Frequently asked questions

Can't find your question here? Try Troubleshooting, or start with How Machine works if you're new.

Getting started

What is Machine Desktop?

It's an app for Windows and Mac where you chat with bots: AI helpers that actually do the work, not just answer questions. Every bot has its own computer, where it opens files, runs programs, and saves results. See the overview.

How is this different from a normal AI chat?

A normal AI chat only writes replies. A Machine bot works on a real computer in the cloud, so it can create files, run programs, browse the web, and build websites. You can look inside that computer and stop the bot at any time. See How Machine works.

Can I create an account in the app?

No. Create your Machine account on the Machine web app first, then sign in to Machine Desktop with it. See Install.

Which computers can run Machine Desktop?

Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit), or a Mac with macOS 12 Monterey or later, on Apple silicon or an Intel processor. You also need an internet connection. See Install.

Windows says "Windows protected your PC". What do I do?

Click More info, then Run anyway. The installer then runs by itself, and you don't need to be an administrator. See Install.

I didn't get the sign-in code. What now?

Wait a minute, check your spam or junk folder, then click Send a new code. Make sure you typed the email you signed up with. Each code works once and expires after an hour. See Sign in.

Do I have to sign in every time I open the app?

No. You stay signed in, even after a restart. Your sign-in is kept in your computer's secure keychain. See Sign in.

Can I use Machine Desktop on more than one computer?

Yes. Install it and sign in on each one. Your bots and conversations are the same everywhere, and so are your group chats, teams, and sidebar choices. A few app settings, like the skin, are saved per computer. See Install.

Does the app work offline?

No. Bots run on Machine's computers, so you need a connection. If you go offline, you stay signed in and can carry on when you're back. See Install.

Does closing the window quit the app?

Not always. On Windows it hides in the system tray, and on Mac it stays in the Dock, so bots can still notify you. To quit, right-click the tray icon and choose Quit, or press ⌘Q on Mac. See The app window.

How do I update the app?

Machine Desktop checks for updates by itself and shows a card when one is ready. Click Download, then Restart to update. It never downloads anything without asking you. See Updates.

Can I see the welcome tour again?

Yes. Open Settings → General → Welcome tour and choose Replay app tour or Replay welcome tour. See Welcome tour.

What's the difference between Machine Desktop and the web app?

They use the same account, so bots and conversations you create in one appear in the other. A few things are web-only: creating an account, buying credits, connecting your own Claude or Cursor plan, managing your team, and deleting your account. The desktop app opens the right web page for you. See the overview.

Will uninstalling delete my bots?

No. Your bots and conversations live on Machine, and they're still there when you sign in again. See Install.

Bots and threads

What's the difference between a bot and a thread?

A bot is an AI helper with a job and its own instructions. A thread is one conversation with that bot about one piece of work, with its own history, files, and computer. See How Machine works.

Why does the button to make a bot say "New Project"?

On Machine, every bot is a project. "Bot" and "project" mean the same thing in the desktop app, and the web app calls your bots projects. Your bots are listed under Bots in the sidebar. See How Machine works.

How do I make a new bot?

Click + at the top of the sidebar and choose New Project, or press Ctrl+N (⌘N on Mac). Pick a starting point, like Blank bot or Researcher, and wait a minute or two while Machine sets it up. See Create a bot.

How many bots can I have?

As many as you like. You pay for the work bots do and for their computers while they're awake. See Create a bot.

Should I make a new bot or a new thread?

Make a new thread for a new task of the same kind. Make a new bot when you need a different kind of helper, or want skills, apps, secrets, or memory kept separate. See Threads and folders.

How do I tell a bot how to work without repeating myself?

Write it in the bot's Soul, its standing instructions. The bot reads it at the start of every conversation. Not sure what to write? Send the bot /setup and it interviews you. See Soul.

Does a bot remember what I said in other threads?

No. Each thread is separate. A bot carries over only its Soul, its skills, and its memory notes. To reuse something, paste in the important part, or download the file and attach it. See Skills and memory.

Can I move a thread to a different bot?

No. Start a thread with the other bot and give it what it needs: paste in the important part, or download files from the first thread's computer and attach them. See Threads and folders.

I made a bot on the web. Where is it?

In the sidebar under Bots. If you don't see it, click Refresh threads at the top of the sidebar. See The sidebar.

What do the colored dots on a bot's avatar mean?

Green means ready, blue and pulsing means working, and red means the last turn failed. Open the thread to see why. The red dot clears when you send another message. See The sidebar.

