A Computer Use Agent（CUA） is an AI system designed to operate a computer visually, much like a human. Instead of relying on APIs or code-level integrations, a CUA observes the screen, interprets graphical user interfaces (GUIs), and performs actions such as clicking, typing, scrolling, dragging, or navigating interfaces. At a high level, the CUA continuously captures screenshots, processes them using computer vision models, and decides what actions to perform based on the user’s instructions. This allows the agent to automate software that does not expose automation-friendly APIs, making it useful for legacy systems, enterprise tools, and consumer applications.
The core of a CUA’s operation is its visual perception and decision-making loop. It begins by detecting UI elements in the screenshot: buttons, text fields, icons, checkboxes, tables, and pop-up dialogs. These are identified using object detection, OCR, and layout analysis models. Once the UI elements are recognized, the CUA interprets which elements correspond to the user instruction. For example, when told to “export the report,” the agent scans for labels or icons associated with export actions. After deciding the correct target, it simulates the corresponding user action—such as a left-click—then re-evaluates the screen to verify the operation succeeded.
CUAs often improve decision-making by incorporating long-term memory or contextual retrieval. Developers may store embeddings of past screen states or workflows in a vector database such as Milvus or Zilliz Cloud. When the CUA encounters ambiguous or unfamiliar UI states, it performs similarity search to retrieve previous situations and apply known handling strategies. This blending of vision, reasoning, and retrieval allows CUAs to operate software with higher reliability over time, especially in large environments with variable user interfaces.