When people start with Claude, the first thing that trips them up is usually "where do I even begin?" You can use it in a browser, as a desktop app, or on your phone — and that very abundance of choice can leave you frozen on step one.
I build apps on my own and run several blogs single-handedly. Over time, a rhythm settled in: I draft in the desktop app in the morning, toss quick thoughts at Claude from my phone while commuting, and pick the thread back up from a borrowed PC through the browser. With one account, the conversation history follows you no matter which door you walk through. That sense of never losing your place is the real foundation for using Claude well.
This article covers the setup steps for all three entry points, then goes a step further into how to use each one so your work actually feels good to do.
One account, three doors
Start by creating an account at claude.ai. This single account is shared across browser, desktop, and mobile.
You can sign up with an email address, a Google account, or an Apple ID. With email, click the link in the confirmation message to verify. Signing in with Google or Apple removes one password to manage, which makes logging in across devices easier later. Because I move between devices constantly, I keep mine unified through ID linking.
You'll begin on the Free plan. Free still lets you use Claude Sonnet 4.6 for everyday conversation and reading files, so there's no rush to consider a paid plan — wait until you actually feel a limit.
Browser — the fastest way to just try it
The browser is the quickest start. Open claude.ai, log in, and you're going — no install, no setup. Chrome, Safari, Firefox, and Edge are all supported.
Nearly every feature works in the browser too: Artifacts for generating and previewing code, documents, and diagrams on the spot; Projects for keeping your frequently used materials and instructions together; plus file uploads and image reading.
To switch the interface to your language, open Settings from the icon in the upper right and change the display language; you can also set the theme (light/dark) here. When you're at the "just get a feel for it" stage, the browser is the entry point with the least friction.
Desktop app — if it's going to be your main workspace
If you plan to settle in and use Claude seriously, I recommend the desktop app. You stop hunting for browser tabs, and Claude is always one keystroke away.
Get it from claude.ai/download. On macOS, open the .dmg and drag it into your Applications folder; on Windows, run the installer and follow the prompts. Log in on first launch and you're set.
What I appreciate most about the desktop app is the global keyboard shortcut (a quick-input shortcut on macOS, Alt+Space on Windows). Whatever app you're working in, you can call up Claude without breaking stride. Set it under Settings → Keyboard Shortcuts.
The desktop app also has Cowork mode, where you hand Claude files and folders directly to work on. In my case, handing it a working folder to run recurring tasks has become the center of how I operate. The more you lean on it, the more the desktop version becomes your main workspace.
Mobile — strong for the move and for what's in front of you
Search for "Claude" in the App Store (iPhone/iPad) or Google Play (Android) to install. Since there are similarly named apps, confirm the official Anthropic icon — the orange gradient — before downloading.
The strength of mobile is that it works when a keyboard doesn't. Voice input is supported, so you can tap the mic and just speak your question. Catching an idea mid-walk and tossing it over before I forget is my single most common use.
The other strength is the camera. Send a photo or an image from your device and have Claude read it — turning a handwritten note into text, sorting a receipt, translating a foreign-language sign. For anything physically in front of you, mobile shines.
How to use the three together
Once you settle in, roles sort themselves out. Here's my rough guide.
| Entry point | Best for | How to use it |
|---|---|---|
| Browser | A borrowed PC; your first step | Try it instantly, no install |
| Desktop app | Longer, focused work | Shortcuts, file work, Cowork |
| Mobile app | On the move; the thing in front of you | Voice input, camera, quick notes |
The key point is that you don't have to pick just one. Because the conversation carries across with one account, you can naturally continue on your phone a discussion you started on the desktop.
Choosing a plan
Claude has several plans, free and paid. Here are the main ones as of June 2026.
| Plan | Rough price | Who it's for |
|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | Anyone trying it out. Includes Sonnet 4.6 |
| Pro | $20/month ($17/month billed annually) | Everyday work use |
| Max | From $100/month | Heavy users with high volume |
Free is your first door. Sonnet 4.6 handles plenty of conversation, so it's the natural place to begin.
Pro unlocks higher-tier models like Opus 4.8 and Extended Thinking, and raises your usage limits substantially. It now also includes Claude Code and Cowork, so for anyone who wants to step into development and file work, it tends to do more than its monthly price suggests.
Max lets you choose 5x or 20x the usage of Pro — the most generous tier. It's worth considering only once you're using Claude for long, continuous stretches. Plans and prices can change, so check the latest figures on the pricing page at claude.ai.
Three things to try right away
Once you're set up, here are three things that quickly make the value click.
First, talk to it in plain language. Claude is strong in everyday phrasing and reads both formal and casual tones naturally. Don't labor over a perfectly worded question — say it the way it comes to mind.
Second, hand it a file. Drag in a PDF or image and ask "give me the key points" or "read this table," and it'll answer based on the contents. The slower a document is to read yourself, the clearer the payoff.
Third, make one Project. Gathering your frequently used materials and instructions in one place spares you from re-explaining every time. I keep my writing style notes in a "blog writing" Project, and that alone cut down the preamble I used to repeat.
Your first step
Rather than lining up every tool, just put one on the device you already use most, and bring up one thing on your mind today. Browser or phone — it doesn't matter.
Once a conversation is underway, picking it back up from another device feels surprisingly natural. You can add the remaining entry points whenever you feel the need. That very first try is the biggest step.