What's the difference between Archive and Remove from Machine?

Archive only hides the bot from your sidebar, in Machine Desktop and the phone app, and you can restore it. Remove from Machine permanently deletes the bot, its conversations, files, memory, and computers everywhere. See Archive or remove.

What happens when I delete a thread?

Its conversation and its computer are deleted, including every file on that computer. This can't be undone, so download anything you want first. Websites you deployed from it stay online. See Threads and folders.

How do bots take turns in a group chat?

They answer one at a time, never at once. Before each turn, a bot catches up on what the others said. Type @ and a name to choose who answers. A bot can also bring in another member by @mentioning it. See Group chats.

Do my group chats show on my other devices?

Yes. Your group chats and teams appear in Machine Desktop on each of your computers and in the Machine phone app, usually within a few minutes. To fetch them straight away, click Refresh threads at the top of the sidebar. They don't appear on the Machine website. See Group chats.

Does a group chat keep going when I close my laptop?

Where Machine offers it, yes: Machine runs the bots' turns on its own servers, so the conversation carries on and you see where it got to next time you open the app. Otherwise, and for messages with attached files, Machine Desktop runs the turns itself, so keep the app open until the bots finish. See Group chats.

What is a recipe?

A ready-made team of bots for a job, with roles, skills, and group chats already set up. To keep you in control, a new team's skills start off, its routines start paused, and its apps aren't connected. See Bot recipes.

Chatting

How do I write a good request?

Be specific about what you want back and in what form. Give context, attach the files it needs, and ask for a file when you want to keep the result. See Writing good requests.

Can I send a message while the bot is still working?

Yes. The message box shows that it will send when the current turn finishes, and the bot picks it up then. See Sending messages.

How do I stop a bot?

Click the red Stop button in the chat header or the square in the message box. Or send a message that just says stop, cancel, or abort. The thread, its files, and its computer are kept. See Sending messages.

What files can I attach, and how big can they be?

Images up to 10 MB, documents and audio up to 25 MB, and video up to 100 MB each. Every file is copied onto the bot's computer. See Attachments.

Why are some images hidden until I click "Load image"?

Images from the web in a bot's reply stay hidden until you click Load image. This stops a website from knowing you opened the thread. See Attachments.

Can I fix a message I already sent?

Yes. With the message box empty, press ↑ to edit your last message, or choose Edit message from a message's menu. The bot's later replies are replaced by a new one. See Message actions.

Can I delete a single message?

No. You can edit your last messages, which replaces what came after them, or start a new thread. See Message actions.

What's the difference between Dictate and a voice message?

Dictate turns your speech into text in the message box, so you can check it before sending. A voice message sends the recording itself, with a written transcript, up to 5 minutes long. See Voice.

How do I search my conversations?

Press Ctrl+F (⌘F) to search the chat you're in. Press Ctrl+K (⌘K) to search every bot and conversation, or type two or more letters in the sidebar's Search box to see matching Messages under the bot list. See Find, share, and export.

How do I save a copy of a conversation?

Click the Export conversation icon in the chat header, then Copy as Markdown or Download as .md. See Find, share, and export.

Models and cost

What is a model, and which one should I pick?

A model is the AI that does the bot's thinking, like Claude, GPT, or Gemini. If you're not sure, keep the bot's default. Use a smaller model for quick jobs and a more capable one for hard problems. See Choosing a model.

Can I change the model in the middle of a thread?

Yes. Click the model chip in the chat header. The new model picks up the conversation from where it is. If the bot is working, stop it or wait first. See Choosing a model.

Can I use my own Claude or Cursor subscription?

Yes. Connect it on the Machine web app, and its models appear in the model list in Machine Desktop. For Claude, you also sign in to Claude for the thread's session on the web. See Your own subscriptions.

Why won't my subscription model work in a teammate's thread?

A subscription model runs on your personal plan, so it only works in threads you started. Start your own thread instead. See Your own subscriptions.

What is reasoning effort?

Some models can think longer before answering. More effort usually means better answers on hard problems, but it is slower and costs more. Use the four-bar button in the message box. See Reasoning effort.

What am I paying for?

Your balance goes down when a model does work and when a bot's computer is awake. A sleeping computer costs nothing to run. See Usage and billing.

How do I add credits?

Click Add credits in Settings → Usage, or click your balance at the bottom of the sidebar. Payment happens on the web. Payments are never taken in the app. See Usage and billing.

