Desktop AI agent for macOS and Windows

Why a desktop AI agent

Most AI tools live in a chat box or a browser tab. They give you answers and ask you to copy results back into the work. A desktop AI agent closes that loop: it reads the file, runs the command, drives the other application, and returns finished work. Lapu AI is built for that loop, with safety gates so the agent never acts beyond its granted scope.

What Lapu AI gives you

• Built-in frontier AI

  No model API keys to manage. Reasoning calls go through Lapu AI infrastructure to the integrated model endpoint.

• Local tools

  File read, write, edit, grep, and shell execution — all running on your hardware with output captured and reasoned about.

• Desktop automation

  Native accessibility APIs on macOS (Swift) and Windows (C#) drive other applications: screenshot, click, type, navigate.

• Permission gating

  Risky actions surface a per-action approval prompt. The agent shows what it plans before any file write or shell command.

• Reusable skills

  Package workflows into skills you can rerun and schedule. Operational repeatability without rewriting a prompt each time.

• Local-first data story

  Files stay on your machine. Only the immediate reasoning context for a single step is sent to the model endpoint.

By type

• Free Desktop AI Agent

  A free desktop AI agent for macOS and Windows. Lapu AI ships frontier models, file and shell tools, and permission gates — no credit card required.

• Local Desktop AI Agent

  A local-first desktop AI agent for macOS and Windows. Your files stay on your machine; Lapu AI uses permission-based local tools with frontier AI.

• How to Choose the Best Desktop AI Agent

  How to choose the best desktop AI agent in 2026. A decision framework covering local execution, permissions, model access, platform support, and pricing.

By role

• Desktop AI Agent for Developers

  A desktop AI agent for developers. Lapu AI runs locally with shell, grep, file edit, and desktop automation on macOS and Windows.

• Desktop AI Agent for Data Analysts

  A desktop AI agent for data analysts. Process CSVs, run scripts, and automate spreadsheet workflows on macOS or Windows — files stay local.

• Desktop AI Agent for Operations Teams

  A desktop AI agent for ops, IT, and BizOps. Lapu AI automates desktop work across files, shell, and apps — with permission gates and reusable skills.

• Desktop AI Agent for Writers and Researchers

  A desktop AI agent for writers. Lapu AI organizes notes, drafts long-form from local files, and automates research on macOS and Windows.

• Desktop AI Agent for Designers

  A desktop AI agent for designers. Lapu AI organizes assets, drives Figma via accessibility APIs, and automates handoff on macOS and Windows.

By capability

• AI Agent That Runs Terminal Commands

  An AI agent that runs terminal commands on your machine — bash, zsh, PowerShell. Lapu AI captures stdout/stderr and gates execution behind per-action approvals.

• AI Agent That Reads and Edits Files

  An AI agent that reads, edits, and writes files on macOS and Windows. Lapu AI ships local file tools with per-action approvals and an audit trail.

Explore further

• Desktop AI — the category overview
• Lapu AI for macOS
• Lapu AI for Windows
• Use cases
• Compare with alternatives
• Pricing
• Blog

Frequently asked questions

What is a desktop AI agent?

A desktop AI agent is a native application that combines a frontier AI model with direct access to local tools — files, shell, and desktop automation — so it can execute multi-step work on your machine rather than only answering questions.

How is a desktop AI agent different from a chat assistant?

Chat assistants give you answers. A desktop AI agent acts. It reads files, runs commands, drives other applications, and completes multi-step tasks on your computer — pausing for your approval before risky steps.

Which platforms does Lapu AI support?

Lapu AI runs natively on macOS 12 Monterey or later (Apple Silicon) and Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit). Both builds share the same agent loop, tool set, and permission model.

Is my data sent to the cloud?

Files and workspace data stay on your machine. There is no Lapu AI cloud workspace. When the agent needs to reason about a step, only the immediate context is sent to the integrated model endpoint via Lapu AI infrastructure.

Is there a free tier?

Yes. Lapu AI's Free tier is available without a credit card and includes the desktop application, built-in frontier AI within a monthly usage allowance, local tools, and reusable skills.

How is a desktop AI agent different from a cloud or browser agent?

A desktop AI agent runs natively on your own macOS or Windows machine and acts on the real files, shell, and applications already there. Cloud and browser agents — and containerized agents that spin up a remote Linux desktop — run on a server you do not control and have to be handed your data first. The native-desktop model keeps execution and files local and gates risky actions behind your approval. That is the model Lapu AI uses.