macos-computer-use

Drive the macOS desktop with background screenshots, clicks, typing, and scrolling via the computer_use tool.

1|Updated Jun 17, 2026
One-click install
npx skills add https://github.com/specdog/collar --skill macos-computer-use-specdog
Or copy as Structured Prompt for Agent▼
Please help me install this Agent Skill.
Skill: macos-computer-use
Source: https://github.com/specdog/collar/tree/main/skills/apple/macos-computer-use
Command: npx skills add https://github.com/specdog/collar --skill macos-computer-use-specdog

SYSTEM DOCUMENTATION & REQUIREMENTS

What problem does it solve? Automating the macOS GUI normally requires hijacking the user's cursor and keyboard focus, interrupting their work. This Skill lets an agent capture screens, click elements, type, scroll, and drag in the background — without moving the user's cursor, stealing focus, or switching Spaces — using any tool-capable model. ## Core Features & Use Cases - Element-index automation: Capture a screenshot with numbered overlays on every interactable element (SOM mode) plus an accessibility-tree index, then click by element number instead of unreliable pixel coordinates. - Full input control: Click, double-click, right-click, drag-and-drop, scroll, type Unicode text, and send keyboard shortcuts like cmd+s, all with optional inline post-action verification captures. - Safety guardrails: Hard rules against clicking permission dialogs, typing secrets, or obeying instructions found in screenshots, plus tool-level blocking of dangerous commands. - Use Case: Fill out a web form in Safari — capture the page to find field indices, click each AXTextField, type values, paste an SSH key from the clipboard, and submit, all while the user keeps working in another app. ## Quick Start Ask the agent to capture the Safari window with computer_use and click the sign-in button by its element index.

Frequently Asked Questions about macos-computer-use

High-intent search queries and answers about installing and using this skill.

FAQPage Schema
How do I automate macOS GUI clicks without moving the user's cursor?▼

Use the computer_use tool, which routes input to apps in the background without raising windows or switching Spaces. Capture the target app first, then click by element index from the accessibility tree rather than pixel coordinates.

How do I fill out a web form in Safari using automation?▼

Capture the Safari page to list AXTextField elements, click each field by index, type the value, and use tab to move between fields. For long values like SSH keys, copy to the clipboard with pbcopy and paste with cmd+v.

Does macOS computer use automation work with models other than Claude?▼

Yes, it works with any tool-capable model including GPT, Gemini, or local OpenAI-compatible models. Clicking by element index is recommended since non-Claude models are often unreliable with raw pixel coordinates.

Why does my click by element index have no effect on macOS?▼

Element indices come from the last capture and go stale when the UI changes, such as a new tab or modal dialog. Re-capture the screen, dismiss any blocking modal with escape, then retry the click with the updated index.

When should I use browser tools instead of computer_use on macOS?▼

Use browser_* tools for web automation since they run a headless Chromium and are more reliable than driving the user's GUI browser. Reserve computer_use for native Mac apps like Finder, Mail, Messages, Figma, or anything non-web.

Why is cua-driver not installed and how do I fix it?▼

The computer_use tool requires cua-driver, which is installed by running the tools setup and enabling Computer Use. It also requires macOS with Accessibility and Screen Recording permissions granted.