Manus releases desktop AI agent, allowing direct access to local files and applications.

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Meta-acquired AI startup Manus launched a desktop application on Monday, bringing its AI agent directly onto users’ personal devices, marking a significant shift from an exclusively cloud-based model to local operations.

The core feature released this time is called "My Computer," allowing Manus agents to directly read, analyze, and edit local files, as well as launch or control applications on the user's device. This expanded capability puts Manus in more direct competition with OpenClaw, which has recently attracted broad market attention.

The direct significance of this upgrade for users and the market is that Manus’s AI agent is no longer limited to the cloud and web interface, but can now deeply integrate into users’ local workflows. At the same time, security and privacy issues have become a focus, and Manus states it will manage these via explicit user authorization mechanisms.

From Cloud to Local: Major Expansion of Core Features

Previously, Manus’s general-purpose AI agent only ran in the cloud, requiring users to access it via a web interface. The newly launched desktop app removes this limitation, and the "My Computer" feature enables the agent to execute complex multi-step tasks directly on the user’s device.

According to Manus, this feature’s specific capabilities include: organizing thousands of image files on the hard drive, collaborating with programming applications, and creating applications within minutes.

These local capabilities are added on top of existing features, which already include integration with Google Calendar, Gmail, and multiple third-party platforms.

Security & Privacy: Local Permissions Draw Industry Attention

Experts point out that granting AI agents access to local devices presents potential security and privacy risks, a topic that has received broad industry discussion since the popularity of OpenClaw.

Addressing these concerns, Manus states that the "My Computer" feature requires explicit user authorization before performing any tasks and offers two authorization modes:

"Allow Once" is for one-time approvals, and "Always Allow" is for trusted, repetitive operations. Manus says this design ensures users always maintain control.

Going Head-to-Head with OpenClaw: The Competitive Landscape Takes Shape

Manus’s move to support local devices is widely seen as a direct competitive response to OpenClaw.

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang described OpenClaw as "the next ChatGPT" during a CNBC "Mad Money" interview.

Notably, OpenClaw’s developer Peter Steinberger has joined OpenAI—one of Meta’s main competitors in the AI field.

The two products differ significantly in business model: OpenClaw is free and open-sourced under the MIT license, while Manus operates mainly via a paid subscription model.

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