What Cowork Can and Can't See

Before you go further, it's worth understanding the boundaries. Knowing what Cowork can access (and what it can't) will save you confusion and help you feel confident using it with real work.

What it CAN see

Your project folder. Everything inside the folder you've pointed Cowork at. All files, all subfolders, everything. Point it at a different folder and it sees that one instead.

Files you drag in. Even if a file isn't in your project folder, you can drag it into the chat and Cowork will read it for that conversation.

Your conversation history. Cowork remembers everything you've said in the current conversation. It uses that context to give better answers as you go.

What it CAN'T see

Other folders on your computer. Cowork only sees the folder you've pointed it at. Your desktop, your downloads, your other projects... invisible.

Your email, browser, or other apps. By default, Cowork can't read your inbox, check your calendar, or browse websites. It works with local files only. (Later, you can add connectors that give it access to specific services. But that's your choice, and it happens one service at a time.)

Other people's sessions. Your conversations are private. Nobody else can see what you're working on.

Your screen or webcam. Cowork doesn't watch you work. It only knows what you type and the files you've shared.

The permission model

The first time Cowork wants to edit or create files in your folder, it'll ask for permission. Once you allow it, that covers all file changes in that folder for the current session.

But destructive actions are different. If Cowork wants to delete a file, it always asks separately, even if you've already allowed edits. You'll see exactly what it wants to delete and you can allow or deny it.

You can change which folder Cowork is working in at any time. And you can drag files in from anywhere. So you're always in control of what it has access to.

Practical takeaway

Cowork is scoped to one folder at a time, plus whatever you drag in. It can't wander into other folders, it can't reach the internet, and it asks before doing anything destructive like deleting files. That's enough access to be very useful, with enough limits to feel safe.

Try it in the game

Head to the game and play through the Level 1 demos. You'll see how Cowork works with different file types: a website file, an inbox export, and a CSV spreadsheet. Each one shows a different way of giving Cowork something to work with and getting a useful result back.