netease-youdao/LobsterAI

What it solves

LobsterAI is a desktop-grade AI agent designed to operate within a user's actual working environment. It bridges the gap between chat-based AI and actual productivity by allowing an agent to interact with local files, terminal commands, browser workflows, and various office software (like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint) to automate complex, multi-step office tasks.

How it works

The system is split into two primary layers: Cowork (the product and session layer) and OpenClaw (the runtime and gateway). The desktop application, built with Electron and React, manages user interface, local persistence via SQLite, and permissions. OpenClaw handles the actual execution of agent tasks. The app integrates with the Model Context Protocol (MCP) to connect external tools and data sources, and uses a local memory system (via files like MEMORY.md) to maintain project context across sessions.

Who it’s for

It is designed for office professionals and developers who want to automate repetitive tasks such as data analysis from local spreadsheets, generating presentations from research, monitoring websites, and managing local project workspaces.

Highlights

• Multi-Agent Workflows: Create specialized agents with unique identities, model choices, and skill sets for repeatable roles.
• IM Remote Control: Control the desktop agent remotely via platforms like WeChat, Telegram, Discord, and email.
• Built-in Skills: Ships with 28 pre-configured skills covering web search, document processing, browser automation, and video generation.
• Scheduled Tasks: Ability to create recurring workflows, such as daily news digests or weekly reports.
• Rich Artifacts: Integrated previewers for HTML, SVG, Mermaid diagrams, and other generated media within the app.