---
title: "Use your computer with Bearly"
description: "Let Bearly complete tasks in visible desktop apps while you control what it can see, do, and how long access lasts."
canonical: "https://bearly.ai/docs/features/computer-use/"
markdown: "https://bearly.ai/docs/features/computer-use.md"
---

# Use your computer with Bearly

HTML: [https://bearly.ai/docs/features/computer-use/](https://bearly.ai/docs/features/computer-use/)

> Let Bearly complete tasks in visible desktop apps while you control what it can see, do, and how long access lasts.

Computer Use lets Bearly work through the same windows and controls you use: it can inspect what is on screen, click, type, scroll, drag, use keyboard shortcuts, and move between visible apps.

It is available in the Bearly desktop app for macOS, Windows, and Linux. It is not available on the web or on mobile. A conversation that used Computer Use remains readable elsewhere, but return to that chat in the desktop app before asking Bearly to look at or control your computer again.

> **Caution — Computer Use can control the full desktop**
> Bearly may capture and send screenshots of your full display to the AI model selected for the task. It may also change focus, switch between visible apps, and control the mouse and keyboard. Close or hide anything you do not want included before granting access.


## Complete a desktop task



1. **Open a chat in the desktop app**

   For the clearest result, open the app or window involved and leave it visible. You do not need to turn on a separate mode.

2. **Describe the result and its boundaries**

   Ask for the complete task in ordinary language. Include the app, the desired result, and any point where Bearly should pause.

   ```text copy
   In the spreadsheet already open on my desktop, sort the Budget tab by due date. Stop before saving.
   ```

3. **Review the permission request**

   When Bearly needs desktop access, a **Use your computer** card shows the **Goal**, initial **Scope**, and **Duration**. Check these details before choosing:

   - **Allow** grants access for this response. Access ends when the response finishes.
   - **For now** → **Allow for now** keeps access available for the current Computer Use session, including later responses, until you stop it.
   - **Deny** keeps desktop access blocked. You can revise the request or complete the step yourself.

   The initial scope may name one visible app, but Bearly can switch to another visible window or the full desktop while completing the approved task.

4. **Follow the live activity**

   A **Computer** control appears near the chat input while access is active. Its status shows whether Bearly is starting, looking, or working in an app. The response also includes a **Computer Use** activity record with the app or screen being used and the actions involved.

   Keep an eye on the computer while Bearly works. You can move sensitive information out of view or stop the task at any time.

5. **Stop access when you are finished**

   Select **Stop** in the **Computer** control to stop the current task and revoke its session permission. The chat's regular stop control also stops an active Computer Use task.



## Confirm sensitive actions

Some actions produce a second **Confirm this computer action** request. Review the reason, then select **Allow** only if the action matches what you asked for. Select **Deny** to prevent that action; you can then give Bearly a safer or more specific instruction.

For consequential work, tell Bearly where to pause—for example, before sending a message, submitting a form, saving over a file, or confirming a purchase. Computer Use can make mistakes, just as a person can when working quickly through an interface.

## Allow system access on macOS

Computer Use needs permission to observe the screen and control other apps. If Bearly asks for either permission:

1. Open **System Settings** → **Privacy & Security** → **Accessibility**, then allow **Bearly**.
2. Under **Privacy & Security**, open **Screen Recording** and allow **Bearly**. Some macOS versions call this **Screen & System Audio Recording**.
3. Return to Bearly and send the request again.

If your system asks you to reopen Bearly after changing a permission, reopen it before retrying the task.

## Finish Windows setup

On Windows, Bearly may offer a small Computer Use helper for more reliable control of protected and background windows.

- When **Finish setting up Computer Use** appears, select **Finish setup** and approve the Windows administrator prompt.
- When **Finish updating Computer Use** appears, select **Update** and approve the prompt.
- To check or retry setup later, open your account menu in the sidebar footer, choose **App Settings**, then select **Runtime** in the **Desktop** section. Review **Windows Computer Use helper** and choose **Install** or **Update**.

Windows asks for administrator approval because the helper is installed for everyone on that PC. Bearly itself continues to run as your normal user. You can choose **Remove Computer Use helper** from the same settings area; removal also requires administrator approval.

Computer Use may still handle ordinary visible windows without the helper, but protected or background windows can be less reliable. If a task stalls on one of those windows, finish or update the helper and try again.

## If Computer Use does not start

| What you see | What to do |
| --- | --- |
| Bearly says Computer Use is available only in the desktop app | Open the same conversation in the Bearly desktop app. Earlier results remain in the chat. |
| Bearly says the desktop app is too old or does not support Computer Use | Update Bearly to the current desktop release, reopen it, and retry. |
| Bearly asks for **Accessibility** or **Screen Recording** | Grant the requested macOS permission, then retry the message. |
| Bearly cannot find the app or window | Open or restore the relevant window so it is visible, then ask Bearly to continue. |
| A Windows helper installation or update was canceled | Open **App Settings** → **Runtime** and select **Install** or **Update** again. |
| Computer Use is blocked for your workspace | Ask a team administrator whether the assigned policy permits Computer Use and the models it needs. |
| An action fails or the wrong window is active | Select **Stop**, bring the intended window into view, and send a narrower instruction. |

Managed-team administrators can control availability from **Teams** → team name → **Policies** → policy name → **Code & Automation** → **Disable Computer Use**.

## Continue through the documentation

- [Documentation index](https://bearly.ai/docs.md): Browse every Bearly guide.
- [Previous: Turn text into speech](https://bearly.ai/docs/features/text-to-speech.md)
- [Next: Work with local files](https://bearly.ai/docs/features/work-locally.md)