computer/docs/content/docs/quickstart-devs.mdx

---
title: Quickstart (for Developers)
description: Get started with cua in 5 steps
icon: Rocket
---

import { Step, Steps } from 'fumadocs-ui/components/steps';
import { Tab, Tabs } from 'fumadocs-ui/components/tabs';

Get up and running with cua in 5 simple steps.

<Steps>
<Step>

## Introduction

cua combines Computer (interface) + Agent (AI) for automating desktop apps. Computer handles clicks/typing, Agent provides the intelligence.

</Step>

<Step>

## Set Up Your Computer Environment

Choose how you want to run your cua computer. **Cloud containers are recommended** for the easiest setup:

<Tabs items={['☁️ Cloud (Recommended)', 'Lume (macOS Only)', 'Windows Sandbox (Windows Only)', 'Docker (Cross-Platform)']}>
  <Tab value="☁️ Cloud (Recommended)">
    
    **Easiest & safest way to get started**
    
    1. Go to [trycua.com/signin](https://www.trycua.com/signin)
    2. Navigate to **Dashboard > Containers > Create Instance**
    3. Create a **Medium, Ubuntu 22** container
    4. Note your container name and API key
    
    Your cloud container will be automatically configured and ready to use.

  </Tab>
  <Tab value="Lume (macOS Only)">
    
    1. Install lume cli

    ```bash
    /bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/trycua/cua/main/libs/lume/scripts/install.sh)"
    ```

    2. Start a local cua container

    ```bash
    lume run macos-sequoia-cua:latest
    ```

  </Tab>
  <Tab value="Windows Sandbox (Windows Only)">
    
    1. Enable Windows Sandbox (requires Windows 10 Pro/Enterprise or Windows 11)
    2. Install pywinsandbox dependency

    ```bash
    pip install -U git+git://github.com/karkason/pywinsandbox.git
    ```

    3. Windows Sandbox will be automatically configured when you run the CLI

  </Tab>
  <Tab value="Docker (Cross-Platform)">
    
    1. Install Docker Desktop or Docker Engine

    2. Pull the CUA Ubuntu container

    ```bash
    docker pull --platform=linux/amd64 trycua/cua-ubuntu:latest
    ```

  </Tab>
</Tabs>

</Step>

<Step>

## Install cua

<Tabs items={['Python', 'TypeScript']}>
  <Tab value="Python">
    ```bash
    pip install "cua-agent[all]" cua-computer
    ```
  </Tab>
  <Tab value="TypeScript">
    ```bash
    npm install @trycua/computer
    ```
  </Tab>
</Tabs>

</Step>

<Step>

## Using Computer

<Tabs items={['Python', 'TypeScript']}>
  <Tab value="Python">
    ```python
    from computer import Computer

    async with Computer(
        os_type="linux",
        provider_type="cloud",
        name="your-container-name",
        api_key="your-api-key"
    ) as computer:
        # Take screenshot
        screenshot = await computer.interface.screenshot()

        # Click and type
        await computer.interface.left_click(100, 100)
        await computer.interface.type("Hello!")
    ```

  </Tab>
  <Tab value="TypeScript">
    ```typescript
    import { Computer, OSType } from '@trycua/computer';

    const computer = new Computer({
      osType: OSType.LINUX,
      name: "your-container-name",
      apiKey: "your-api-key"
    });

    await computer.run();

    try {
      // Take screenshot
      const screenshot = await computer.interface.screenshot();

      // Click and type
      await computer.interface.leftClick(100, 100);
      await computer.interface.typeText("Hello!");
    } finally {
      await computer.close();
    }
    ```

  </Tab>
</Tabs>

</Step>

<Step>

## Using Agent

```python
from agent import ComputerAgent

agent = ComputerAgent(
    model="anthropic/claude-3-5-sonnet-20241022",
    tools=[computer],
    max_trajectory_budget=5.0
)

messages = [{"role": "user", "content": "Take a screenshot and tell me what you see"}]

async for result in agent.run(messages):
    for item in result["output"]:
        if item["type"] == "message":
            print(item["content"][0]["text"])
```

</Step>
</Steps>

## Next Steps

{/* - Explore the [SDK documentation](/sdk) for advanced features */}

- Learn about [trajectory tracking](/agent-sdk/callbacks/trajectories) and [callbacks](/agent-sdk/callbacks/agent-lifecycle)
- Join our [Discord community](https://discord.com/invite/mVnXXpdE85) for support