Computer Use
Definition
Computer Use refers to AI models that can interact with graphical user interfaces by viewing screenshots and performing mouse clicks and keyboard inputs, enabling automation of desktop and web applications.
Why It Matters
Most software doesn’t have APIs. Legacy systems, desktop applications, and many web interfaces are designed for humans clicking buttons, not programmatic access. Computer Use breaks this barrier by enabling AI to interact with software the same way humans do.
The key insight: instead of building integrations for each system, train models to understand screenshots and generate appropriate mouse/keyboard actions. One capability unlocks access to virtually any software with a visual interface.
For AI engineers, Computer Use opens automation possibilities that were previously impractical. RPA (Robotic Process Automation) workflows that once required brittle scripts can now be handled by an AI that understands context and adapts to interface changes.
How It Works
Computer Use combines vision models with action generation:
1. Screenshot Capture The system takes a screenshot of the current display and sends it to the model as an image input.
2. Visual Understanding The model analyzes the screenshot, identifying UI elements, reading text, and understanding the current application state.
3. Action Generation Based on the goal and current state, the model outputs the next action: move mouse to coordinates (x, y), click, type text, or press key combinations.
4. Execution and Loop The action executes on the actual computer, a new screenshot is captured, and the process repeats until the task completes.
Implementation Basics
Setting up Computer Use capabilities:
Anthropic Implementation Claude’s computer use provides tool definitions for mouse movement, clicking, typing, and key presses. Run in a sandboxed environment (Docker/VM) for safety.
Environment Setup Always run Computer Use in isolated environments. The model controls actual inputs, and mistakes could affect your real desktop. Use virtual machines or containers.
Coordinate System Actions use screen coordinates. The model must map visual elements to pixel positions. Higher resolution screenshots improve accuracy but increase token costs.
Error Handling Build retry logic and timeout handling. Models may misclick or misinterpret interfaces. Include verification steps to confirm actions succeeded.
Safety Boundaries Restrict accessible applications and URLs. Implement kill switches. Monitor for unexpected behavior. Never run with access to sensitive systems without human oversight.
When to Use Computer Use excels for one-off automations, interacting with legacy software, and tasks requiring visual verification. For high-volume automation, traditional APIs remain more efficient and reliable.
The technology is emerging and models make mistakes. Start with low-stakes tasks and add human verification for anything critical.
Source
Claude's computer use capability allows models to view a screen, move a cursor, click buttons, and type text, enabling interaction with any application a human can use.
https://docs.anthropic.com/en/docs/agents-and-tools/computer-use