agent-cu vs Claude Computer Use

agent-cu is a command-line tool for controlling desktop apps by clicking, typing, and reading interface information. It uses the accessibility tree that screen readers rely on to identify interface elements, then acts on them through references. Commands include snapshots, selectors, clicks, typing, scrolling, dragging, window management, and JSON output. Users can batch commands and reuse YAML workflows. The tool supports Electron apps through CDP, including Slack, Cursor, VS Code, Postman, Discord, and Notion. Its skill can be used with Claude Code, Cursor, Codex, Copilot, OpenCode, Cline, and 40+ other agents. agent-cu runs locally on macOS, Linux, and Windows; precompiled binaries are available for macOS Apple Silicon and Intel, Linux, and Windows. Installation instructions cover npm, pnpm, yarn, and bun. It requires explicit operating-system accessibility permissions to read and control apps. The project is free and MIT licensed. Its repository states that it is no longer maintained and recommends Cua and Cua Driver instead.

Claude Computer Use has no write-up on Specifiction yet; its figures are above.