How Does Claude Memory Sync Cowork and Chat?

TL;DR

Claude can use one shared memory across chat and cloud-based Cowork tasks, reducing the need to repeat preferences, project details, and prior context. Users can inspect, edit, delete, categorize, or import memories, while sensitive topics remain excluded by default unless enabled. The major limitation is that shared memory does not apply when Cowork runs locally.

Transcript

Enthropic just dropped a new Claude memory system that basically combines the memory of Claude Co-work and Claude chat into one. And if you've ever used Claude Co-work, one of the negatives about it is it had very bad memory. Well, this solves it. So, in this video, I'm going to break down exactly what's new, how to turn this on inside of your acco... Read More

Key Insights

• Claude's shared memory connects chat with Cowork, so information learned in one environment can become available in the other without requiring users to repeat the same background, preferences, project priorities, or status updates.
• Claude creates memories while conversations are happening, rather than waiting until the end of a conversation to produce a summary. This allows relevant details to be added automatically without requiring an explicit instruction to remember them.
• Users control stored memories through a dedicated settings interface that displays information by profile, preferences, people, and topics. Individual memory files can be reviewed, conversationally updated, manually changed, or deleted when they are inaccurate or unwanted.
• Sensitive topics such as health and beliefs are excluded from memory by default. Users who want Claude to retain those subjects can enable the option in memory settings, giving them direct control over whether that personal context is stored.
• Shared memory is enabled by default for Free, Pro, and Max plans across Claude's web, desktop, and mobile experiences. Account prompts allow users to save their preferences and decide whether sensitive subjects should be included.
• Claude can import memory from other AI providers through the memory settings interface. The demonstration specifically identifies ChatGPT and Gemini as possible sources, allowing previously accumulated context to be brought into Claude's organized memory files.
• Cloud-based Cowork tasks can access chat memories and send new context back to chat. These tasks can continue running after the desktop app or computer is closed, while still allowing users to select folders located on their computer.
• Local Cowork tasks do not participate in the shared memory system. To synchronize memory between Cowork and chat, users must choose the cloud execution option rather than running the Cowork task directly on their computer.
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Questions & Answers

Q: How does Claude memory sync between Cowork and chat?

Claude uses the same memory for chat and cloud-based Cowork tasks. Information developed through months of chats, including preferences, project priorities, collaborators, and task status, can be available when a Cowork task begins. The connection also works in reverse, so relevant context created during Cowork activity can later appear in chat without requiring the user to explain it again.

Q: How do I turn on shared memory in Claude?

Open Claude on the web or in the desktop app and respond to the memory preferences prompt. Save the displayed preferences and decide whether Claude may include sensitive topics. To manage the resulting information later, open the account menu, select settings, scroll to the memory section beneath plugins, and open it to review the stored files and available controls.

Q: What information does Claude save in memory?

Claude stores useful context under categories such as profile, preferences, people, and specific topics. Examples shown include clothing fit, school community matters, finances, fitness, photography, podcasts, reading, tools, business partners, and project priorities. As the user interacts with chat and cloud-based Cowork, the collection of topic files can expand to reflect recurring information and working context.

Q: Can I edit or delete what Claude remembers?

Users can view every saved memory by opening the memory section in account settings and selecting a category or topic file. They can then provide updated details through a simple conversational interface, make changes to the stored information, or delete entries they do not want Claude to retain. The demonstration adds new shirt preferences to an existing clothing memory and shows the updated detail appearing immediately.

Q: Does Claude automatically remember sensitive information?

Claude does not save subjects considered sensitive, including health and beliefs, by default. A user who is comfortable retaining that context and does not want to explain it repeatedly can enable sensitive topics in the memory preferences. The setting is optional, so people with privacy concerns can leave it disabled while continuing to use the broader shared memory features.

Q: Which Claude plans and platforms support shared memory?

The shared memory system is described as enabled by default for Free, Pro, and Max plans. It is available across the web, desktop, and mobile experiences. Users may encounter a prompt explaining that Claude remembers Cowork tasks, displays saved memories as files, and offers more control over sensitive topics before they save their memory preferences.

Q: Why is Claude shared memory not working in local Cowork?

Shared memory only works when a Cowork task runs in the cloud. A task running locally on the user's computer does not receive the same synchronized memory from chat. To use remembered preferences or project context in Cowork, select the cloud execution option. Cloud tasks can keep running after the app or computer closes and can still access selected folders from the computer.

Q: Does Claude shared memory work with Claude Code?

The described release synchronizes memory only between Claude chat and Cowork. It does not provide shared memory between Cowork and Claude Code. The presenter speculates that broader support might arrive over the following weeks or months, but clearly labels that expectation as speculation. Users should therefore treat Claude Code integration as unavailable rather than as a confirmed feature or announced schedule.

Summary & Key Takeaways

• Claude now shares one memory system between chat and Cowork, allowing context created in either product to become available in the other. This helps users continue tasks without repeatedly explaining preferences, collaborators, priorities, or project status. The synchronization works in both directions when Cowork tasks run in the cloud.

• The memory interface organizes saved information into profile, preferences, people, and topic-based files. Users can inspect individual entries, update them through a conversational interface, or delete information they no longer want stored. Claude adds relevant topics during conversations instead of waiting until the end to summarize the entire exchange.

• Shared memory is available by default for Free, Pro, and Max users across web, desktop, and mobile. Sensitive subjects such as health or beliefs are not saved by default, but users may enable them. The central caveat is that locally running Cowork tasks cannot access the shared cloud memory system.