AI startup Manus has launched its desktop app for Apple Silicon-based Macs, bringing its cloud-based AI agent directly to users' machines. The new 'My Computer' system transforms Macs and PCs into personal AI assistants that can manage local files, execute commands, and automate workflows. Manus originally operated as an independent AI firm before being acquired by Meta at the end of last year.

This release positions Manus as a direct competitor to OpenClaw and Perplexity's Personal Computer offerings. The desktop application allows Manus AI to interact with users' local environments through terminal commands, enabling it to read, analyze, and edit files while launching and controlling applications. Meta's acquisition strategy has been aggressive in this space, with the company also recently purchasing MoltBook, a social media platform for AI bots.

Manus demonstrates its capabilities through practical examples like organizing thousands of unsorted flower shop photos or renaming hundreds of invoices in minutes. The system scans files, identifies content, creates categorized subfolders, and executes batch operations through command line instructions. By moving from cloud-only to desktop deployment, Manus aims to make AI assistance more accessible and powerful for everyday productivity tasks.