Five features.
One workflow.

Open the model picker and use the model available on your plan that suits the task. Begin with an everyday model for drafts and summaries. Use a stronger reasoning model when the task is complex enough to justify extra time or usage. Compare two models on one prompt instead of assuming the most expensive one is always better.

Exercise: Give both models the same short brief. Compare accuracy, missing context, editing effort and speed. Record the choice you would make next time.

A skill is a reusable procedure and supporting material. Choose a recurring task such as turning meeting notes into a decision log. Write its inputs, steps, output format and quality checks. Test it on two different examples. If it only works on one example, tighten the instructions.

Use Claude’s Skills directory or your own skill depending on what you need. Read what an external skill can do before enabling it.

Connectors let Claude work with authorized external information or actions. Start with one service that holds information this task actually needs. Review the permission screen, then try a read-only request. A connected account does not mean Claude sees every app or every file automatically.

Exercise: Ask for a summary of one known source, then check the source yourself. If the connector can write or send, review the proposed action before allowing it.

Create a Project for one ongoing area, add a short purpose statement and project instructions, then upload one stable reference. The project name and description alone are not working context; use project knowledge and instructions. Chats in a Project can draw on shared project knowledge, while individual chat context is not simply merged into every other chat.

Use account-wide instructions for preferences you want everywhere, such as concise explanations or a preferred spelling convention. Use project instructions for a particular brand or team. Use a skill when the process has multiple steps or supporting files.

Final exercise: Run one real task with your model choice, project context and saved instructions. Keep a note of what improved, what still needed editing, and which setting actually made the difference.