In its first major release since being acquired by Meta in January 2026, the AI startup Manus has officially launched its desktop application for macOS and Windows. The headline feature, “My Computer,” marks a paradigm shift for the platform, transitioning the Manus agent from a cloud-sandboxed researcher into a local power user capable of controlling your physical machine.
Introducing “My Computer”
Until now, Manus operated within a secure, isolated cloud environment. With the new desktop app, the agent can now bridge the gap between cloud intelligence and local execution.
- Terminal & CLI Access: Through the desktop app, Manus can execute command-line instructions (CLI) directly in your computer’s terminal. It can read, edit, and organize local files across your entire hard drive.
- Local App Control: The agent can launch and interact with local applications. In a live demo, a user asked Manus to “organize my chaotic Downloads folder,” which it did by scanning thousands of files, categorizing them via AI, and creating a structured subfolder system in minutes.
- App Development: Because it has local access, Manus can leverage your installed development tools—such as Python, Node.js, Swift, and Xcode—to build, debug, and package native applications without the user ever opening an IDE.
Unlocking “Idle Compute”
One of the most innovative aspects of the launch is the ability to use your local hardware for heavy AI lifting.
- GPU Utilization: Users can now instruct Manus to use their local GPU to train machine learning models or run local LLM inference, reducing reliance on expensive cloud credits.
- Remote Assistant: By keeping a “Mac mini” or PC running at home with the Manus Desktop app active, users can send commands from their smartphones while away. Manus will execute the task on the home machine and notify the user upon completion.
The “Agentic” Landscape: A Comparison
Manus is entering a heated battle for the “desktop agent” crown. This launch places it in direct competition with Anthropic’s “Computer Use” and OpenAI’s “Operator.”
| Feature | Manus AI (My Computer) | Anthropic (Computer Use) | OpenAI (Operator) |
| Primary Interface | Native Terminal / CLI | API-driven GUI Control | Browser-based |
| Local File Access | Full (via Desktop App) | Limited (requires API bridge) | No (Cloud only) |
| Development | Native App Building | Code Suggestions | Code Generation |
| Ownership | Meta (acquired 2026) | Independent (Amazon/Google backed) | Microsoft-backed |
Security and “The Zuckerberg Watch”
The shift to local access has raised immediate privacy concerns, with users questioning if Meta now has a “window” into their private desktops. To address this, Manus has implemented a strict “Human-in-the-Loop” protocol:
- Explicit Approval: By default, every terminal command requires the user to click “Allow Once” or “Always Allow.”
- Audit Trail: Every action taken by the agent is logged in a real-time side panel, allowing users to watch the agent navigate and execute tasks.
- Local-First Processing: Meta claims that while the “brain” (LLM) is in the cloud, the data processing for file management stays on the local machine unless the user specifically asks for a cloud-based summary.
Availability
The Manus Desktop app is available for download starting today on Windows (Microsoft Store) and macOS (Apple Silicon). The “My Computer” feature is included in the Pro and Enterprise tiers, with a limited trial available for Free tier users.
