Machine
Setup guide

Get started withthe latest updates.

Step-by-step instructions for each update, using the labels shown in the app. Go directly to a feature, or work through the guide in order.
Browse featuresAll updates

Updated October 9, 2026

01Apps

Install the apps.

Every app uses the same Machine account. Sign in and your bots and Threads are already there.

Machine Desktop

Windows & macOS

A native app for Windows and macOS with This PC, Live, group chats and a system-wide quick switcher. Updates are delivered automatically and installed only with your approval.

Requirements

Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit), or a Mac with Apple silicon or Intel, and a Machine account created on the web.

DownloadDocumentation
  1. 1

    Go to /download. The page detects your system and offers Download for Windows or Download for macOS.

  2. 2

    Windows: run Machine-Desktop-Setup.exe. It installs for your user account and does not require admin rights. If SmartScreen appears, select More info → Run anyway.

  3. 3

    macOS: open the .dmg and drag Machine into Applications.

  4. 4

    On Sign in to Machine Desktop, enter your email, select Send code, enter the code from the email and select Sign in. To use a password, select Sign in with a password instead.

  5. 5

    When an update is available, a card appears in the bottom-left corner: select Download, then Restart to update. If you choose Later, it installs when you quit.

  6. To check for updates manually, select your name → Check for updates, or open Settings → General → Updates.

  7. Machine Desktop with a bot’s research report open in a Thread

Machine for Android, iPhone and iPad

Google Play · TestFlight

Chat with your bots, start Threads, respond to approvals and questions, attach files and place Live calls. Android supports sharing from any app; iPad uses the full desktop layout.

Requirements

Android 7 or later, or iOS 15 or later.

Get it on Google PlayDocumentation
  1. 1

    Android: open Machine on Google Play and select Install.

  2. 2

    iPhone or iPad: open the TestFlight invitation, install TestFlight if prompted, then select Accept and Install.

  3. 3

    Sign in with an email code or your password. No pairing is required.

  4. 4

    From Machine Desktop, select your name → Mobile App to open both links.

  5. On Android, use Share → Machine in any app to send a file or link to a bot.

  6. Machine on a phone, showing a bot’s reply in a Thread

Chrome extension

Chrome Web Store

Allows a bot working on This PC to operate your own Chrome browser, including your open tabs and existing sign-ins. It is used only when you explicitly ask for your browser.

Requirements

Chrome 125 or later (Edge and Brave are also supported) and Machine Desktop.

Add to ChromeDocumentation
  1. 1

    In a This PC Thread, open the folder menu → Your Chrome → Add to Chrome.

  2. 2

    On the Chrome Web Store page, select Add to Chrome, then Add extension.

  3. 3

    Ask for it explicitly, for example “use my browser”, “use my Chrome” or “use my tabs”.

  4. 4

    To end access, select Stop — release all tabs, or Cancel on Chrome’s debugging bar.

  5. The Chrome extension while Machine works in a tab

Machine CLI

Windows, macOS & Linux

Manage Machine from your terminal: one-line installation, signed builds with built-in updates, and mach_pat_ API keys created on the web.

  1. 1

    macOS or Linux: run curl -fsSL https://themachine.myapps.ai/install | bash.

  2. 2

    Windows (PowerShell): run irm https://themachine.myapps.ai/install.ps1 | iex.

  3. 3

    Open a new terminal and run machine login to sign in through your browser.

  4. 4

    Run machine update to install the latest version.

  5. 5

    For scripts and CI jobs, create a key on the web under Settings → API keys. New keys begin with mach_pat_.

02Computer use and voice

Computer use, Live and group chats.

Setup, permissions, and how to stop a bot at any time.

This PC computer use

Machine Desktop

Assign a Thread to your own computer and the bot works within the folder you share, using your applications, mouse and keyboard. A purple border shows when it is in control; on Windows it uses its own cursor and returns yours after each action.

Requirements

Machine Desktop. On macOS, two system permissions, which the app guides you through.

Documentation
  1. 1

    Above the message box, select the Cloud chip and choose This PC. If the bot is responding, stop it first.

  2. 2

    Review the consent message and confirm.

  3. 3

    Select Choose a folder Machine can work in, then Share this folder.

