How to Run Open Manus on macOS: Step by Step Installation

Open Manus is an open-source alternative to Manus, designed for seamless integration with modern AI workflows. This guide provides an in-depth explanation of how to set up and run Open Manus on a macOS system.

What is Open Manus?

OpenManus is an open-source AI agent inspired by the capabilities of Manus AI, developed by the MetaGPT community. It aims to provide a free and accessible alternative to Manus AI, allowing users to run AI agents locally with simple configuration to realize various creative ideas.

OpenManus was created in just three hours and released on GitHub, making it freely available to anyone with basic technical skills.

Key Features of OpenManus

Open-Source Flexibility: Users have full control over the code, allowing for customization to fit specific needs.
API-First Design: OpenManus is designed for seamless integration with other tools and services.
Cost-Effective: It is free to use, with no hidden fees or subscriptions.
Community Support: OpenManus benefits from an active community of contributors and plugins.

1. How OpenManus Works

OpenManus uses large language models (LLMs) like GPT-4o to create AI agents capable of executing tasks based on user instructions. Its modular design allows it to adapt to various purposes without being limited to predefined functions.

The system is built with components that process user requests, plan execution, use the right tools and APIs for each step, and deliver results in a coherent manner.

Use Cases

OpenManus can be used for a variety of tasks, including:

Rapid Prototyping: Quickly test ideas that require automating web interactions.
Data Extraction: Collect specific information from multiple websites.
Custom Workflow Automation: Automate repetitive multi-step processes.

Open Manus vs Manus AI

Feature	OpenManus	Manus AI
Cost	Free, open-source	Paid subscriptions
Customization	Fully customizable codebase	Limited to vendor-provided features
APIs	Built for seamless integration	API access often requires premium plans
Community	Active open-source contributors	Vendor-controlled updates
Use Cases	Ideal for developers and tinkerers	Geared toward enterprise users

Key Features

Supports GPT-based LLMs.
Customizable configurations for API keys and model settings.
Lightweight and easy to deploy on macOS.

2. Prerequisites for Installation

Before installing Open Manus, ensure your macOS system meets the following requirements:

System Requirements

macOS 10.15 (Catalina) or later.
Python 3.12 or higher.
Git installed.
Internet connection for downloading dependencies.

Tools Needed

Package manager (conda or uv).
Terminal access.
API key for the LLM you plan to use (e.g., OpenAI).

3. Installation Methods

Open Manus can be installed using two primary methods: Conda or uv. The uv method is recommended for its speed and efficient dependency management.

Method 1: Using Conda

Install Dependencies
Install the required Python packages:

pip install -r requirements.txt

Clone the Repository
Clone the Open Manus GitHub repository:

git clone https://github.com/mannaandpoem/OpenManus.git
cd OpenManus

Create a Conda Environment
Open your terminal and run:

conda create -n open_manus python=3.12
conda activate open_manus

Method 2: Using `uv` (Recommended)

Install Dependencies
Use uv to install dependencies:

uv pip install -r requirements.txt

Create a Virtual Environment
Set up and activate a virtual environment:

uv venv
source .venv/bin/activate # For macOS/Unix systems.

Clone the Repository
Similar to the Conda method:

git clone https://github.com/mannaandpoem/OpenManus.git
cd OpenManus

Install uv
Download and install uv, a fast Python package installer:

curl -LsSf https://astral.sh/uv/install.sh | sh

4. Configuration of Open Manus

After installation, configure Open Manus to connect it with your preferred LLM API.

Steps to Configure

Save and close the file.

Edit the config.toml file using a text editor (e.g., nano, vim, or Visual Studio Code):

[llm]
model = "gpt-4o"
base_url = "https://api.openai.com/v1"
api_key = "sk-..." # Replace with your actual API key.
max_tokens = 4096
temperature = 0.0

[llm.vision]
model = "gpt-4o"
base_url = "https://api.openai.com/v1"
api_key = "sk-..." # Replace with your actual API key.

Copy the example configuration file:

cp config.example.toml config.toml

Navigate to the config directory in the project folder:

cd config

5. Running Open Manus

Once configured, you can start using Open Manus:

Basic Usage

Run the main script from the terminal:

python main.py

You can now interact with Open Manus via terminal prompts.

Advanced Usage

For experimental features, use:

python run_flow.py

6. Troubleshooting Common Issues

Here are solutions to some common problems encountered during installation and usage:

Issue: Dependency Conflicts

Ensure you are using Python 3.12 or higher.
Recreate the virtual environment if necessary.

Issue: API Key Errors

Double-check that your API key is correctly entered in config.toml.
Ensure that your API key has sufficient permissions.

Issue: Browser Integration Problems

If browser commands fail:

Reconfigure browser settings in config.toml.

Ensure Playwright is installed:

playwright install

7. Advanced Features and Use Cases

Advanced Features of OpenManus

OpenManus is an open-source AI agent that replicates many of the capabilities of Manus AI, offering a flexible and powerful tool for developers and researchers. Here are some of its advanced features:

Multi-Agent System: OpenManus supports collaborative AI agents that work together to solve complex tasks. This modular design allows for seamless integration and coordination of multiple agents.
Dockerized Environment: The system is containerized using Docker, making it easy to set up and deploy. This ensures a consistent environment across different machines.
Task Execution: OpenManus can handle a wide range of tasks, including travel planning, data analysis, content generation, and more. It can break down complex tasks into sub-tasks and execute them sequentially.
Tool Integration: It integrates with various tools and APIs, enabling web browsing, code execution, and data retrieval capabilities. This allows OpenManus to interact with external systems and perform real-world tasks.
Modular Design:The modular architecture of OpenManus makes it highly extensible. Developers can easily add new agents, tools, or features to customize the system for their specific needs.
Community-Driven: OpenManus is community-driven, welcoming contributions from developers worldwide. This collaborative approach ensures continuous improvement and innovation.
Instant LLM Switching: OpenManus allows users to switch between different large language models (LLMs) instantly by updating the configuration file. This flexibility enables users to choose the best model for their specific tasks.
Experimentation with New Features: Developers can experiment with cutting-edge functionalities using the python run_flow.py command. This feature allows for rapid prototyping and testing of new ideas.

Contributing to OpenManus

OpenManus is an open-source project, and contributions are welcome. To contribute:

Fork the Repository:

Fork the OpenManus repository on GitHub.

Open a Pull Request:

Submit a pull request to the main repository.

Push to Your Branch:bashCopy

git push origin feature/your-feature

Commit Your Changes:bashCopy

git commit -m "Add your feature"

Create a Feature Branch:bashCopy

git checkout -b feature/your-feature

By leveraging these advanced features and exploring the various use cases, OpenManus offers a powerful and flexible platform for developers and researchers to build and deploy AI-driven solutions.

Conclusion

Setting up Open Manus on macOS is straightforward if you follow this guide step-by-step. Whether you're using it for creative writing or technical tasks, its versatility makes it a valuable tool for leveraging AI on your local machine.