Key Points:
- Manus’s AI agent, previously cloud-exclusive, now operates directly on desktops.
- The “My Computer” feature allows the agent to manage local files and applications.
- This expands Manus’s capabilities beyond its existing integrations with services like Google Calendar.
- The move follows the trend set by OpenClaw, a popular open-source local AI agent, and raises security and privacy concerns.
Meta-owned AI startup Manus just rolled out a new desktop app, bringing its powerful AI agent directly to personal computers. This move shifts Manus’s AI from a cloud-based web service to a local device, allowing it to interact directly with your files and applications.
Manus’s new “My Computer” feature empowers its AI agent to read, analyze, and edit local files, as well as launch and control applications on your machine. Imagine instructing Manus to organize thousands of images on your hard drive or even create a basic app in minutes – these are the capabilities the company highlights. This significantly broadens the agent’s reach beyond its current integrations with services like Gmail and Google Calendar.
This shift mirrors the success of OpenClaw, a free, open-source AI agent developed by Peter Steinberger. OpenClaw, which also runs on local devices, has garnered significant attention, with Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang even calling it “the next ChatGPT.” Interestingly, Steinberger now works for OpenAI, a major competitor to Meta in the AI space.
While OpenClaw remains free, Manus operates on a paid subscription model. The expansion into local device access brings with it a host of potential benefits, but also raises important questions about security and privacy. Giving an AI agent direct access to your personal computer’s data and functions is a significant step.
Manus addresses these concerns by stating that its “My Computer” feature will keep users in control. It promises to require explicit approval for tasks, offering “Allow Once” for individual review or “Always Allow” for trusted, recurring actions.
Meta acquired Manus on December 29, 2025, in a reported $2 billion deal, aiming to bolster its AI capabilities and integrate Manus’s technology into its own AI assistant and other products. Manus, originally founded in China before moving to Singapore, has seen its acquisition investigated by Chinese officials over potential technology control violations. Meta maintains the acquisition fully complied with applicable law and expects a resolution to the inquiry. The company also stated that the Manus team is now fully integrated into Meta and continues to improve and grow the service for its millions of users.