  4. 4

    Use the folder menu to set permissions: Apps, mouse and keyboard (on by default), Ask before each action (off by default), plus Browser, Editor, Terminal and Your Chrome.

  5. 5

    When the bot needs additional access, Machine comes to the front and asks you to Allow or Deny.

  6. 6

    To stop the bot, select Stop, send “stop”, press Ctrl+Alt+Esc (⌘⇧Esc on macOS) from any application, or select Stop on the Machine controlling this screen banner.

  7. This PC is set per Thread. Your other Threads continue to use the cloud computer.

  8. The This PC folder menu with app, browser and Chrome permissions

Saved sign-ins

Machine Desktop

Sign in to a website once and every This PC Thread starts authenticated. You enter the password yourself; it remains on your computer and is never visible to the bot.

Documentation
  1. 1

    In a This PC Thread, open the folder menu and locate Saved sign-ins.

  2. 2

    Select Sign in. A separate Machine browser window opens.

  3. 3

    Sign in to the website, then close the window to save the session.

  4. 4

    Use Add for additional sites, Show to reopen the window, and Clear to remove all saved sign-ins.

  5. Fast mode, for quicker on-screen actions, uses your own OpenRouter key: select the Fast chip → Get a key, paste the key and select Save.

Live view

Machine Desktop

A visual workspace for the bot’s cloud computer that replays each step across browser, file, code and terminal windows. Upload files by dropping them in, open media and documents, and message the bot without leaving the view.

Documentation
  1. 1

    In a Thread, select the monitor icon in the header, then the Live tab. You can also select Replay on a run card.

  2. 2

    Select any step on the timeline to replay it.

  3. 3

    Drop a file anywhere on the desktop to upload it to Uploads, or into a specific File Manager folder.

  4. 4

    Open video, audio, PDF, image, spreadsheet, presentation or document files in their own windows.

  5. 5

    Use the Message box at the bottom to message the bot without leaving Live.

  6. Select the bot’s mascot and ask what it is working on for a status summary.

Live voice calls

Web, desktop & mobile

Speak with your bot in real time. It responds by voice, can be interrupted at any point, and the full transcript is saved to the Thread when the call ends so work continues from there.

Requirements

A Glyph API key (beginning glk_), created in Glyph under Settings → Developer API. Connect it once per bot.

  1. 1

    On the web, open Settings → Channels → Glyph, select Connect Glyph and paste the key. In Machine Desktop, use Bot settings → Channels → Glyph → Connect. If no key is connected, the call screen prompts for one.

  2. 2

    On web or desktop, select Live in the Thread header. On mobile, tap the round button beside the message box and allow microphone access.

  3. 3

    To interrupt the bot, tap the mascot or select Stop. Select End call (or press Esc) to hang up.

  4. 4

    To keep working during a call, select Minimize on the web, or Shrink the call on mobile.

  5. 5

    When the call ends, the Thread shows Live call with … and the full transcript. On desktop you can Open transcript, Copy transcript or Call again.

  6. Under Glyph → Manage → Live calls, choose the voice, language, Hands-free or Hold to talk, response timing, and a room setting for noisy environments or laptop speakers.

Group chats

Machine Desktop

Several bots in a single conversation, responding in turn. Mention a bot with @ to direct a request to it, or use @everyone to address the whole group.

Documentation
  1. 1

    In the sidebar, select + → New group chat, name it, choose the bots and select Create group chat.

  2. 2

    When you first open it, choose a Default responder and enter Group instructions, then select Save & continue (or Skip for now).

  3. 3

    Choose who responds from the header: Everyone responds, Only when mentioned, or a lead bot.

  4. 4

    Use @name to address one bot, several names to set the order, or @everyone for all. Stop halts the current response and clears the queue.

  5. 5

    To add or remove bots, select + in the header → Manage members.

  6. Group chats are stored on the computer where they were created. This PC is available in one-to-one Threads only.

  7. A group chat where three bots report on a website launch
03Oversight and routines

Approvals, responsibilities and recipes.

Define the rules once, then hand over recurring work.

Approval rules

Machine Desktop

Define once what each bot may do without asking. Set Ask, Allow or Block for sending, deleting, file changes, commands, web access and This PC, and review pending requests in a single inbox.

