open manus

Run Open Manus on Windows: Installation Guide

Anas Mohammad

Mar 11, 2025 • 3 min read

Open Manus is an open-source alternative to the proprietary Manus AI, designed to automate tasks and enhance productivity using advanced AI capabilities. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know about running Open Manus on a Windows system.

What is Open Manus?

Open Manus is a versatile AI tool that leverages large language models (LLMs) and reinforcement learning to perform complex tasks. It is a community-driven project offering the following key features:

Open-Source Accessibility: Free and open for anyone to use or contribute.
Customizable Configurations: Users can adapt it to their specific needs by configuring API keys and model settings.
Task Automation: Capable of automating workflows such as SEO audits, dynamic app creation, and more.

Unlike its proprietary counterpart, Manus AI, Open Manus is not restricted by accessibility barriers like waitlists, making it an ideal choice for developers and enthusiasts.

System Requirements

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

Operating System: Windows 10 or later.
Python Version: Python 3.9 or higher.
Development Tools:
- Git
- Visual Studio Code (VS Code)
Package Managers:
- Conda (for environment management)
- Pip or UV (for dependency installation)

Step-by-Step Installation Guide

Method 1: Using Conda

This method uses Conda for environment management. Follow these steps:

Install Prerequisites:

Download and install Python (3.9 or higher).
Install Conda from the official website.

Configure API Keys:

Locate the config.py.example file in the repository.
Rename it to config.py and add your API keys for LLMs and vision models.

Run Open Manus: Start the application by executing:

python main.py

Install Dependencies: Navigate to the cloned folder and install required packages:

pip install -r requirements.txt

Clone the Repository: Use Git to clone the Open Manus repository:

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

Create a Conda Environment: Open Command Prompt and run:

conda create -n open_manus python=3.9
conda activate open_manus

Method 2: Using UV (Recommended)

UV is a faster package installer for Python projects.

Configure Settings: Similar to Method 1, update the config.toml file with your API keys.

Run Application: Start Open Manus using either of these commands:

python main.py

Install Dependencies: Use UV to install required packages:

uv pip install -r requirements.txt

Set Up Virtual Environment: Inside the cloned repository folder, create and activate a virtual environment:

uv venv
.venv\Scripts\activate  # For Windows

Install UV: Run the following command in Command Prompt:

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

Configuring Open Manus

Open Manus requires API keys for LLMs (e.g., GPT-4) and vision models. Here's how to configure it:

Create a config.toml file in the config directory.
Add your API keys as follows:

[llm]
model = "gpt-4"
api_key = "your-api-key"
base_url = "https://api.openai.com/v1"
max_tokens = 4096

[vision]
model = "gpt-4-vision"
api_key = "your-api-key"

Save the file and restart the application.

Practical Applications of Open Manus

1. Dynamic Weather App

One of Open Manus' standout features is its ability to create dynamic applications like a weather app with live animations.

Send a prompt instructing Open Manus to generate a weather app.
The app dynamically adjusts visuals based on real-time weather data.
Test different weather conditions (e.g., "rain" or "thunderstorm") to see corresponding animations.

2. SEO Optimization

Leverage Open Manus for comprehensive SEO audits by providing website URLs as input.

3. Custom Workflows

Automate repetitive tasks such as data entry, report generation, or email drafting.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

Dependency Errors: Ensure all dependencies are installed correctly using pip install -r requirements.txt.
Configuration Issues: Double-check your API keys in the config.toml file.
Performance Lag: Use UV for faster dependency management and consider upgrading hardware if necessary.

Conclusion

Running Open Manus on Windows unlocks powerful AI-driven automation capabilities without the restrictions of proprietary platforms like Manus AI. By following this guide, you can set up and explore its full potential for various applications ranging from app development to SEO optimization.