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Anthropic Unveils "Tasks Mode": Claude Evolves from Chatbot to Autonomous Agentic Worker

Article Highlights:
  • New 'Tasks Mode' UI with 5 modules: Research, Analyze, Write, Build, Do More.
  • Granular controls over sources (e.g., peer-reviewed) and effort levels.
  • Progress Tracker and Context Manager for real-time human supervision.
  • Evolution from Chatbot to Autonomous Agent for structured workflows.
  • Focus on complex cognitive tasks vs. simple browser automation.
Anthropic Unveils "Tasks Mode": Claude Evolves from Chatbot to Autonomous Agentic Worker

Introduction: The End of the "Chat Only" Era

Anthropic is making its most aggressive move toward operational automation with the testing of the new Agentic Tasks Mode. According to information emerging on December 16, 2025, the company is radically redesigning the Claude user experience, moving away from the linear chat paradigm to embrace a modular interface dedicated to delegating complex tasks.

This evolution is not just an aesthetic update; it represents the application layer necessary to fully leverage the Computer Use capabilities introduced in beta in late 2024. While competitors like OpenAI push their "Operator" (often limited to browser environments), Anthropic's new interface aims to solve the main bottleneck of autonomous agents: controllability. With dedicated sections like Research, Analyze, and Build, Claude positions itself no longer as a conversational assistant, but as a "thinking partner" capable of managing multi-step workflows with minimal human supervision.

Analysis and Details: The 5 Tasks Mode Modules

The new interface introduces a toggle to switch between "Classic Chat" and "Agent Mode." Once activated, the user accesses five vertical modules, designed to reduce hallucinations and increase operational precision thanks to specific context constraints.

1. Research: Beyond Simple Web Search

Unlike standard AI search engines (like Perplexity or SearchGPT), Claude's Research module offers granular controls. Users can define the effort level and filter sources, distinguishing between the general web and peer-reviewed publications. This suggests a strong positioning in the academic and R&D sectors, where source accuracy is critical.

2. Analyze: Autonomous Business Intelligence

The Analyze module is built for data validation, comparison, and forecasting. The novelty lies in the configurability of the output format and analysis depth. Instead of generically asking to "analyze this file," the user can set parameters for report audits or market research validation, reducing the risk of generic responses.

3. Build: Coding and Interactive Artifacts

This section appears to be the natural evolution of "Claude Artifacts" and the Claude Code CLI tool. Visually oriented, it allows users to select themes and layouts to generate code or interactive interfaces. It is a direct answer to assisted development tools, allowing Claude to act as a junior software engineer who not only writes code but verifies its execution and appearance.

4. Write & Do More

The Write module is structured for professional outputs (documents, slides, spreadsheets) with advanced citation management. The "Do More" section likely serves as a container for generalist actions or future integrations with third-party tools (e.g., MCP servers).

UX and Controllability: The Context Manager

A critical aspect emerging from the leaks is the presence of a right sidebar divided into a Progress Tracker and Context Manager. This solves one of the biggest problems with current agents: the "black box."

  • Progress Tracker: Displays in real-time which steps of the task Claude has completed and which are queued.
  • Context Manager: Lists the active resources (files, links, data) the agent is using.

This transparency is fundamental for enterprise adoption, allowing users to intervene (human-in-the-loop) if the agent deviates from the path or uses incorrect resources.

Market Impact and Competitors

The launch of this interface places Anthropic on a direct collision course with:

  • OpenAI Operator: While Operator focuses on rapid browser-based automation for repetitive tasks, Anthropic's solution seems to favor deep cognitive work and OS-level integration.
  • Google Gemini/Jarvis: Google has the advantage of the Workspace ecosystem, but Claude's agnostic approach and dedicated UI could attract power users seeking neutral orchestration.

The key differentiator remains the granularity of control: Anthropic bets that professionals don't want a magic "do everything" button, but a command dashboard to direct AI with precision.

Conclusion

The Agentic Tasks Mode marks Claude's transition from a passive oracle to an active worker. By introducing rigid structures for specific tasks, Anthropic is trying to mitigate the unpredictability of LLM models, making them reliable tools for critical business workflows. If the technical execution, particularly in error handling and context recovery, matches the interface promise, we could be looking at the new standard for human-machine interaction in 2026.

FAQ

When will Claude's Agentic Tasks Mode be available?

The feature is currently in testing and preparation. There is no official public release date, but leaks suggest an imminent rollout, likely for Pro and Team users first.

What is the difference between Classic Chat and Agent Mode?

Classic Chat is conversational and open-ended. Agent Mode is structured for specific tasks (Research, Analysis, Coding) and offers granular controls over sources, output formats, and depth levels, acting more autonomously.

Can the Build module write and run code?

Yes, the Build module is designed to generate code and interactive artifacts. It likely integrates with Claude's execution capabilities, allowing users to create and preview applications or layouts directly within the interface.

Does Claude Agent Mode have internet access?

Absolutely. Specifically, the Research module allows web scanning, with the unique option to filter specifically for academic or peer-reviewed sources.

How does it compare to OpenAI Operator?

OpenAI Operator is often described as an agent focused on browser automation. Anthropic's proposal seems more oriented towards complex cognitive workflows (data analysis, deep research) with a greater emphasis on human supervision via the Context Manager.

Introduction: The End of the "Chat Only" Era Anthropic is making its most aggressive move toward operational automation with the testing of the new Agentic Evol Magazine