Documentation
  1. 1

    Open Bot settings → Access → What needs your OK.

  2. 2

    Set each category to Ask, Allow or Block: Send or post, Delete, Change files, Run commands, Open the web, Use This PC, Change its own setup, and Everything else.

  3. 3

    To override for a single Thread, use the approval chip beside the attachment button: Ask for approval or Approve for me.

  4. 4

    When several requests are waiting, select Allow all, or review them individually with Allow once and Deny.

  5. 5

    The activity icon in the sidebar shows Needs you with a count of pending requests.

  6. An approval request with Allow once, Deny and Cancel turn

Responsibilities

Machine Desktop

Assign a bot ongoing duties, such as monitoring your inbox or preparing your day, and choose how often it reports back. Its schedules and webhooks are managed on the same page.

Documentation
  1. 1

    Open Tools → Responsibilities, or select a bot’s mascot at the top of a chat → Responsibilities.

  2. 2

    Add a goal, or start from a suggestion such as Watch my inbox, Prep my day or Weekly review.

  3. 3

    Choose Check in daily, Weekly or No check-in. Add + text me or + Slack me to receive updates outside the app.

  4. 4

    The On a schedule and When something happens sections list the bot’s automations; select Open Automations to edit them.

Today

Machine Desktop

A single daily overview: a briefing from the bot of your choice, items awaiting your input, work in progress, upcoming tasks and completed work.

  1. 1

    Open Tools → Today.

  2. 2

    Under Your brief, choose which bot prepares it and select Get my brief.

  3. 3

    Review Needs you, Working now, Later today and Done today.

  4. The onboarding tour now includes Meet your teammate, and your answers are saved to the bot’s instructions. You can replay it from Settings → General.

Bot Recipes

Web & Machine Desktop

45 prebuilt bots and teams, from a daily briefing to complete founder operations, added to Machine Desktop in one click.

Requirements

Machine Desktop 0.1.38 or later.

Browse recipesDocumentation
  1. 1

    Browse /recipes on the web and select Add to Machine Desktop, or in the app select + → Recipes → Explore.

  2. 2

    Review the preview, then select Add team.

  3. 3

    Enable the skills you want, connect the required apps and resume the routines. All three are disabled by default so you can review them first.

  4. A Bot Recipe preview with three team members and Add team

Approve actions without leaving the chat

Web

When a bot asks to use a connected app, the request opens right in the conversation with the details it wants to send. Approve or deny in place, and the card keeps a record of your answer.

  1. 1

    When a bot needs your approval, an approval card appears in the conversation.

  2. 2

    Expand the card to review what the bot wants to do.

  3. 3

    Select Approve or Deny. The card then shows Approved or Denied.

Choose who sees automated sessions

Web · Schedules

Sessions started by a schedule or trigger can now be limited to the right people instead of the whole project.

  1. 1

    When creating a schedule or trigger, find Session access.

  2. 2

    Choose Trigger agent and project managers, Selected teammates or Whole project.

04Models

Connect a subscription.

Subscriptions are connected on the web and appear in the model picker in every app.

Claude subscriptions

Web & all apps

Run a bot on your existing Claude plan. Subscription models appear in the model picker labeled (Subscription), with no model charges from Machine.

Requirements

A Claude Pro or Max plan.

Documentation
  1. 1

    On the web, open the bot’s Settings → Models → API keys, locate the Anthropic row and select Connect Claude subscription.

  2. 2

    Select Open Anthropic sign-in, approve access, paste the code and select Submit code.

  3. 3

    In a session, sign in to the workspace when prompted.

  4. 4

    In any app, open the model picker and choose a model ending in (Subscription), such as Claude Opus (Subscription).

  5. Subscription models are available in Threads you started. If they are missing, select ↻ in the model list. ChatGPT Plus and Pro connect the same way, from the OpenAI row or Settings → Connected accounts → ChatGPT.

  6. The model picker listing Claude subscription and Cursor models

Cursor plans

Web & all apps

Use the models included in your Cursor plan inside Machine, or let Cursor select one with Auto.

Requirements

A Cursor plan.

Documentation
  1. 1

    On the web, open Settings → Models → API keys and select Sign in with Cursor, or Paste a key from your Cursor dashboard and select Connect.

