Computer use

Computer use lets an agent look at your screen and control your mouse and keyboard, the way a person would.

It is the most powerful thing C5 can do, and the one to be most careful with.

When it is useful #

Most work does not need it. Reach for computer use when a program has no other way in:

An old desktop program with no way to connect to it
A website that only works by clicking through it
Copying information between two programs that do not talk to each other
Anything where "just click these buttons in order" is the real task

If a tool or integration can do the job instead, use that. It is faster and safer.

How it works #

The agent takes a picture of your screen, decides what to do, then moves the mouse or types. Then it looks again to see what happened, and repeats.

You watch it happen. It is not hidden or running invisibly in the background.

Turning it on #

Computer use is off until you turn it on.

Go to Settings.
Open Autonomy and allow the Control level — this is the permission that covers driving your screen, mouse, and keyboard. See Permissions.
Open Extensions and set the computer-use tool to On or Prompt. Choose Prompt unless you have a reason not to.

Your operating system will also ask for permission the first time. That is normal — the operating system protects screen access and input control by design.

Staying in control #

Approve each program. An agent can only work with programs you allowed.
Watch it work. You see every action as it happens.
Stop any time. Click Stop and it ends. Note that moving your own mouse does not interrupt it — the agent and you share one pointer, so use the Stop button rather than trying to wrestle it.
Risky clicks ask where C5 can tell. Actions that look like sending, deleting, publishing, or paying stop for your approval first. C5 is reading the screen, so it cannot recognize all of them.

Danger Never let an agent type a password, a card number, or a security code on your behalf. If a task needs those, do that part yourself. C5 is built to ask you rather than handle them, but the safest habit is to keep credentials out of any automated flow.

Good habits #

Try it on something harmless first so you can see how it behaves.
Close what it does not need. Fewer open windows means fewer mistakes.
Be exact. "Click the blue Export button at the top right" beats "export it."
Do not walk away the first few times you use it.

What gets recorded #

Every action is written down: what was clicked, what was typed, what was on screen. You can review it afterwards in the task's history.

Screenshots are stored on your computer, in your data folder, along with the rest of your work. See Local encryption for how that folder is protected — and what that protection does not cover.

Where to go next #

Permissions — where the limits are set.
What tools do — the safer alternatives to reach for first.