Computer Use OOTB vs Pan-Agent

Computer Use OOTB is an open-source framework for automating desktop tasks through a graphical interface, using API-based or locally running models. It supports Windows and macOS and provides a Gradio interface without requiring Docker. Users can configure one model for a task or separate models for planning and computer control; listed options include Claude 3.5 Sonnet, GPT-4o, Qwen models, ShowUI, and UI-TARS. Local inference can avoid API costs, though a task using Claude 3.5 Computer Use may cost a few dollars. Setup requires Miniconda, Python 3.12 or newer, dependency installation, and starting the interface with `python app.py`. ShowUI local runs require a CUDA-enabled NVIDIA GPU with at least 6 GB of GPU memory on Windows, or an M1-or-newer Apple Silicon Mac with at least 16 GB unified RAM. A mobile browser can send commands to the computer running the software. The project uses an Apache-2.0 license. Its README warns that model actions can be unintended or harmful and recommends monitoring them; anyone with a public Gradio link may be able to control the computer.

Pan-Agent is a free, MIT-licensed, open-source AI assistant that runs on the user’s own machine. It can take screenshots, interpret screens, type, click, manage windows, run commands, and browse the web. The project lists more than 20 built-in tools, including terminal, filesystem, browser, web search, keyboard, mouse, vision, memory, and cron. It connects to OpenAI-compatible providers such as OpenAI, Anthropic, OpenRouter, Groq, Ollama, LM Studio, vLLM, and llama.cpp. Cron expressions can schedule agent runs, while separate profiles isolate API keys, model settings, persona, memory, and skills. Telegram, Discord, and Slack bots work without a public URL. A headless local HTTP API runs on localhost:8642 and has a documented set of 50 endpoints. Its 103-pattern approval system classifies commands and blocks catastrophic actions by default. Sessions use SQLite, and updates verify Ed25519 signatures. The project says it has no telemetry. Important limits include an unauthenticated API, Linux control requiring X11 or XWayland, unsigned Windows installers, and a macOS app that is not notarized.