How do I see what I've spent?

Open Settings → Usage. History shows the full record, grouped by bot, model, person, day, or engine, and you can export it as CSV. Each thread's cost is also in the usage chip in the chat header. See Usage and billing.

How can I spend less?

Start a new thread for each new task, stop computers you aren't using, and use a smaller model for simple jobs. See Cost and sleep.

Why is my long thread getting slow and expensive?

The model re-reads the whole thread on every message. When the usage chip turns amber or red, use Export conversation → Compact this thread, or start a new thread. See Find, share, and export.

Should I use "Ask for approval" or "Approve for me"?

Ask for approval makes the bot stop and ask before it runs a command or changes a file. Approve for me lets it keep going, but it still asks before anything is sent or deleted. While you're learning, keep Ask for approval on. See Approvals.

The bot's computer

What is the bot's computer?

A real computer in the cloud that Machine runs for you. Every thread gets its own, and everything the bot makes for that thread is saved there. See The bot's computer.

Can the bot's computer see the files on my computer?

No. It's a separate computer in the cloud. It only has files you attach or that the bot downloads. To let a bot work with your own files, use This PC. See The bot's computer.

Does a sleeping computer lose my files?

No. Files are kept while it sleeps. Only deleting the thread removes them. See Cost and sleep.

Do I need to turn computers off myself?

No. They go to sleep on their own when a thread has been quiet for a while. Stopping one yourself just saves a bit more. See Cost and sleep.

How do I get a file the bot made?

Click the monitor icon in the chat header, find the file on the Computer tab, and click Download. Files the bot mentions also appear as chips in the chat with a Save a copy button. See Files.

How do I see a website the bot built?

Open the bot's computer and go to the Browser tab. Click a Running chip, or type the address the bot gave you, like localhost:3000. See Preview and terminal.

Can I install software on the bot's computer?

Yes. Ask the bot, for example "install ffmpeg", or use the Terminal tab. It's only installed on that thread's computer. See Preview and terminal.

Can I get to the bot's computer from my phone?

Yes. In the phone app, open the chat's … menu and choose Bot's computer. See The bot's computer.

This PC and your browser

What is This PC?

A setting that lets a bot work on your own computer: your files, your programs, and, if you allow it, your screen, mouse, and keyboard. You switch it on per thread, from the Cloud chip above the message box. See This PC.

Does This PC work on Windows and Mac?

Yes. Files, commands, the Machine browser, and using apps, the mouse, and the keyboard all work on Windows and Mac. See This PC.

Can a bot use my computer when I'm not there?

Only while Machine Desktop is running and the thread is set to This PC. If you quit the app, the bot can't reach your computer. See This PC.

Can a bot see my whole screen?

When Apps, mouse and keyboard is on and the bot is using it, yes. Your screen glows purple whenever that's happening. Turn the setting off to limit the bot to files and commands. See Safety and stopping.

How do I stop a bot on my computer right now?

Press Ctrl+Alt+Esc (Windows) or ⌘⇧Esc (Mac) from any app. That stops everything any bot is doing on this computer. See Safety and stopping.

Why is my screen glowing purple?

A bot is using your screen. The edges glow purple and a banner says Machine controlling this screen. Click Stop on the banner to end it. See Safety and stopping.

Can I use This PC from the web or my phone?

You can start or continue a This PC thread from anywhere, but the work happens on the computer running Machine Desktop, and permission requests appear there. See This PC.

My Mac bot can't see the screen or click. Why?

macOS needs you to allow Screen Recording and Accessibility for Machine Desktop in System Settings. Then quit and reopen the app. See Mac permissions.

Can a bot use my own Chrome, where I'm already signed in?

Yes, with the Machine extension. Add it from the folder menu in a This PC thread, keep Chrome open, and say "use my browser" in your message. See Use your own Chrome.

Why does Chrome say it "started debugging this browser"?

That's normal. It's how the extension controls the tab while a bot works in it. Click Cancel on that bar to take your browser back. See Use your own Chrome.

What is fast mode, and does This PC cost extra?

The bot's turns cost the same as usual on This PC. Fast mode is optional: it hands long web jobs to a small, fast AI on your own OpenRouter account, for about $0.0002 a step paid to OpenRouter. See Fast mode.

Automations and deployments

What is an automation?

An automation, also called a routine, asks a bot to do something at a set time or on a schedule, like a news summary every weekday morning. See Automations.

Do automations run when my computer is off?

