Fix: Permission Denied / File Access Error

Error Message:

"Permission denied" "Cannot read file at path /Users/..." "Access to the requested resource is forbidden"

The Cause

Claude Cowork runs in a sandboxed environment on macOS. By default, it does not have access to your entire file system. It only has access to:

  1. The folder you explicitly granted it access to during setup.
  2. Specific sub-directories within that folder.

If you try to make it read a file outside these bounds (e.g., in /Downloads when it only has access to /Documents), this error occurs.

The Fix

Method 1: Move the File (Recommended)

The simplest fix is to move the file you want Claude to work on into the folder Claude already has access to.

  1. Locate your Cowork Workspace Folder (usually ~/Documents/Cowork).
  2. Drag the file into this folder.
  3. Ask Claude to try again.

Method 2: Grant New Permissions (macOS Settings)

If you need Claude to access a new directory permanently:

  1. Open System Settings -> Privacy & Security.
  2. Find Files and Folders.
  3. Find Claude in the list.
  4. Click the + button to add a new folder (e.g., your whole ~/Projects directory).
  5. Restart Claude for changes to take effect.

Method 3: Check Read-Only Files

Sometimes the file itself is locked or read-only.