1) Manus: A Glimpse of AGI
Manus (the Latin word for “hand”) is a general AI agent platform created by the Monica team. Billed as the world’s first universal Agent, it recently went viral because it offers a glimpse into the dawn of AGI.
2) What Makes Manus Different?
Unlike traditional AI systems, Manus turns your thoughts into actions, bridging the gap between concept and execution. That’s why its slogan is:
“Leave it to Manus.”
3) Background & Timeline
- Company: Monica
- Founder: Xiao Hong, a graduate of Huazhong University of Science and Technology
Key Dates:
- November 20, 2022: Monica project initiated (10 days before ChatGPT’s public release).
- July 2023: Company officially established; launched Monica AI as a plugin-based assistant, which went viral in Latin America. It surpassed 1.3 million global downloads and entered the Top 10 in free productivity charts across multiple countries.
- March 2025: Released the world’s first general AI agent, Manus. On the same day, AI Agent concept stocks soared on the Chinese A-share market.
- Future Outlook: Gartner predicts that by 2028, 15% of daily work will be handled by AI agents.
- Chief Scientist’s Note: Manus Chief Scientist, Ji Yichao (“Peak”), tweeted:
“This is the best product I’ve ever developed in my career.”
4) Why All the Buzz?
In the GAIA benchmark test—used to assess how well AGI systems solve real-world problems—Manus significantly outperformed OpenAI’s Deep Research. GAIA is notoriously difficult; on its public leaderboard, GPT-4-Turbo averages under 7%, while humans average 92%. Manus, however, reached 86.5% (see Figure 1), becoming the first genuinely general AI Agent.
5) Manus’s Unique Capabilities
-
Independent Thinking & Planning
It interprets your request, formulates its own to-do list, and determines an execution path. -
Tool Usage
Manus can write and run code, browse the web, and operate apps—delivering final results directly to you. -
Task Execution & Monitoring
Processing happens in the cloud. You can track progress on your phone and get notified when it’s done. -
Multi-Scenario Applications
Ideal for batch file processing, travel planning, market research, data analysis, and more complex tasks.
6) Real Use Cases
Check out manus.im/usecases for real-world examples (see Figure 2), covering research, daily life, data analysis, education, productivity, and “WTF” scenarios:
- April trip planning in Japan
- In-depth Tesla stock analysis
- Interactive teaching materials on momentum theory
- Insurance policy comparison and recommendations
- B2B supplier sourcing
- Amazon earnings report and market sentiment analysis
- Curating a list of YC Winter 2025 B2B companies
7) How to Start Using Manus
-
Join the Waitlist
Visit the official website (manus.im) and sign up to join the waiting list. -
Community Access
Join the official Discord: discord.com/invite/gjuX…
(Be cautious about unofficial links.)
8) Simple Prompts (with Example Recordings)
Below are a few sample prompts along with live demos:
Travel Planning
“I need a 7-day itinerary in Japan from April 15 to 23, starting from Seattle, with a budget of $2,500–$5,000. It’s a trip for my fiancée and me. We love historical sites, hidden gems, and Japanese culture (kendo, tea ceremony, Zen). We want to see the deer in Nara and enjoy city walks. I plan to propose, so please recommend a special spot. Provide a detailed schedule and create a simple HTML travel guide with maps, sightseeing info, essential Japanese phrases, and travel tips.”
Link: manus.im/share/brWKUSp5…
Stock Analysis
“I want a comprehensive analysis of Tesla stock, including:
• Company overview: key metrics, performance data, and investment recommendations
• Financial data: revenue trends, profit margins, balance sheet, and cash flow analysis
• Market sentiment: analyst ratings, sentiment indicators, and news impact
• Technical analysis: price trends, indicators, and support/resistance levels
• Asset comparison: market share vs. key competitors
• Value investing factors: intrinsic value, growth potential, risk factors
• Investment thesis: SWOT analysis and recommendations for various investor types.”
Link: manus.im/share/xFgpHb15…
Lecture Recording → Notes
“Convert this MIT OpenCourseWare video into a set of lecture notes.”
Link: manus.im/share/FqeNfalZ…
Financial Statements Review
“Please do a preliminary review of these financial statements and cross-check them with the supporting Excel workpapers.”
Link: manus.im/share/P6bRCvL1…
Proofreading a Long Text
“Please proofread this document, identify any errors, and format it in Word so it looks neat and professional.”
Link: manus.im/share/FhoLORUA…
Contract Document Review
“Please carefully review this contract, identify all errors, and provide a revision history along with a corrected version.”
Link: manus.im/share/C54gwsF9…
9) “Less Structure, More Intelligence”
Manus advocates “Less structure, more intelligence.” Rather than relying on rigid, predefined workflows, they focus on the model’s autonomous evolution.
Previously, they found that using a browser in a single-user setting can cause conflicts when the AI frequently interrupts the user. Their conclusion:
“AI should have its own independent cloud browser.”
Future Experience (Manners):
- Give AI a Computer
Equip it with a cloud-based browser and other necessary tools. - Open Permissions
Provide private APIs and authoritative data (e.g., financial metrics). - Dynamic Training
Users can refine AI behavior in real time (like training an intern). After a few days, it seamlessly adapts to your preferences.
10) That’s Manus in 10 Points
To learn more, check the official website or community. Thanks for reading!
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