Fast mode
Let a small, fast browser-driving AI finish long web jobs in one go, using your own OpenRouter key. How it works, what it costs, how to set it up, and how it stays safe.
What it is
Normally, when a bot works in a browser, it decides every single click itself. That's careful, but slow for long jobs like filling in a 40-field form or collecting results across 20 pages.
Fast mode hands whole browser jobs to a small, fast AI that's built for driving browsers. The bot says what to do; fast mode does the clicking and typing in one go, and reports back. It also works with desktop apps when Apps, mouse and keyboard is on.
It's available in This PC threads.
What it costs
Fast mode uses your own OpenRouter account. OpenRouter is a service that lets you pay for AI models directly.
- About $0.0002 a step, paid to OpenRouter.
- Your bot itself still runs on Machine, as usual.
- A job is up to 30 steps by default, and at most 80.
Set it up
Open the Fast chip
In a This PC thread, click the Fast chip above the message box.
Get an OpenRouter key
No key yet? Click Get a key. Sign up at OpenRouter, add a little credit,
and create a key. It starts with sk-or-.
Save it
Paste the key and click Save. Machine Desktop checks the key works first. (If your connection fails during the check, you can Save anyway.)
Turn it on
Make sure Use fast mode is on. It's on by default once a key is saved.
Use it
You don't need to do anything different. With fast mode on, bots use it for browser jobs that suit it. Just ask as normal:
Fill in the supplier registration form on this page with the details in company.txt.
Go through all 12 pages of search results and list every product under $50.
The Fast menu shows how much you've used this session, and has:
| Button | What it does |
|---|---|
| Use fast mode | Turn it on or off. |
| Test key | Check the key still works. |
| Replace key | Use a different key. |
| Remove key | Delete the key from this computer. |
On Windows and Mac, fast mode needs Apps, mouse and keyboard on. If it's off, the Fast menu tells you to turn it on in the folder menu.
Safety and privacy
- Your key is encrypted on your computer, never shown again, and only ever sent to OpenRouter.
- The text of the page being worked on is sent to OpenRouter so the fast AI can read it. Password fields never are.
- Irreversible clicks stop. Fast mode stops before any click that can't be undone, like paying, ordering, booking, sending, posting, or deleting, and hands back to the bot. The bot only goes ahead if you clearly asked for that exact thing.
- Stop works the same as always: the Stop button, or Ctrl+Alt+Esc (⌘⇧Esc on Mac). See Safety and stopping.
When to use it
| Use fast mode for | Don't bother for |
|---|---|
| Long forms | A single click or search |
| Collecting data across many pages | Work that's mostly files and commands |
| Repetitive clicking in a web app | Sensitive pages you'd rather the bot handle step by step |