OpenManus

What is OpenManus?

OpenManus is an open-source framework for building and running general-purpose AI agents without needing an invite code, created by contributors from the MetaGPT community as a free take on the Manus agent. You install it in a Python 3.12 environment with conda or uv, add your LLM API settings to a config.toml file, and start the agent with python main.py, then type your idea into the terminal. By default it launches Browser Use as an MCP server so the agent can drive a local Chrome or Chromium browser, or a remote Browser Use Cloud browser. Other entry points include an MCP tool version, an experimental multi-agent flow and an optional DataAnalysis agent for data analysis and charts. The project is MIT licensed, so there are no plans or fees, and costs come from the LLM provider you configure. A companion project, OpenManus-RL, explores reinforcement-learning tuning of LLM agents.

Use cases

• Run a general-purpose AI agent from the terminal
• Automate web tasks with a browser agent
• Analyze data and build charts with an agent
• Study or extend an open agent codebase
• Prototype multi-agent workflows

Who it's for

• AI developers
• Researchers
• Hobbyists
• Open-source contributors

Why use OpenManus

• No invite or subscription is needed, and the code is MIT licensed.
• You choose the model and endpoint through config.toml instead of being tied to one provider.
• MCP and browser automation support let the agent use external tools and real web pages.
• A small, readable codebase is easier to study and modify than a large agent platform.
• A community on Discord and Feishu and an active contribution process help you get answers.

OpenManus features

• Terminal agent started with python main.py
• Browser Use CLI launched as a default MCP server
• Local Chrome or Chromium control, or Browser Use Cloud browsers
• MCP tool version through run_mcp.py
• Experimental multi-agent flow through run_flow.py
• Optional DataAnalysis agent for analysis and visualization
• LLM settings in config.toml, with a separate vision model option
• Install with conda or uv on Python 3.12
• Related OpenManus-RL project for reinforcement-learning agent tuning

OpenManus integrations

• Browser Use
• Playwright
• OpenAI
• Chrome
• Chromium
• BrowserGym

How to get started with OpenManus

1. Create a Python 3.12 environment with conda or uv and clone the repository.
2. Install the dependencies from requirements.txt.
3. Copy config.example.toml to config.toml and add your LLM model, base URL and API key.
4. Run python main.py and type your idea into the terminal.
5. Use run_mcp.py for the MCP tool version or run_flow.py to try the multi-agent flow.

OpenManus limitations

• You must supply your own LLM API key and configuration
• The multi-agent flow is described as unstable
• The maintainers call it a simple implementation that is still being built

OpenManus pricing

OpenManus is open source, so you can use and self-host it for free.

Prices can change and may vary by country or exclude tax. Check the official pricing page.

OpenManus alternatives

The main OpenManus alternatives listed on Debuly are Manus, OpenHands, AutoGPT, MetaGPT, CrewAI and OpenClaw. The table compares pricing and platforms; order is A–Z.

1. 

   AutoGPT

   Agent platform with a plain-English AutoPilot, a visual workflow builder and self-hosting, plus a $50/month Pro plan with a 7-day trial.

   Automation and agentsDeveloper platformsProductivity
   FreemiumVisit AutoGPT (official site)
2. 

   CrewAI

   Multi-agent framework and platform for building AI agent crews in Python or a visual editor, then deploying and monitoring them.

   Developer platformsAutomation and agentsCoding
   Open sourceVisit CrewAI (official site)
3. 

   Manus

   General AI agent that carries out multi-step tasks such as research, slides, websites and design from a single prompt.

   Automation and agentsChat assistantsProductivity
   FreemiumVisit Manus (official site)
4. 

   MetaGPT

   Open-source multi-agent framework that assigns GPT roles in a simulated software company to build software from a request.

   CodingAutomation and agentsDeveloper platforms
   Open sourceVisit MetaGPT (official site)
5. 

   OpenClaw

   Open-source personal AI assistant that runs on your own devices and takes actions for you through WhatsApp, Telegram, Slack, Discord and other chat apps.

   Automation and agentsChat assistantsProductivity
   Open sourceVisit OpenClaw (official site)
6. 

   OpenHands

   Open-source AI coding agent platform with a free Agent Canvas, a Teams plan, and self-hosted Enterprise control

   CodingAutomation and agentsDeveloper platforms
   FreemiumVisit OpenHands (official site)

OpenManus FAQ

Sources & verification

Facts on this page come from the official sources below, each with the date we read it. Written by Debuly; the vendor did not review this page.

Image credits

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