See why an Octavus Agent's computer is not always on, and what happens when a task needs the desktop.
Why computers sleep
Agent computers are not always on. They sleep for cost optimization so they are not sitting idle for a long time.
A computer that is already awake comes online quickly. A computer that is asleep has to wake first.
Finish work without the computer
Agents do not always need the computer. If they can use an MCP or other available tools, they can finish the task while the computer stays asleep. That is usually faster.
- Give the Agent a task that can be done with tools, such as looking up today's headlines.
- Watch the thread. The Agent may think, then complete the work with tools instead of opening a browser.
- Open the Computer tab if you want to confirm the computer is still asleep.
Wake the computer for browser work
Ask the Agent to use the browser when the task needs the desktop.
- Tell the Agent to do the same work using the browser.
- Watch for Preparing computer. That status shows the computer is waking.
- Wait for the computer to come online, then follow the browser work in the thread or Computer tab.
Wake-up time depends on the computer type:
| Computer | Typical wake-up time |
|---|---|
| Linux | About 10 seconds |
| Windows | About 40 seconds |
A computer that was already awake, because the Agent just worked on something, comes online much faster than one that has gone to sleep.
Verify
Tool-only tasks can finish while the Computer tab still shows the computer asleep. Browser tasks show Preparing computer, then the Agent uses the browser as asked.