FreeComputerUse: open-source hybrid browser agent cuts 8 browser actions to 2 model calls

stackattackpro · reddit · 2026-09-19

Redditor stackattackpro open-sourced FreeComputerUse (MIT) after finding computer-use agents like Astra and Fable 5.1 too expensive for repetitive browser work.

Architecture: DeepSeek Flash plans a batch of actions; TypeScript + Playwright executes them locally and verifies results. The model is called again only when a new decision or repair is needed. The cursor visibly moves, clicks and types; the agent asks permission before accessing sites and can be paused anytime.

Benchmark run: on a synthetic practice site — find an overdue invoice via 4 filters, open its detail page, extract tables, download, verify — it took 8 browser actions, 2 model calls, 5,263 tokens, 0 repairs.

Workflow reuse: successful tasks can be saved as workflows and re-run later with zero model calls. Currently Chromium web pages only; the repo intentionally includes failed trials alongside successes. Bring your own API key; GitHub repo, recorded demo, and a free practice site are provided.

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