> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.audimate.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Computer use

> Let Arro click, type, and navigate in your open apps, follow its progress on screen, and pause or stop control whenever you need to take over.

Ask Arro to carry out a task in your open apps while you watch and control when it stops.

Audimate is coming soon. Access to the web workspace and desktop downloads is limited to approved testers.
Public signups and downloads are not open yet.

The desktop app is for Windows. macOS is coming soon; Mac-specific guidance describes the upcoming release.

Computer use requires the [desktop app](/concepts/desktop-app) and is available on every plan, including Free.
Enable **Let Arro control your computer** under **Arro → General**.
For the upcoming Mac release, see [macOS permissions](/concepts/desktop-app#macos-permissions).

## Ask Arro to act

Arro can click, double-click, drag, scroll, type, and use keyboard shortcuts in the apps on your screen.
It checks the screen as it works and acts when you ask it to.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Show the task">
    In the app you want Arro to use, bring the relevant window into view.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Ask for the result">
    Tell Arro what to do, such as “Fill this form using the details I gave you.”
    A blue border appears around the screen it controls.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Follow the progress">
    Open the **Control** tab in the [dynamic dock](/concepts/dynamic-dock#control) to see how far Arro has got.
  </Step>
</Steps>

If Arro cannot act, it explains what is blocking it. Check the setting, permissions, and recording state under [When control is unavailable](#when-control-is-unavailable).

Describe the intended outcome and any boundaries when you ask.
Arro asks before a consequential step outside what you have authorized, such as sending a message you only asked it to draft.

## Pause or stop

The dock shows **Controlling** while Arro operates your screen.

| Control                    | What happens                                          |
| -------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------- |
| **Pause**                  | Stops input and keeps the task ready to continue      |
| **Resume**                 | Checks the current screen and continues               |
| **Stop**                   | Ends control until you ask Arro to act again          |
| **Esc**                    | Stops control from any app, including between actions |
| Double-tap your action key | Pauses, then resumes on another double-tap            |

Your [action key](/account/keybinds) defaults to **Left Shift**.
Talking or typing to Arro also interrupts its current action.
Moving your mouse does not pause Arro, so pause or stop before taking over.

<Warning>
  Stopping does not undo changes Arro already made. Check the app before asking it to continue.
</Warning>

## Choose how Arro helps

| What you need                     | Where the work happens                               |
| --------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------- |
| Computer use                      | Arro uses your mouse and keyboard in visible apps    |
| [Guide](/concepts/guide)          | You act while Arro explains and highlights each step |
| [Background work](/concepts/work) | A task uses its own browser and local files          |

To switch from coaching to action, tell Arro to do the step for you.
A background task cannot operate your open desktop.
Its browser has a separate sign-in session, with its own [browser settings](/concepts/desktop-app#agent-browser).

The **Approvals** setting governs background tasks accessing sites, folders, and connected tools.
It does not show an approval card for each click or keystroke on your screen.
See [approval modes](/concepts/desktop-app#approval-modes) for those task controls.

## When control is unavailable

| Situation                                       | What to do                                       |
| ----------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------ |
| Computer control is off                         | Enable the control setting in **Arro → General** |
| A required permission is missing                | Follow the permission prompt in the desktop app  |
| [Watch mode](/concepts/watch-mode) is recording | Stop the recording before asking Arro to act     |
| You paused control                              | Choose **Resume** when ready                     |
| You stopped control                             | Ask Arro to act again when ready                 |

To keep Arro as a guide, turn off **Let Arro control your computer**.
This setting is saved separately on each device.

## Related

<Columns cols={3}>
  <Card title="Guide" icon="hand-pointer" href="/concepts/guide">
    Learn a task with Arro coaching you through it.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Work" icon="briefcase" href="/concepts/work">
    Hand a task to Arro to run in the background.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Desktop settings" icon="desktop" href="/concepts/desktop-app">
    Configure permissions, browser access, and allowed folders.
  </Card>
</Columns>