---
title: Computer Use
description: When you ask, an agent can work in the apps on your desktop with a labelled cursor of its own. Every app needs your permission first.
sidebar:
  icon: cursor-01
---

Computer Use lets an agent see and operate the apps on your desktop: click, type and scroll in the
app you name. It is available in the desktop app and runs on the bundled Cua Driver.

## Ask for it

Agents use your computer when you ask, or when a task clearly needs a desktop app that no other tool
covers. Say so in your message, or start it with `/computer`, which tells the agent to use Computer
Use for that request (see all [slash commands](/reference/slash-commands)):

```text
/computer In the Atlas app, fill in the New release form for 2.4.0 and publish it.
```

While a turn uses the computer, the composer shows which app it is working in, with a **Stop**
button.

## Permission, app by app

Before an agent reads or acts on an app, it asks in the chat. You choose how much it may do:

| Access           | Lets the agent                                               |
| ---------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ |
| **Read**         | See the app's windows and take screenshots. No input.        |
| **Act**          | Also click, type and scroll in the app.                      |
| **Full control** | Also bring the app to the front and drive it like you would. |

Grants last until Glade restarts. **Settings → Browser & Computer Use** lists them under **Access
grants**, where you can revoke any of them.

## Stop it from anywhere

Press `ctrl+alt+cmd+esc` on macOS, or `ctrl+alt+shift+esc` on Windows and Linux, to stop Computer Use
from any app, even when Glade isn't in front.

## Turn it on or off

**Allow Computer Use** in **Settings → Browser & Computer Use** is on by default. On, agents may use
the computer in any chat. Off, no computer tools exist anywhere. There is no per-chat switch.

**macOS**

Glade needs **Accessibility**, to read app interfaces and send input, and **Screen Recording**,
to take window screenshots. Settings shows whether each is allowed, with a button to grant it.

**Windows and Linux**

Settings states the platform's input limits instead of permissions.

## Limits

- Computer Use runs on the machine with the Glade window. Chats on an
  [SSH host](/machines/ssh-hosts) and paired devices can't use it.
- An agent works through the app's interface like you would. Keep an eye on long runs, and use
  **Stop** whenever it heads the wrong way.

## Under the hood

Agents use your apps through `computer_*` tools on Glade's `glade` MCP server, backed by the bundled
Cua Driver:

| Group  | Tools                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |
| ------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Access | `computer_apps`, `computer_request_access`, `computer_open_app`, `computer_stop`                                                                                                                                              |
| Look   | `computer_screenshot`, `computer_verify`, `computer_window_state`, `computer_window_frame`                                                                                                                                    |
| Act    | `computer_left_click`, `computer_double_click`, `computer_triple_click`, `computer_right_click`, `computer_left_click_drag`, `computer_scroll`, `computer_type`, `computer_key`, `computer_set_value`, `computer_select_text` |
| System | `computer_menu`, `computer_file_dialog`, `computer_clipboard_read`, `computer_clipboard_write`                                                                                                                                |

`computer_request_access` is what shows the Read, Act or Full control prompt in the chat. With
**Allow Computer Use** off, none of these tools exist.