Using Claude only for chat is a missed opportunity. Once you know features like Projects, Artifacts, and Memory, you can do the same work faster and more consistently. Here are the core features worth learning first. (Features and availability may change.)
🟢 Model references match the current lineup · model notice · Fable subscription
Fable 5 and 5.1 subscription (updated September 7, 2026): Claude Fable 5.1, released September 1, 2026, is the current Fable model and Fable 5 is now legacy. Plan terms are the same for both — Max and Team Premium plans include Fable at up to 50% of the weekly usage limit; Pro and Team Standard use usage credits (
Artifacts — open results in a separate panel to view and edit
Artifacts open Claude's output — code, documents, diagrams — in a separate panel next to the chat. Long outputs no longer get buried in the conversation, and you can preview, edit, copy, and export them directly.
Supported formats (as of July 2026):
- Code and scripts
- HTML web pages and interactive React components
- SVG vector graphics and Mermaid diagrams
- Formatted Markdown documents
- Downloadable files (.docx, .pptx, .xlsx, .pdf, etc.)
Artifacts are available on all plans, including the free tier. You can publish a finished artifact to create a shareable link, and recipients can view it without a Claude account. Some advanced features (e.g., persistent storage, Live Artifacts that stay connected to data and refresh automatically) are available on paid plans.
Projects — a workspace that holds your context
Projects are workspaces that maintain context across multiple conversations. When you start a new chat inside a project, Claude already knows:
- Custom instructions — standing directions (tone, format, role, constraints) applied to every chat in that project
- Reference files — documents you've uploaded for Claude to consult
- The accumulated context of conversations in that project
For example, create a "Company Blog" project and add your brand tone, forbidden phrasing, and example posts — then you get consistent results without repeating the same setup every time. Projects suit recurring work where context and continuity matter.
If Artifacts are the "output," Projects are the "container for context (input)." Use them together: build and iterate inside a project, then share the resulting artifact as a link.
Memory — remembering beyond a single conversation
Memory summarizes context from past conversations and remembers it across sessions. Anthropic began offering memory to all users, including the free tier, in March 2026.
- It remembers context like your name, your location (when relevant to a query), ongoing projects and their status, and your working style.
- You can view, edit, and delete what it remembers under Settings → Capabilities → Memory.
- You can turn memory off, or use Temporary Chat mode for individual conversations you don't want remembered.
- Each project has its own memory space — memories from project chats and from standalone chats are kept separate.
- Memory itself is free, but the ability to search and cite past conversations is limited to paid plans (Pro, Max, Team, Enterprise).
With memory on, you don't have to re-explain your background every time. If keeping sensitive information stored feels uncomfortable, manage it in the settings above.
Other things worth knowing
- File uploads — upload documents and images to analyze, summarize, or ask about.
- Web search — use search for questions that need up-to-date information.
- Connectors (MCP) — connect external services like Google Drive and Gmail to broaden context (availability varies by plan and settings).
One thing to note: Claude is a model that takes text and image input and produces text output. It has no native image, audio, or video generation (it can read and understand images, though).
Summary
- Artifacts: view, edit, and share outputs in a separate panel — all plans
- Projects: bundle instructions, files, and context for consistent recurring work
- Memory: remembers context across conversations, managed in settings
For autonomous work directly on your files, see Claude Cowork.
When you need live information, also check the web search & Research features.
Learn more: for Claude working directly inside your browser, see the Claude in Chrome guide.
For using Claude inside spreadsheets, see the Claude in Excel guide.
This article is for general guidance only. Features, availability, and plan structures may change per Anthropic's policies. Check the latest behavior in the Claude app and official docs.
Related articles
- How to Use Claude Projects: Knowledge & Instructions to Cut Repetition
- Claude Artifacts: How to Create, Edit, Publish & Share (2026)
- Claude Memory — How to Make Claude Remember and Manage It
- Claude Opus 4.8 New Features: Fast Mode, System Messages, effort
- How to Write Prompts for Claude: 6 Core Principles from the Official Docs
- Claude Memory Import & Export — Back Up or Move Your Memory to Another AI
- How to See Your Claude Monthly Recap (Reflect Settings Guide)
- How to Set Break Reminders and Quiet Hours in Claude