Yes. Routines run in the cloud on the bot's own computer, so they run even when your computer is asleep or off. See Automations.

How do I create a routine?

Open Tools → Automations and click New → Scheduled task. Give it a title, a bot, and instructions, and choose how often it repeats. See Create a routine.

Where do I find what a routine did?

Each run starts a fresh thread with the bot, so open the bot to read what it did. Run logs shows each run's status. See Manage routines.

What does the red dot on Automations mean?

A run failed or was missed since you last looked. See Automations.

How do I put a website the bot built on the internet?

Ask the bot, for example "Deploy the site folder", or open the bot's computer and click Deploy on the folder. You get a Live: link. See Deployments.

What's the difference between sharing a site and deploying it?

Share the site in Export conversation makes a public link to a website running on the bot's computer. A deployment puts it online permanently, with its own link. See Deployments.

Can I use my own domain for a deployment?

Yes. Click Edit on the deployment and add it under Custom domains. Point the domain's DNS at the deployment before it goes live. See Deployments.

Apps and secrets

How do I let a bot use Gmail, GitHub, or Notion?

Open Tools → Connected apps, click Connect on the app, and sign in and approve access in your browser. Your bots can use every app connected to your project. See Connected apps.

Can people talk to a bot in Slack?

Yes. Open Bot settings → Channels and click Connect next to Slack. See Channels.

Where do I put an API key a bot needs?

In Bot settings → Secrets, not in the chat. Secrets never appear in the transcript. See Secrets and webhooks.

Can I see a secret's value after I save it?

No. A secret's value is shown once, never again, and nobody can read it back, including you. See Secrets and webhooks.

Settings and devices

Where are the settings?

Click your name at the bottom of the sidebar and choose Settings. On a Mac you can also press ⌘,. See General settings.

Do my settings follow me to other computers?

Your bots, their instructions, and all threads and messages are the same everywhere. Your group chats, teams, and each bot's sidebar settings (color, look, title, pin, archive, folders, notifications, voice, and approval level) also follow you to your other computers and the Machine phone app. App settings in Settings, like the skin and language, custom avatar pictures, and each bot's What needs your OK rules stay on the computer where you set them. See General settings.

How do I change how the app looks?

Open Settings → Appearance and pick a skin, like Midnight or Daylight. It applies straight away. See Appearance.

Can I turn off notifications for one bot?

Yes. Open the bot's settings and turn off Alerts → Notifications. See Notifications.

Which languages does the app support?

English, Deutsch, Español, Français, हिन्दी, 日本語, Português (Brasil), 简体中文, 繁體中文（台灣）, and Українська. Some parts are still English in every language. See Languages.

Is there a phone app?

Yes. Machine Mobile is on Google Play for Android and in a TestFlight beta for iPhone and iPad. It uses the same account, so there is no pairing step. See Mobile apps.

What are the most useful keyboard shortcuts?

Ctrl+K (⌘K) searches everything, Ctrl+N (⌘N) makes a new bot, and Ctrl+Alt+Space (⌃⌥Space) opens the quick switcher from any app. Press ? when you aren't typing to see the full list. See Keyboard shortcuts.

How do I sign out?

Click your name at the bottom of the sidebar and choose Sign out. See Sign in.

How do I delete my account?

Open Settings → General → Account and click Delete account. It opens your profile on the web, where you can delete it. See General settings.

Troubleshooting

A bot seems stuck. What do I do?

Click Stop first. If it's still stuck, click Kick in the chat header, or right-click the bot and choose Kick. If that doesn't help, open the bot's computer and click Restart. Files are kept. See Troubleshooting.

A bot's message starts with ⚠. What does that mean?

Machine couldn't do what you asked, and the message says why. To try again, use Regenerate response, or edit and resend your message. See Troubleshooting.

The app says "Machine is unreachable right now". What now?

Check your internet connection, then click Try again. You stay signed in while offline. See Troubleshooting.

A thread I started on the web doesn't show up. Why?

Click Refresh threads at the top of the sidebar. See Troubleshooting.

Dictation doesn't work. What can I try?

Check Settings → General → Microphone and click Test. Make sure your system lets Machine Desktop use the microphone. Or switch Dictation engine to Whisper on Machine (cloud). See Troubleshooting.

How do I contact support?

Open Settings → General → Diagnostics and click Export Diagnostics…. Send the file to Machine support with what you were doing. For a problem in one thread, include its ID from Copy conversation ID. See Troubleshooting.