The Manus logo will appear on your smartphone screen and the Meta logo will appear in the background.
Chen Xin | Getty Images News | Getty Images
Manas, the artificial intelligence startup recently acquired by Meta, on Monday released a new desktop application that brings its AI agents directly to people’s laptops.
The company’s comprehensive agents, which can perform complex multi-step tasks, previously operated only in the cloud and were typically accessed through a web interface.
However, with the new Manus Desktop application, a feature called “My Computer” allows agents to work directly with local files, tools, and applications on a user’s device.
In this expanded product, Meta and Manus agents work more closely with OpenClaw, an open source AI agent that is also downloaded to users’ local devices.
OpenClaw was founded late last year by Austrian software developer Peter Steinberger, and its popularity has helped spark the AI agent frenzy. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang described OpenClaw as “the next ChatGPT” in an interview with Jim Cramer on CNBC’s “Mad Money” on Tuesday.
Mr. Steinberger is also employed by ChatGPT maker OpenAI, one of Meta’s major AI competitors.
Unlike OpenClaw, which is free and open sourced under the MIT license, Manus is primarily a paid subscription service.
Manus said the company’s My Computer product allows agents to read, analyze and edit files, and launch and control applications on a machine.
For example, users can tell Manas to clean up thousands of internal images on their hard drives, the company said. In addition to file management, My Computer is also compatible with coding applications, allowing you to create apps within minutes.
These features are in addition to existing Manus functionality, including integration with services such as Google Calendar, Gmail, and various third-party platforms.
While such features have a lot of promise, experts also point out potential security and privacy issues when giving AI agents like OpenClaw access to local devices.
Manas said in the post that My Computer will have “tighter control” over users by asking for explicit approval before performing tasks. These options include “Allow once” for individual reviews and “Always allow” for reliable, repeated actions.
Meta announced on December 29, 2025 that it will acquire AI startup Manus with the aim of expanding its AI capabilities and integrating Manus’ autonomous agent technology into products across its platform, including the Meta AI assistant.
Manas was founded in China and moved its headquarters to Singapore. Chinese authorities are reportedly scrutinizing the $2 billion acquisition for possible violations of technology regulations.