  2. 2

    Open the model picker and choose a model labeled via Cursor, or Auto via Cursor.

  3. The model picker listing Claude subscription and Cursor models

Claude 5.5, GPT-6 Sol and 13 more models

All apps

Claude Opus 5.5, Sonnet 5.5 and Haiku 5.5; GPT-6 Sol and Luna with their Pro versions; GPT-6.1 Sol and Sol Pro; Grok 4.7, Mistral Large 4, GLM 5.3 FlashX, and MiMo V2.6 Pro and Flash. Each model was tested against our tool-use requirements before release.

Documentation
  1. 1

    Open the model picker above the message box and choose a model.

  2. 2

    For models that support it, use the reasoning effort control beside the picker to adjust depth.

  3. The model picker with suggested models

GPT-6 Astra, Claude Fable 5.1 and a new default

All apps

GPT-6 Astra and Astra Pro, Gemini 3.8 Flash, Claude Fable 5.1 and Muse Spark 1.3 joined the lineup, and Claude Haiku 4.5 became the default for bots that have no model set.

Documentation
  1. 1

    Open the model picker above the message box and search for the model by name.

  2. 2

    To change a bot’s default, choose Thread + bot default at the top of the picker before selecting the model.

Claude Opus 5, Gemini 3.7 Flash and 6 more models

All apps

Claude Opus 5, Gemini 3.7 Flash, GLM 5.3 and GLM 5.3 Flash, Grok 4.6, DeepSeek V4 Pro 0813, MiniMax M3 and Muse Spark 1.2. Every row in the model picker now shows its rating and price.

Documentation
  1. 1

    Open the model picker above the message box and choose a model. Ratings and price badges appear on each row.

05Integrations

Set up integrations.

Each integration uses your own account and takes a few minutes to connect.

Inkbox for iMessage, SMS, email and calls

Web · Channels

Reach your bot by text message, email or phone call through your own Inkbox account. Only the phone numbers and email addresses you approve can contact it.

Requirements

An Inkbox account and an API key from Inkbox Console → API Keys. Machine does not provide phone numbers.

Documentation
  1. 1

    On the web, open the bot’s Settings → Channels, locate the Inkbox card and select Connect Inkbox.

  2. 2

    Paste the API key, then list the phone numbers and email addresses permitted to contact the bot, one per line. If no phone numbers are listed, iMessage, SMS and calls remain off. If the key can see several Inkbox agents, choose which one the bot should be and select Connect Inkbox again.

  3. 3

    Select Manage to choose the agent and model that respond. Without a number of its own, Manage shows No phone number needed: iMessage, calls and email work through Inkbox’s shared iMessage line, and the QR code opens the connect @handle text ready to send. If you add a number to the agent in the Inkbox Console, Manage shows it with a QR code to text it.

  4. 4

    Text connect @handle or scan the QR code to begin. Text /new at any time to start a new session.

  5. In the US, text START once before SMS replies can be delivered.

Pixio media generation

Web · Connectors

The first connector in the Made by Machine collection. Generate images, video and audio through Pixio using your own API key.

Requirements

A Pixio API key (beginning pxio_live_), available under Pixio → Integrations.

Documentation
  1. 1

    On the web, open the bot’s Connectors page → Discovery tab, and locate Pixio under Made by Machine.

  2. 2

    Paste your key and select Connect Pixio. The card then shows your plan and remaining credits.

  3. 3

    Describe what you need, for example a short product video from a photo, a music track, a voice-over or a sound effect.

  4. The bot quotes the cost before generating and asks for confirmation on larger jobs. Results are saved to the bot’s media/ folder.

06Improvements

Everyday improvements.

Where to find each one.

Instant conversation history

Web & all apps

Conversations with an idle bot now load immediately from saved history while its computer starts in the background.

  1. 1

    No setup is required. Open any existing Thread.

Password sign-in

Web & all apps

Password sign-in is now available alongside one-time email codes, on every app.

  1. 1

    On the web, open Settings → Profile and select Set password on the Password row.

  2. 2

    On any sign-in screen, select Sign in with a password instead.

Terminal, Deployments and Marketplace

Machine Desktop

A live shell in the bot’s workspace, alongside Files and Preview. Deployments and the Marketplace are now available under Tools.

