Just installed Claude? Do these 5 things first: files, Gmail + Calendar, training off, your profile, Claude in Chrome

Most people install Claude and start chatting straight away. I did too. But five quick changes made it much more useful for me. Here they are, in the order I'd do them, with the exact menu names and a prompt you can copy for each.

011. Ask for files, not just answers

Claude can hand you finished files: documents, spreadsheets with working formulas and PowerPoint-compatible presentations. You download them and use them anywhere, or ask Claude to keep refining. Claude's help centre says this newer file experience is rolling out first to Pro and Max.

Try this (fill in the [ ])

Make me a spreadsheet to track [my monthly spending], with columns for [date, item, category, amount] and a total that updates by itself. Give me the file to download.

022. Connect Gmail + Calendar

With Gmail and Google Calendar connected, Claude can look through your email and schedule when you ask. They're available to all users on Claude and Claude Desktop. You connect by signing in with your Google account.

Go to Customize > Connectors and connect your Google account.
In a chat, click the + button, hover over Connectors and switch on the ones you want.
On Team and Enterprise, an owner has to enable them for the organisation first.

Try this

Check my calendar for this week and list any meetings that overlap.

033. Turn off model training

Click your name, then Settings.
Select Privacy.
Switch off "Help improve our AI models".

044. Tell it who you are

Instructions for Claude apply to all your conversations, so you stop repeating yourself.

Click your initials in the lower-left corner and choose Settings.
Find the "Instructions for Claude" field.
Add your work and how you like answers.

Example to paste (edit the [ ])

I work as [a freelance designer]. I mostly use you for [client emails and planning]. Keep answers short, use plain English, and ask me a question if something is unclear.

055. Claude in Chrome (the best one)

Claude in Chrome is a browser extension. It works across your open tabs, reads pages you're signed in to, and can click, type and fill out forms while you decide what happens next. It's available on all paid plans.

Go to claude.com/claude-in-chrome and click "Add to Chrome".
Install it from the Chrome Web Store and sign in.
Open it on the page you're on and ask it to do a task.