Computer-Use Agents: When UI Automation Is Worth It

There are two automation paths:

• API integrations
• UI automation (clicking like a human)

Computer-use agents are the second path.

Good Use Cases

• no API available
• API access is blocked
• you need an MVP fast
• the process is rare but expensive

Reliability Rules

• start read-only
• make steps idempotent
• capture checkpoints (IDs/screens)
• add limits and stop conditions
• require approvals for risky actions

UI automation is a bridge to value until proper integrations land.