# 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.

Canonical page: https://themachine.myapps.ai/docs/desktop/this-pc/fast-mode

## 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](/docs/desktop/this-pc/overview) 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

![The Fast mode menu with a key saved](/images/docs/desktop/fast-mode-menu.webp)

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](/docs/desktop/this-pc/safety-and-stop).

## 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 |