
Runs delegated work asynchronously while the user leaves the active session.
Scope boundary
A long synchronous response or an agent loop that requires an open session is not a background agent.
Researcher note
Path A: claude.com/docs Dispatch guide + support Assign tasks from anywhere.
Evidence
Primary records behind the answer.
- 01
Run tasks in the background with Dispatch
“Dispatch is a long-running agent in Cowork that takes high-level instructions and carries them out in the background.”
- 02
Assign tasks from anywhere in Claude Cowork
“This capability is available in beta for Pro and Max plans on Claude Cowork. It requires both the Claude Desktop app and the Claude mobile app.”