Manus Introduces “My Computer,” Bringing Its AI Agent Directly to Users’ Local PCs

AI agent platform Manus has announced a new feature called “My Computer,” allowing its AI agent to directly interact with a user’s local computer through the new Manus Desktop application.

Until now, Manus operated entirely in a cloud-based sandbox environment. This setup provided the AI agent with core capabilities such as networking, a command-line interface, a file system, and a browser within an isolated and secure environment. However, much of a user’s important work - including project files, development tools, and applications—typically resides on their personal computer rather than in the cloud.

The new My Computer feature aims to bridge that gap. Through the Manus Desktop app, the AI agent can execute command-line instructions in the user’s terminal, enabling it to read, analyze, and edit local files, as well as launch and control applications installed on the machine.

According to Manus, this functionality allows users to automate various time-consuming tasks. For example, a florist with thousands of unsorted images could ask Manus to organize photos of bouquets, plants, and customers into categorized folders. Similarly, an accountant could automatically rename hundreds of invoice files into a standardized format—tasks that would normally take hours to complete manually.

Beyond file management, the feature also expands the potential for software development automation. Because Manus can access local command-line tools such as Python, Node.js, and other development environments, it can build applications directly on a user’s machine.

In one internal test, a colleague asked Manus to create a real-time meeting translation and subtitle application using Swift on a Mac. The entire process - from project setup to coding, debugging, and packaging -was completed through terminal commands, producing a functional Mac application in about 20 minutes without opening a development environment manually.

My Computer can also utilize a user’s local computing resources, including GPUs that may otherwise remain idle. For instance, a device such as a Mac mini running continuously could be repurposed as a dedicated AI workstation. As long as the machine remains powered on with Manus Desktop running, users can assign tasks to it remotely from other devices.

The feature also integrates with cloud services. Manus already supports services such as Gmail and Google Calendar, enabling workflows that combine cloud and local capabilities. For example, a user could remotely instruct Manus to locate a contract stored on their home computer and send it to a client via email.

To address security concerns, Manus requires explicit user approval before executing any terminal command on the local system. Users can approve actions individually or allow trusted commands to run automatically.

The My Computer feature is available starting today for both macOS and Windows users. According to Manus, the goal is to move beyond AI as a simple conversational tool and instead position it as an “action engine” capable of orchestrating tasks across cloud services, applications, and personal computers.