| name | computer-use |
| description | Use owner-authorized KDE Wayland foreground desktop observation and input. Screenshots default to KWin ScreenShot2, pointer and keyboard input use the pre-authorized KDE RemoteDesktop portal, and tray-hidden apps can be restored through KDE StatusNotifierItem. |
Computer Use
Use these tools when the user wants Codex to operate visible KDE Wayland desktop apps and no more specific app plugin is suitable. If a target app has its own Codex plugin or tool surface, use that app-specific plugin first and treat Computer Use as the fallback for gaps, unsupported actions, or visible UI state that the app plugin cannot reach.
Start an operation with computer_begin_round, then call computer_observe, computer_list_desktops, or computer_list_windows. Input tools auto-start a round when needed, but an explicit begin makes the cursor glow and desktop restore lifecycle visible. Use computer_list_tray_items when the target app is hidden to the KDE system tray and does not currently have a KWin window. Screenshot capture defaults to backend: "direct" through KWin ScreenShot2 authorization from the activated Codex desktop entry. Foreground input tools default to backend: "portal" through KDE RemoteDesktop, using the installer-managed portal pre-authorization so normal operation should not show KDE portal dialogs.
When operating a window, use computer_activate_window first unless the target is already active. The broker moves activated windows and active input targets to KWin virtual desktop 1 for the current Computer Use round, records their original virtual desktops, and keeps them there for subsequent operations to avoid repeated desktop shuffling. Call computer_end_round when the round ends so cursor glow stops and moved windows return to their original virtual desktops. computer_release_desktops remains a compatibility alias for this cleanup. computer_list_windows returns each window's virtual desktop ownership.
Use computer_open_app with reuse_existing: true when the app is probably already running and reusing its current window or tray item is safer than starting another process. Leave reuse_existing false when the task needs a new app launch, such as opening a fresh Chrome window for testing.
When the app only exists in the system tray, prefer computer_activate_tray_item with the ref, service/path, or query returned by computer_list_tray_items. That invokes KDE StatusNotifierItem DBus activation instead of guessing tray coordinates. Tray queries also match the StatusNotifierItem owner process fields, so apps with generic or blank tray metadata can still be selected by executable name when KDE exposes the item through StatusNotifierWatcher. After a window appears, continue with normal foreground tools.
Do not use direct pointer input paths. On Plasma 6.3+, the activation helper pre-authorizes KDE RemoteDesktop for app_id: "codex" and the broker registers that app id before portal calls; without that pre-authorization, input can show KDE remote-control dialogs.
Coordinates are in the visible compositor coordinate space returned by computer_observe.
Do not claim background control. These tools operate the foreground desktop and can be interrupted by user pointer or keyboard activity.
Prefer computer_type for text. It uses clipboard paste for non-ASCII text when wl-copy is available, then sends the paste shortcut through the RemoteDesktop portal.
Use computer_wait with observe: true after actions that trigger UI transitions. Pass the same screenshot backend you would use for computer_observe when direct KWin screenshot access is not available in the current process.
