What is OpenManus?
OpenManus is a free, open-source tool that works like Manus AI but without needing an invite code. Many AI fans have been asking how to get access to Manus AI, and OpenManus gives you a way to get much of the same power right now.
What makes OpenManus so great is that you can run it on your own computer, offline and locally. It lets you create an AI agent that can write code, browse the web, and build things for you based on simple text commands.
What Can OpenManus Do?
The tool can do many of the same tasks as Manus AI. Here are few examples for reference:
- Build a working SEO cost calculator with HTML and open it in Chrome
- Look up the current price of Tesla stock
- Do web research on a person, pulling data from multiple sites
- Create and run code based on text prompts
One of the best parts about OpenManus is that it can use your web browser to look things up and show you results. This means it has access to current data, unlike some AI tools that have a knowledge cutoff date.
How Does OpenManus Compare to Manus AI?
While OpenManus is very helpful, Manus AI still has some clear benefits. Manus AI has a nicer user interface and can handle more complex tasks. For example, Manus AI can build a full sales page with just one prompt. The page will have good design, well-written copy, and even a working payment link.
Still, if you’re tired of waiting for a Manus AI invite code, OpenManus gives you a way to start using AI agent tech right now.
How to Set Up OpenManus
Setting up OpenManus takes a few steps, but you don’t need to know how to code. Here’s the basic process:
Step 1: Set Up Conda
First, you’ll need to set up Conda, which helps manage the packages needed to run OpenManus. When you run the setup command, it will ask if you want to set up a new environment. Type “Y” for yes and press enter. When asked to proceed, type “Y” again.
Step 2: Clone OpenManus
Next, you’ll clone the OpenManus repository from GitHub. This downloads all the files you need to run the tool.
Step 3: Install Requirements
Run the pip install command to get all the needed packages.
Step 4: Set Up Your API Key
For OpenManus to work, you need an API key. You can use an OpenAI API key, or get a free one from other places.
Good free API key options include:
- Groq.com – They offer free API keys through their dev console
- Hyperbolic – They give away free API keys that work with models like Deep Seek and Mistral
Step 5: Configure the Tool
Use the Nano config command to open the config file, where you’ll add your API key. Once you’ve put in your key, press Control+X, then Y to save and exit.
Step 6: Run OpenManus
Type “python main.py” to start the tool. Once it’s running, you can type your prompts and watch OpenManus go to work.
Using OpenManus for Real Tasks
After setup, you can ask OpenManus to do all kinds of things. For example:
- “Build an SEO cost calculator in HTML and preview in Chrome” – It will write the code for a calculator and open it in your browser.
- “Google the price of Tesla stock” – It will search for and return the current stock price.
- “Research [person name] and information about them” – It will search the web and pull together data from LinkedIn, Twitter, and other sites.
The tool works like an independent assistant that can take action on your computer. If it ever gets stuck, you can press Control+C to stop it, then run the python main.py command again to restart.
Why This Matters
Tools like OpenManus are changing how we work with computers. Instead of having to know how to code or do web research, you can just tell the AI what you want in plain words. This makes many tasks much faster and easier.
For example, if you asked a regular AI chatbot to find the current price of Tesla stock, it would tell you it can’t access the internet. But OpenManus can open your browser, do the search, and get you the latest information.
This kind of AI agent can save you time on tasks like:
- Building simple web tools
- Doing research on companies or people
- Creating code for specific needs
- Gathering data from multiple web sources
Troubleshooting Tips
If you run into problems while setting up OpenManus, you can:
- Take a screenshot of the error
- Copy the GitHub instructions
- Paste both into Claude or another AI assistant
- Ask for help fixing the issue
Since everyone’s computer is different, you might need to solve unique problems based on whether you use Mac, Windows, or Linux.
What are you waiting for
The main benefit of OpenManus is that you don’t need to wait for an invite code. You can start using AI agent tech right now, even if you don’t have access to Manus AI yet.
To get the most from these tools, try writing clear, detailed prompts that explain exactly what you want the AI to do. You might need to restart OpenManus between tasks to keep it running smoothly.
Try OpenManus today and see how AI agents can help with your daily tasks. Whether you need to build a quick web tool or do research across multiple sites, having an AI that can use your browser and take action opens up new ways to work more quickly and easily.
