Manus and Meta: My Computer Revolutionizes Local Automation

Manus and Meta: A Breakthrough in Local Task Automation

On March 16, Manus, now under the umbrella of Meta following its acquisition in late 2025, unveiled a significant advancement with the launch of its desktop application featuring the My Computer functionality. This innovation marks a turning point by allowing Manus's AI agent to operate directly on users' workstations, a first for the company that had previously functioned exclusively in the cloud.

Unprecedented Local Features

My Computer stands out for its ability to execute command line instructions (CLI) directly on the user's terminal. This approach enables the AI agent to read, analyze, and modify local files, as well as control installed applications. Among the use cases highlighted by Manus are the automatic organization of file libraries, bulk renaming of documents, the creation of desktop applications without a development environment, and leveraging the local GPU for model training or LLM inference tasks.

In practical terms, this opens the door to automations that were previously not possible with cloud-only operations. For instance, the agent can automatically organize file libraries, whether they are photos or documents, by sorting them based on content and category. It is also capable of bulk renaming files according to a standard format, processing hundreds of items in just a few minutes. Additionally, the agent allows remote control of a powered-on workstation from any device, including mobile.

Enhanced Integration and Security

My Computer integrates seamlessly with existing Manus features, such as Personal Projects, Agents, and Scheduled Tasks. Users can automate routines like sorting the Downloads folder or generating weekly reports. The integrations already available with Google Calendar, Gmail, and other third-party services remain operational, ensuring continuity in the use of familiar tools.

On the security front, each command requires explicit validation, offering the option to choose between a one-time or permanent authorization depending on the sensitivity of the tasks. The agent can also create desktop applications via instructions without needing to open a development environment. Furthermore, leveraging the local GPU allows for training a model or running an LLM in inference, which is particularly useful for professionals requiring computational power.

Simplified Activation on macOS and Windows

To activate My Computer, users must download the Manus desktop application, available on macOS and Windows. The process is straightforward: after logging into their account, they need to select the local folders to be made accessible and confirm the necessary permissions.

Activating My Computer involves a three-step procedure that does not require any particular technical configuration. Users first download the Manus desktop application and log into their account. Then, they click on My Computer in the application interface and select the local folders to be accessible to the agent, before confirming the permissions.

Increased Competition in the Local Agent Space

The launch of My Computer comes amid intense competition. Players like Perplexity with its Personal Computer and OpenClaw with its open-source approach under MIT license have already entered this niche. Meta's acquisition of Manus for approximately $2 billion aims to integrate this technology into the Meta ecosystem, particularly with the Meta AI assistant. My Computer thus represents a consumer-friendly alternative to open-source solutions, strengthening Meta's position in the local agent market.

This launch occurs as several players deploy agents capable of operating directly on local workstations. Perplexity has launched Personal Computer, an agent running continuously on a dedicated Mac mini, accessible from any device. OpenClaw, for its part, has gained traction among developers with its open-source and free approach under the MIT license.

For Meta, the acquisition of Manus, announced on December 29, 2025, for an estimated $2 billion, aims to integrate its agent technology into the group's products, including the Meta AI assistant. With My Computer, Meta is openly positioning itself in this space by offering a consumer-friendly alternative to these open-source approaches.