---
title: "Using the Device Screen"
canonical: https://trickest.com/docs/using-the-app/agent/using-the-computer
description: "Open Desktop or Mobile, watch the Agent work, and take control when a step needs you."
---

# Using the Device Screen

## Open the screen

Open a device from **Devices**, or inspect it in the Agent workspace. Select **Desktop** for a Linux computer or **Mobile** for Android. This is the remote device's screen, not your own computer.

Check the device name before interacting. Viewing a device does not automatically assign it to the Agent. Use **Use this device for agent** if subsequent Agent work should run there; **Follow agent** returns the view to its current device.

A stopped device requires an explicit **Start**. Wait for startup before expecting a desktop or mobile stream. Files and the app preview are separate views; [Working with Files, Terminal, and Previews](/docs/using-the-app/agent/files-terminal-previews) covers them.

## Watch or take control

In watch mode, you can observe without sending clicks or keystrokes. Select **Take control** in the viewer to act yourself, then click the screen and use the mouse and keyboard.

For Linux desktop work, stop the current Agent turn before interacting with the same application. If a goal is active, use its **Pause** control and wait for the paused state. Manual control is not a substitute for managing the goal or separately running commands.

Android's manual-control hold blocks device-changing automation while allowing status and screenshot inspection. See [Using Android Devices](/docs/using-the-app/computers/using-android-devices) for the mobile workflow.

## Return control

Select **Return control** when finished. Tell the Agent what you changed and what it should do next; returning control does not itself send those instructions. Resume a paused goal when ready.

After switching or restoring devices, check the name and screen again before taking control. If you need to replace the device's state, follow [Saving and Restoring Device Snapshots](/docs/using-the-app/computers/managing-snapshots).

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_Markdown source of https://trickest.com/docs/using-the-app/agent/using-the-computer._