OpenManus: Free Manus Alternative
Author / channel: WorldofAI Format: video Source: Original Published: 2025-03-09
Summary
Manus launched as a closed, waitlist-only “general AI agent” and went viral on X. Within days, the MetaGPT team shipped OpenManus (github.com/mannaandpoem/OpenManus) — an open-source clone of the agent loop without the polished UI. Walkthrough covers conda install, free model providers (Groq, Hyperbolic), and a weather-app demo with live animations. Notes OpenManus is materially slower than Manus and rougher but functional. Also references OpenManus-RL: an RL-based reasoning improvement project from the same team.
Key Points
- Origin story — Manus AI shipped as a viral closed-beta general agent. OpenManus appeared within days from the MetaGPT team as an open-source equivalent. No UI, just the agent loop in Python.
- Install path — conda env → clone repo →
pip install -r requirements.txt→ configureconfig/config.toml(rename from.example) →python main.py. Free LLM via Groq or Hyperbolic API keys (rate-limited but workable). - Capabilities — multi-step task execution, file manipulation, terminal commands, web research, CSV generation. Agent runs 30+ steps autonomously per task in the demos.
- OpenManus-RL — sibling project from the same team focused on RL-based reasoning improvements for agent loops.
- Honest caveat — slower than hosted Manus, less refined output. Useful as a baseline / hackable starting point, not a Manus replacement at parity.
Connected Pages
- openmanus — entity
- manus — closed-source original
- flowith — sibling general agent (newer, different architecture)
- multi-agent-orchestration — broader pattern
- WorldofAI — channel hub