Overview
My Computer by Manus AI is a desktop application for Windows and macOS (Apple Silicon) that brings Manus's autonomous AI agent directly onto your local machine. Where Manus previously operated exclusively inside a secure cloud sandbox, My Computer closes the gap by giving the agent access to your actual files, installed tools, and local computing resources — including your GPU.
The agent can execute terminal commands, read and reorganize local files, launch applications, and build software using whatever development tools you already have installed (Python, Node.js, Swift, and more). Because Manus also integrates with cloud services like Gmail and Google Calendar, My Computer enables hybrid workflows that span your desktop and the web from a single natural-language instruction.
It's built for professionals tired of manual file management, developers who want an AI that can run real code on their machine, and anyone looking to delegate repetitive computer tasks to an agent that actually executes — not just advises.
Key Features
- Local file management — Manus can browse, rename, sort, and edit files in any local folder, automating tasks like organizing thousands of product photos into labeled directories or batch-renaming hundreds of invoice files into a standardized format.
- Terminal command execution — The agent runs shell commands in your local environment using whichever CLI tools you have installed, allowing it to set up projects, write code, run tests, and package applications without you touching a terminal.
- Local GPU utilization — My Computer taps idle GPU resources on your device, turning a machine like a Mac mini into a dedicated AI workstation that can run compute-intensive tasks continuously.
- Remote task assignment — With Manus Desktop running on a device, you can delegate tasks to that machine from any other location, turning it into an always-on automation workstation you can direct from your phone or laptop.
- Cloud + local hybrid workflows — Manus combines local file access with integrations for Gmail, Google Calendar, and other cloud services, so you can chain tasks across your desktop and online accounts in one instruction.
- Approval-gated security — Before running any terminal command, Manus requests explicit confirmation. You can approve commands one at a time, or use Manus's "Always Allow" option for trusted tasks.
How to Get Started
- Create a Manus account — Sign up at manus.im. A Free plan is available with no credit card required.
- Download Manus Desktop — Install the macOS or Windows desktop application from your account dashboard.
- Log in and connect — Open the app and sign in with your Manus credentials to link the local agent to your cloud account.
- Grant file and terminal access — Follow the on-screen prompts to specify which directories and tools Manus is allowed to work with.
- Run your first task — Type a natural-language instruction (e.g., "Sort all the PDFs in my Downloads folder by month") and approve the proposed terminal commands when prompted.
How It Compares
| My Computer by Manus | Perplexity Computer | Claude Computer Use | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Platform | macOS, Windows | Web-based | API / developer integration |
| Local file access | ✅ Full read & write | ❌ Cloud only | ✅ Via UI simulation |
| Terminal execution | ✅ With user approval | ❌ | ❌ |
| Local GPU support | ✅ | ❌ | ❌ |
| No-code setup | ✅ | ✅ | ❌ Requires dev setup |
| Free tier | ✅ | ✅ | Usage-based API billing |
My Computer's clearest differentiator is genuine terminal execution on your own hardware. Competitors like Claude Sonnet 4.6's computer-use mode interact with your system through visual UI simulation, while My Computer runs actual shell commands — which makes it especially suited to file operations and CLI-driven development tasks.
Pricing & Plans
Manus AI uses a credit-based system. Credits are consumed per task based on complexity — simple web searches use around 10–20 credits; complex multi-step projects can exceed 900 credits.
| Plan | Monthly Price | Credits / Month | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | $0 | 300 daily refresh credits; 1 concurrent task; 2 scheduled tasks | Exploring the platform |
| Standard | $20 | 4,000 monthly credits + 300 daily refresh credits | Regular professional use |
| Customizable | $40 | 8,000 + 300 daily refresh | Power users needing more headroom |
| Extended | $200 | 40,000 + 300 daily refresh | Heavy or sustained usage |
| Team | Starting from $20/seat/month | Shared team credit pool | Organizations |
Annual billing offers a 17% discount across all paid plans. Add-on credits are available to users on the highest-tier subscription. They carry over while you keep an active paid subscription, but become inactive if that subscription lapses. Note: Manus does not provide upfront credit estimates before a task begins.
Best For
- Freelancers and professionals managing large local archives of photos, invoices, or documents
- Developers who want an AI agent that can build, debug, and package projects directly on their machine
- Remote workers who want to delegate tasks to a home or office computer from another device
- Power users comfortable granting CLI access to an AI in exchange for deep, hands-free automation
- Teams exploring AI workflow automation that spans cloud services and local desktop environments
FAQ
What operating systems does Manus Desktop support?
The official download page currently lists Windows and macOS (Apple Silicon) versions for Manus Desktop.
Is there a free plan available for My Computer?
Yes. Manus offers a Free plan with limited monthly credits. You can download Manus Desktop and use My Computer features under the Free plan, subject to your available credit balance.
How does Manus handle security when accessing local files?
Manus requires explicit user approval before executing any terminal command on your machine. You can approve commands one at a time or configure trusted command patterns to run automatically, following a Zero Trust approach that keeps you in control at all times.
Can I use My Computer without an internet connection?
No. Manus is a cloud-connected AI agent. While it accesses your local machine, an active internet connection is required for the agent to communicate with Manus's backend.
What happens to credits I don't use by the end of the month?
Credits included in your monthly plan reset at the billing cycle. Add-on credit packs purchased separately never expire and carry over indefinitely, but require an active paid subscription to use.
Can I assign tasks to a machine I'm not physically at?
Yes. As long as Manus Desktop is running on the target device, you can assign tasks to it remotely from any other device — effectively turning it into a headless AI workstation.
Does My Computer support GPU-intensive tasks like running local AI models?
Yes. My Computer can utilize your local GPU for compute-intensive operations, such as running local AI models or resource-heavy scripts, making idle machines more useful as dedicated AI workstations.
How does Manus compare to other computer-use AI agents?
Unlike agents that rely on visual UI simulation, My Computer executes real terminal commands in your local environment. This makes it particularly effective for developer workflows, bulk file operations, and tasks that require local CLI tools. See the Manus AI review for a deeper breakdown.
Is My Computer suitable for non-technical users?
Yes — the no-code natural language interface means you don't need to write any commands yourself. Manus proposes the terminal commands it plans to run, and you simply approve or reject them before they execute.
