Meta’s AI startup Manus launches desktop app that lets agents control your computer

Meta is moving its AI ambitions a step closer to your personal machine. The company’s newly acquired startup Manus has released a desktop application that puts its general-purpose AI agent directly on users’ laptops. Until now, Manus lived in the cloud, accessed through a browser. This shift changes how the agent operates and the degree of control it can have.

Manus first gained attention last year after launching as a general AI agent built to take action, not just respond. It can carry out multi-step tasks across work and personal use cases, handling everything from organizing data to executing workflows with minimal input. With the new desktop app, Manus is no longer limited to remote execution.

At the center of the release is a feature called “My Computer.” It allows the agent to interact directly with files, applications, and tools on a user’s device. That means it can read and edit documents, manage folders, launch programs, and perform tasks within local environments.

The company says users can ask Manus to sort thousands of images stored on a hard drive or work inside coding environments to generate applications in minutes. These new capabilities build on existing integrations with services like Google Calendar and Gmail, extending Manus from a connected assistant into something closer to an operator inside the machine.

The move puts Manus on a more direct collision course with OpenClaw, an open-source AI agent that runs locally on users’ devices. OpenClaw has gained traction quickly, helped in part by its free MIT license and growing developer community. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang recently called it the “next ChatGPT” during an appearance on CNBC’s “Mad Money.”

OpenClaw’s founder, Austrian developer Peter Steinberger, has since joined OpenAI, adding another layer of competition between major players racing to define how AI agents will be used day to day.

AI agents go local: Meta-owned Manus launches desktop app with access to your files and tools

Manus takes a different approach. The product is positioned as a paid service, with tighter integration into Meta’s broader AI ecosystem. Meta confirmed late last year that it had acquired Manus in a deal valued at around $2 billion, aiming to bring its autonomous agent technology into products across its platforms, including the Meta AI assistant.

That acquisition has drawn scrutiny. Chinese regulators have reportedly been reviewing the transaction for potential technology transfer issues. Meta said the deal followed all applicable laws and expects the matter to be resolved.

“The outstanding team at Manus is now deeply integrated into Meta, running, improving and growing the Manus service and will continue to make it available to the millions of people who enjoy it,” a Meta spokesperson told CNBC.

The shift from cloud-based agents to local control raises familiar questions about security and privacy. Giving software access to files and applications on a personal device increases the attack surface. Manus says users remain in control through permission settings. Tasks require approval, with options such as “Allow Once” for one-time actions or “Always Allow” for recurring workflows.

That balance between capability and control is likely to define how quickly users adopt tools like this. The appeal is clear. An agent that can operate directly on a machine could save time across everyday tasks and complex workflows alike.

What’s unfolding now is a broader transition. AI agents are moving out of chat windows and into operating systems, where they can take action on behalf of users. Meta’s push with Manus signals where this category is heading—and how competitive it’s about to become.

Manus Founder