---
title: "Using the Computer"
canonical: https://trickest.com/docs/using-the-app/ai-agent/using-the-computer
description: "Watch the agent’s sandbox desktop, take control of an application, and recover a disconnected view."
---

# Using the Computer

**Computer** opens a desktop inside the agent’s sandbox. Use it to watch the agent work in applications or take over a step that needs your input, such as signing in. It controls the sandbox’s applications, not your own computer.

## Open Computer

In a workflow, choose **Computer** from the header’s view switch. It opens the desktop for that workflow’s sandbox.

In an agent conversation without a workflow, choose **Computer** beside **Files** and **Browser**. This desktop belongs to the conversation’s sandbox.

Computer requires agent access. In a workflow, you also need permission to read that workflow. If the view asks you to connect an AI provider, complete [provider setup](/docs/using-the-app/ai-agent/bring-your-own-key) first.

Opening Computer can start its sandbox. Wait through **Preparing computer…** and **Connecting to desktop…**. The header says **Connected** when the live view is ready. This reports the desktop connection; the agent may be idle.

The view can also open when the agent starts desktop work. A desktop card in the conversation offers **Watch** and **Take control**. An older card may show the last captured screen when the sandbox is no longer running; open Computer to check its current state.

## Watch or take control

Watching lets you follow the screen without sending clicks or keystrokes. To interact:

1. Wait for the agent to hand the task over. If it is still working, stop its current turn before using the same application.
2. Move the pointer over the desktop to reveal **Viewing only**, then select **Take control**. You can also reach the control with **Tab**. On a touch device the control stays visible.
3. Click inside the desktop to focus it, then use the mouse and keyboard to complete your step. **Click the desktop to type** means it still needs focus. A highlighted border marks keyboard focus inside the remote desktop.
4. Select **Stop controlling** in the header when finished, then tell the agent what you completed and ask it to continue.

<Note>
**Take control** enables your input; it does not pause the agent. **Stop controlling** returns the viewer to watching; it does not send a message or start another agent turn.
</Note>

## Choose the right view

| View | Use it for |
| --- | --- |
| **Computer** | The sandbox desktop, including application windows and dialogs. |
| **App** in a workflow, or **Browser** in an unbound conversation | The application or page preview. |
| **Files** | Browsing and editing the sandbox’s files. |

These views can use the same sandbox. Switching views does not move the files to your laptop or publish an application.

## Recover the view

| Control or message | What to do |
| --- | --- |
| **Reload the view** | Reconnect to the desktop. This can wake a stopped sandbox. |
| **Computer options > Restart computer…** | Use when the desktop itself needs restarting. Select **Confirm restart — open apps will close** to confirm. Open applications close; files stay. |
| **Full screen** / **Exit full screen** | Change how much screen space the viewer uses. |
| **Not connected** or **Try again** | Retry the connection. If it keeps failing, preserve the message when reporting the problem. |
| **Restart computer** after a message says this computer needs one restart | An older sandbox needs its desktop connection enabled. Restarting stops open apps and any step in progress; files stay. Finish or stop active work before restarting. |
| A message asks you to start a new chat | The existing sandbox could not enable desktop streaming. Start a new chat as instructed; its sandbox is separate. |

Restarting the desktop is different from stopping an agent turn or cancelling a workflow run. Use the relevant agent or run controls for those actions.

See [Agent sandboxes](/docs/using-the-app/ai-agent/sandboxes) for file retention and process lifetime, and [Agent](/docs/using-the-app/ai-agent/agent-mode) for continuing the conversation.

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