Anthropic has expanded its “Claude for Chrome” extension beyond its $200-per-month Max tier, making it available to anyone on a paid Claude plan. The extension puts Claude in a Chrome side panel and, with user permission, can take “computer use” style actions in the browser—such as navigating sites and carrying out multi-step tasks on a user’s behalf. Reviewers describe it as a genuine convenience upgrade for web busywork, while also noting it requires broad access to your browsing activity and accounts to work well.

Highlights:

• Workflow teaching: Anthropic says the extension can record a workflow so users can “teach” Claude repeatable browser routines, aiming to make frequent online chores more automated over time.
• Coding tie-in: The newest release adds integration with Claude Code, Anthropic’s AI coding tool, linking browser-based actions with coding assistance in the same product ecosystem.
• Tab-level reach: PCMag reports Claude for Chrome can work across multiple tabs while completing tasks like form-filling and scheduled actions, which is central to how it performs more complex errands.
• Competitive context: Engadget notes OpenAI and Perplexity offer similar “agentic” browsing via ChatGPT Atlas and the Comet browser, framing Claude’s extension as part of a broader race to automate web interactions.
• Google’s stance: Engadget says Google currently lets Gemini answer questions about webpages in Chrome but has not yet enabled it to navigate the web on a user’s behalf, after earlier demos under Project Mariner.

The Claude Chrome plugin allows for easy access to Anthropic's AI regardless of where you are on the web, but its real draw is how it lets Claude navigate and use websites on your behalf. - Kris Holt

Perspectives:

• Anthropic: The company positions the extension as a productivity tool that can complete multi-step browser workflows—like filling out forms and managing calendar and email—based on a prompt, and it highlights new Claude Code integration and workflow recording. (Engadget)
• PCMag: PCMag emphasizes the practical “assistant” angle: a Chrome extension that can navigate websites for you, fill in forms, handle scheduled tasks, and work across multiple tabs. (PCMag)
• TechRadar reviewer: TechRadar describes a tradeoff: meaningful convenience for browser-based tasks paired with “digital paranoia” about how much access the tool needs to be effective. (TechRadar)

Sources:

• Claude's Chrome plugin is now available to all paid users - Engadget - google.com
• Claude's Chrome plugin is now available to all paid users - engadget.com
• Anthropic Rolls Out Its Chatbot Claude as a Chrome Extension - pcmag.com
• I tried the new Claude in Chrome extension, and it delivered convenience with a side of digital paranoia - techradar.com