Documentation
  1. 1

    Select the monitor icon in the Thread header, then the Terminal tab.

  2. 2

    Select New to open another shell, or Reconnect if the connection drops.

  3. 3

    Manage published sites under Tools → Deployments, and add skills from Tools → Marketplace.

Dictation, voice messages and meeting notes

Machine Desktop

Dictate messages, send voice messages, or record a meeting and receive a transcript with notes.

Documentation
  1. 1

    Select the microphone icon to dictate into the message box.

  2. 2

    Select the sound-wave icon, or press Ctrl+Shift+D, to record a voice message of up to five minutes.

  3. 3

    Select Record a meeting to transcribe a meeting and generate notes.

  4. 4

    Choose the transcription engine under Settings → General → Dictation engine.

Reasoning effort control

Machine Desktop

Control how much reasoning a model applies: more for complex problems, less for quick answers.

Documentation
  1. 1

    Select the four-bar button in the message box. It appears only for models that support it.

  2. 2

    Adjust the slider, or select Reset to the model’s default. The setting applies to every Thread of that bot on that model.

  3. The reasoning effort slider set to High

Quick switcher and command palette

Machine Desktop

Open any Thread from any application with a global shortcut, and run commands from the keyboard.

Documentation
  1. 1

    Press Ctrl+Alt+Space (⌃⌥Space on macOS) from any application to open Switch conversation.

  2. 2

    Within Machine, press Ctrl+K (⌘K) to open the command palette.

  3. The command palette

Routine memory and persistent sign-ins

Machine Desktop · Routines

Scheduled runs can begin with the previous run’s report, so the bot can tell you what has changed. The bot’s browser also keeps its sign-ins between runs.

Documentation
  1. 1

    Open the routine in Machine Desktop’s routine editor. The routine must run a bot.

  2. 2

    Select Remember the last run and save. It applies to runs that start a new session.

All your settings in one place

Web

Profile, workspace, models, billing, team and developer settings now live in a single tabbed page, one click from your avatar or the workspace menu. The Billing tab was simplified to one credits card.

  1. 1

    Select your avatar, or open the workspace menu, and choose User Settings.

  2. 2

    Use the sections on the left: You, Workspace, Agent, Organization and Developer.

Switch and create workspaces

Web

Move between workspaces, or start a new one, straight from the sidebar.

  1. 1

    Open the workspace name at the top of the sidebar to see Switch workspace.

  2. 2

    Pick a workspace, or select Create a workspace… to start a new one.

Session settings in one popover

Web

Change a session’s agent, model, reasoning effort, secrets and connectors from a single popover in the message box. Reloads now show their progress step by step.

  1. 1

    In a session, open the settings popover in the message box.

  2. 2

    Adjust Agent, Model, Reasoning effort, Secrets or Connectors. Changes apply to the next prompt.

Minimal view and message times

Web

Prefer a calmer conversation? Minimal shows a single status line while Machine works, which you can expand at any time. Every message you send now shows its time.

  1. 1

    Open Settings → Preferences.

  2. 2

    Under conversation density, choose Minimal, or Normal to see every step live.

  3. You can also switch it from the command palette: search for “Conversation density”.

Sessions that are ready when you are

Web

While you are in a bot, Machine keeps a session warming in the background, so your next one starts right away instead of waiting for a computer to boot.

  1. 1

    No setup is required. It is on by default.

  2. The waiting session is billed and uses one of your concurrent-session slots. To turn it off, open Settings → Experimental.

Grant a secret from its warning

Web · Customize

When a saved secret can’t reach any agent, the warning now fixes it for you: grant it to the right agent in one click.

  1. 1

    Find the warning No agent can receive this secret.

  2. 2

    Select Grant to <agent>, or pick the agent if several qualify, and confirm.

Chats that recover on their own

Web & all apps

A stalled chat now recovers without a page reload, queued messages all send on the next turn, the message box no longer drops or duplicates sends, and a nearly empty balance gives shorter answers instead of failed ones.

  1. 1

    No setup is required.

Next steps

Put your botsto work.

Install Machine Desktop, add the mobile app for approvals on the go, and assign your first responsibility.
Download MachineDocumentation
  • Email code or password sign-in
  • Automatic updates
  • Your API keys stay yours