Meta's Manus launched its desktop application on March 16, 2026, bringing its AI agent from the cloud directly onto personal computers with a feature called 'My Computer.'
Through My Computer, the Manus agent can read, analyze, and edit local files, launch and control applications, execute terminal commands, and run multi-step tasks including coding — all without uploading anything to a server.
This is a significant shift from Manus's previous cloud-only model, where agents were accessed exclusively through web interfaces. The desktop app gives the AI direct access to your local file system, terminal (CLI), and installed applications — Python, Node.js, Swift, Xcode, ffmpeg, and more.
Security controls require explicit approval before executing tasks, with 'Allow Once' for individual review or 'Always Allow' for trusted recurring actions. Users remain firmly in control of what the agent can and cannot do.
My Computer is available for both macOS and Windows users. The free plan gives limited access, with paid plans starting at $20/month or $17/month billed annually.
The launch comes amid the broader explosion of personal AI agents in 2026, positioning Manus as a competitor to OpenClaw and Claude Cowork in the race to make AI a persistent, capable presence on personal devices.