Open Computer Use

Guidance for installing, configuring, and operating Open Computer Use, an open-source Computer Use MCP service for macOS, Linux, and Windows.

Overview

Open Computer Use is an open-source Computer Use service exposed through MCP. It lets compatible AI agents operate local desktop apps on macOS, Linux, and Windows through tools such as list_apps, get_app_state, click, type_text, press_key, scroll, drag, and set_value.

Use this skill when a user wants to install, configure, verify, troubleshoot, or operate Open Computer Use from an agent runtime such as Codex, Claude Code, Gemini CLI, opencode, or another MCP client.

Install

Install the CLI:

sh

npm i -g open-computer-use

On macOS, run it once and grant Accessibility and Screen Recording permissions:

sh

open-computer-use

Windows and Linux do not require the macOS permission step.

MCP Setup

Install into Codex:

sh

open-computer-use install-codex-mcp

Or configure any MCP client manually:

json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "open-computer-use": {
      "command": "open-computer-use",
      "args": ["mcp"]
    }
  }
}

Other Agent Integrations

Open Computer Use also includes installer commands for common agent runtimes:

sh

open-computer-use install-codex-plugin
open-computer-use install-claude-mcp
open-computer-use install-gemini-mcp
open-computer-use install-opencode-mcp

Direct CLI Calls

Use the CLI to call one tool:

sh

open-computer-use call list_apps
open-computer-use call get_app_state --args '{"app":"TextEdit"}'

Run a sequence in one process so element indexes can be reused:

sh

open-computer-use call --calls '[{"tool":"get_app_state","args":{"app":"TextEdit"}},{"tool":"press_key","args":{"app":"TextEdit","key":"Return"}}]'

Check setup and permissions:

sh

open-computer-use doctor

Operating Rules

• Treat Computer Use as control over the user's real desktop session.
• Ask before actions that send messages, submit forms, delete data, install software, change system settings, make purchases, or expose sensitive local information.
• Prefer accessibility element indexes from get_app_state over coordinate clicks when available.
• Re-read app state after important actions before continuing.
• On macOS, if tools fail due to permissions, ask the user to grant Accessibility and Screen Recording for the Open Computer Use app or runtime process.

Project Links

• Repository: https://github.com/iFurySt/open-codex-computer-use
• npm package: https://www.npmjs.com/package/open-computer-use