7 Claude Features That Replace Your ChatGPT Workflow

One setup, way deeper

March 25, 2026

I stumbled on a LinkedIn post that stopped me mid-scroll. This AI professional laid out a complete roadmap for switching from ChatGPT to Claude, and honestly, the clarity of it blew me away. If you’ve been curious about making the jump but felt overwhelmed by all the new features, this contributor mapped out every single step.

Here’s why this matters: Claude isn’t just “another chatbot.” It’s a full working environment now. The original poster breaks it down into seven distinct features, each with a specific purpose. Most people only scratch the surface with basic chat. That’s like buying a Swiss Army knife and only using the toothpick.

Let me walk you through the entire setup, step by step, exactly as this savvy professional recommends.

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Step 1: Get Started the Right Way

The expert’s first recommendation is simple but important: download the Claude desktop app and grab the $20/month Pro plan. Why the desktop app specifically? Because that’s where the real power lives, especially the Cowork feature. The browser version works fine for quick chats, but if you want the full experience, desktop is the move.

Step 2: Understand What Each Feature Actually Does

This is where the post really shines. The creator breaks Claude into seven features and explains not just what they do, but which ones actually matter for your workflow. Here’s the full breakdown:

1. Chat: Your familiar starting point

  • Works just like ChatGPT, so there’s zero learning curve

  • Make sure to select Opus 4.6 as your model for the best results

  • Always turn on “extended thinking” for deeper, more accurate responses

  • The original poster admits they barely use basic chat anymore, because Cowork replaced it entirely

2. Projects: Organized conversations with context

  • Think of it as Chat, but separated by topic or client

  • Create one Project per client or one per subject area

  • Drop your reference files inside so Claude stays focused on the right context

  • The author notes that Cowork has since replaced Projects for them, since it does everything Projects does and more

3. Code: A developer’s best friend

  • Developers can code with Claude directly inside the environment

  • It writes, debugs, and ships code without constant copy-pasting between tools

  • If you’re not a developer, skip this one. Cowork essentially gives non-coders similar superpowers

4. Cowork: The feature that changes everything

This is where the post gets really interesting. The mind behind it calls Cowork “the only one that matters right now,” and after reading the full breakdown, I can see why. Here’s how to set it up:

  • Create a main folder on your PC called “Cowork”

  • Inside it, create four subfolders: “About me”, “Templates”, “Projects”, and an “Output.md” file

  • The “About me” folder tells Claude who you are, your role, your preferences

  • “Templates” stores your repeatable formats (emails, reports, content structures)

  • “Projects” keeps active work organized

  • “Output.md” becomes your central delivery file

What makes this powerful is that Claude reads everything in your Cowork folder automatically. It’s like giving an assistant a briefing book before every conversation. No more repeating yourself. No more re-explaining your brand voice or project details.

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5. Skills: Teach Claude once, never repeat yourself

  • Build a Skill for every task you repeat on a weekly basis

  • It works like a Project but with permanent instructions that persist across sessions

  • One well-crafted Skill can replace an entire SOP document

Think about it: if you write a weekly client report, create a Skill for it. If you draft social media posts every Monday, make a Skill. The expert’s point here is that Claude should learn your processes once so you never have to explain them again.

6. Connectors: Claude inside your existing tools

  • Go to Settings, then Connectors, then Browse, and click “Add”

  • Over 50 tools available: Slack, Google Drive, Notion, Figma, and many more

  • Claude can read, write, and take actions inside these connected tools

  • All connectors are free to use

This is a huge deal. Instead of copying data out of Notion, pasting it into Claude, and then moving the result back, Claude just works directly inside your tools. The LinkedIn user highlights this as one of the most underrated features.

7. Plugins: Pre-built workflows for your specific role

  • Go to Customize, then Browse Plugins, and install what fits your workflow

  • Type / to trigger commands like “/marketing” or “/writing”

  • Customize each plugin to match your company’s needs

  • Also completely free

Step 3: Build Your System in the Right Order

Based on this innovator’s advice, here’s the sequence I’d recommend for getting maximum value from Claude as fast as possible:

  1. Set up the desktop app and Pro plan

  2. Create your Cowork folder structure with the four subfolders

  3. Fill in your “About me” folder with your role, goals, and preferences

  4. Add your most-used templates

  5. Connect your top 3 tools via Connectors

  6. Build your first Skill for your most repetitive weekly task

  7. Browse Plugins and install ones relevant to your role

The key insight from this post: Claude isn’t just a chatbot you talk to. It’s a workspace you build around yourself. The more context you give it through Cowork folders, Skills, and Connectors, the less time you spend prompting and the more time you spend on actual work.

I think the most valuable takeaway here is the Cowork folder structure. It’s such a simple concept, but it transforms Claude from a generic assistant into something that actually knows your business. Most people skip this setup and then wonder why AI feels underwhelming.

For the full details and the original creator’s complete walkthrough, check out the original LinkedIn post.

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