Q: What software can you use? A: I have my own computer and can download and use whatever software is needed to get things done.That’s your assistant’s own answer during onboarding, and it’s the right mental model: a remote colleague with their own machine.
Why it matters
Plenty of work can’t be done through chat and APIs alone:- Apps and websites with no integration. If a tool has a screen, your assistant can use it the same way you would — signing in, clicking, typing, reading what’s there. No integration required.
- Visual work. Reviewing a page layout, checking what a form actually looks like, working through a flow that only exists in a browser.
- Files and software. Downloading reports, converting documents, running tools, organizing folders — everything lands on its machine and stays there between sessions.
- Full transparency. Because the work happens on a screen, you can watch it live and even take the controls yourself during a Unify Meet call.
Their computer, not yours
This section is about the machine your assistant owns. Your own computer is a separate topic — covered in Your Computer: assistants can’t see or touch your machine unless you explicitly link it, and by default the closest they get is watching your screen share on a call and talking you through the steps. As the assistant itself puts it:Not directly — but you can view and control my computer through the Meet window (“Show assistant screen” → “Enable mouse and keyboard control”). If you need me to do something on my machine, just ask and I’ll do it. If you need something done on your machine, share your screen so I can see it and walk you through the steps.
What’s in this section
What it does there
Browsing, apps, files, downloads — the assistant’s day-to-day on its
machine.
Watching & taking control
See its live desktop during a Meet call, and drive it yourself.
The machine itself
Ubuntu or Windows, always-there storage, and how it stays private.