Build production agents with computer use, the Skills API, and the Files API
02:00 · August 20, 2026 · Claude Blog
Summary
Anthropic has announced general availability of three capabilities on the Claude Platform: computer use with a new browser tool, the Skills API, and the Files API. Together these features allow developers to construct agents that interact directly with existing software interfaces, incorporate domain-specific procedures, and manage persistent documents without requiring custom hosting or repeated data transfers.
Computer use enables an agent to control applications by processing screenshots and issuing mouse and keyboard actions in the same manner as a human operator. This approach works with interfaces that lack dedicated APIs. The accompanying browser tool augments the screenshot input with page structure data, allowing the agent to target specific elements such as form fields or buttons rather than relying solely on screen coordinates.
The Skills API supports uploading and versioning collections of instructions, scripts, and templates that the model loads only when relevant to the current task. These skills execute inside Claude’s existing code execution environment, eliminating the need for separate infrastructure. The Files API provides persistent storage so that documents such as PDFs or spreadsheets can be referenced by identifier across multiple requests, and any files generated by the agent can be retrieved later.
An example claims-processing workflow demonstrates the combined use of these tools. The agent retrieves an intake document via the Files API, applies a custom skill that encodes internal filing procedures, completes the required steps inside an insurer’s web portal using the browser tool, and stores the resulting confirmation as a new file. Previously released capabilities such as code execution and web search integrate into the same workflow loop.
Why it matters
Directly targets Product Teams and Builders with actionable details on new Claude agent capabilities, specific APIs, and workflow examples. High actionability for implementing agents in production settings.
