Computer Use

Computer use gives the agent a real Linux desktop: click, type, scroll, screenshot. Use it when the task needs a browser, GUI app, or terminal.

When it activates

Every sandboxed run already has a desktop alongside normal tools. The agent uses it when the task needs one:

  • computer: mouse, keyboard, screenshots
  • bash: shell, filesystem, processes
  • str_replace_based_edit_tool: read and edit files

Integrations (Slack, GitHub, etc.) work in the same run.

Python
from m8tes import M8tes

client = M8tes()

with client.runs.create(
    agent_id=YOUR_AGENT_ID,
    message="Open a browser, go to example.com, and tell me the page title.",
) as stream:
    for chunk in stream.iter_text():
        print(chunk, end="", flush=True)

What the agent can do

  • Browse the web and fill out forms
  • Run scripts and commands
  • Open, edit, and save files
  • Use installed GUI apps
  • Copy, paste, drag, scroll, shortcuts

After each action the agent sees a screenshot and decides the next step.

Stream events

Same SSE stream as other runs, plus:

EventWhenKey fields
sandbox-connectingEnvironment startingmessage
sandbox-connectedDesktop readymessage, duration_ms
tool_useAgent takes an actionname (computer/bash/editor), input
tool_resultAction resultcontent (screenshot for computer actions)
text-deltaAgent textevent.delta

Screenshots show in chat after each action. From the stream:

Python
with client.runs.create(agent_id=YOUR_AGENT_ID, message="Take a screenshot of the dashboard") as stream:
    for event in stream:
        if event.type == "tool_result":
            for block in event.content or []:
                if block.get("type") == "image":
                    data = block["source"]["data"]  # base64 PNG

Watch live

When computer use engages, a watch live link appears on the run's environment pill. Read-only view of the desktop; expires automatically. You cannot take over mouse or keyboard.

Limitations

  • No session resume. Desktop state resets between runs. Written files stay in the run's file list; the desktop starts fresh.

Next: Tools · Streaming · Files

Was this page helpful?