# Manus

> **TL;DR.** Manus is a general-purpose autonomous AI agent that accepts plain-language goals and executes multi-step tasks — web research, code generation, data analysis, file creation — without continuous user input.

- **Category:** AI / Autonomous Agents / Consumer
- **Stage:** established
- **Age:** 467 days
- **Origin date:** 2025-03-06
- **First detected:** 2026-04-23
- **Canonical URL:** https://earlyterms.com/term/manus
- **Sources:** 9 primary URLs

## Definition

Manus is a general-purpose autonomous AI agent that accepts plain-language goals and executes multi-step tasks — web research, code generation, data analysis, file creation — without continuous user input. Built by Butterfly Effect, it stacks multiple LLMs (Anthropic Claude and Alibaba Qwen) behind a live "Manus's Computer" transparency feed.

Launched [March 6, 2025](https://manus.im/) by the Wuhan-founded startup, Manus went viral within days — over 2 million users waitlisted in the first week on GAIA benchmark results beating OpenAI Deep Research. In December 2025, [Meta acquired Manus](https://manus.im/blog/manus-joins-meta-for-next-era-of-innovation) for a reported $2–3 billion, triggering a Chinese regulatory probe and exit bans on founders.

## Analogy

Think of it as a self-driving intern for digital work: you set the destination, it drives.

## Why it's emerging now

Manus launched March 6, 2025 as an early 'general AI agent,' posting GAIA scores above OpenAI Deep Research and drawing 2M waitlist signups in a week (dev/HN circles — mainstream search interest stayed modest at Google Trends peak 7/100). Meta's $2–3B acquisition in December 2025 and China's subsequent exit bans on founders have since made Manus the center of a geopolitical AI story that extends well beyond the product itself.

## Related terms

- *parent:* agentic-ai
- *related:* agent-loop
- *competitor:* managed-agents
- *competitor:* openai-agents-sdk
- *related:* browser-use
- *related:* agent-harness
- *competitor:* deep-research
- *competitor:* openclaw
- *child:* OpenManus
- *competitor:* AgenticSeek
- *competitor:* Genspark
- *related:* claude-agent-sdk

## Sources

1. [Manus — official product site](https://manus.im/)
2. [Manus joins Meta — official blog post](https://manus.im/blog/manus-joins-meta-for-next-era-of-innovation)
3. [MIT Technology Review — Manus hands-on review (Mar 2025)](https://www.technologyreview.com/2025/03/11/1113133/manus-ai-review/)
4. [TechCrunch — Manus launches paid plans and mobile app (Mar 2025)](https://techcrunch.com/2025/03/31/manus-launches-paid-subscription-plans-and-a-mobile-app/)
5. [CNBC — Meta acquires Manus (Dec 2025)](https://www.cnbc.com/2025/12/30/meta-acquires-singapore-ai-agent-firm-manus-china-butterfly-effect-monicai.html)
6. [Euronews — China bans Manus founders from leaving (Mar 2026)](https://www.euronews.com/next/2026/03/26/china-bans-manus-founders-from-leaving-country-after-meta-acquires-ai-startup-and-reviews-)
7. [Asia Times — limits of 'Singapore washing' for China AI (Apr 2026)](https://asiatimes.com/2026/04/manacled-manus-the-limits-of-singapore-washing-for-china-ai/)
8. [Wikipedia — Manus (AI agent)](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manus_(AI_agent))
9. [OpenManus — GitHub repo (55k+ stars)](https://github.com/FoundationAgents/OpenManus)

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_Generated by EarlyTerms · https://earlyterms.com/term/manus_