Launch your first autonomous AI agent for a routine task and save it as a reusable skill
In 10 minutes, sign up for Manus, run a full task end-to-end, and save the successful prompt as a Skill for repeat use
- 1.Go to manus.im, click Sign Up, and register with a Google account or email and password. No bank card required. If an SMS code is needed during activation and your number isn't accepted, use any virtual number service available in your region.
A new account gets around 1000 welcome credits plus 300 credits refreshed every 24 hours. This is enough for your first full task.
Manus ↗About this tool - 2.After logging in, select Chat Mode (free, doesn't spend credits) and clarify the task plan. Ask the agent what data it will need and what output format it suggests. This is a dry run before the expensive launch.
Chat Mode has no message limits - use it to refine the task wording before switching to Agent Mode.
Manus ↗About this toolPromptI need a competitive analysis of [your market niche, e.g. project management SaaS tools] in [your region or language]. Prepare a comparison table with columns: name, price, target audience, key features, market share estimate. Use only open reports from 2025-2026. Output as an Excel file. Before starting, confirm the plan and list what data sources you will use.
What this prompt doesThe English prompt gives the agent a concrete task: competitive analysis in a chosen niche and region, a table with specified columns, Excel format, and a source restriction (2025-2026). Replace [your market niche] and [your region or language] with your own values. - 3.Once the plan looks good, switch to Agent Mode and paste the same prompt with the placeholders filled in. Manus will show a to-do list; adjust it if needed before launch, then click the run button. The agent will work autonomously: opening websites, collecting data, and generating the file.
A simple task costs about 1-10 credits; a complex one with browser and code costs 50-200. Closing the tab is fine - the task continues in the cloud. Come back later to pick up the result.
Manus Agent Mode ↗About this tool - 4.After the task completes, download the finished file (Excel, PDF, or a link). If the result needs tweaks, send a clarification in the same thread - the agent will continue from the current context without restarting from scratch.
Finished files stay in the task permanently. You can return to them anytime and reuse as a template.
Manus ↗About this tool - 5.If the task repeats, turn it into a Skill. Type the skill-creation command in chat, describe what the skill should do and which variables change. Manus will create a saved template that you can launch later with a single phrase, saving 30-50% credits on similar requests.
Skills can be created through chat: the agent itself describes the workflow and saves it. It's like recording a macro - but for an AI task.
Manus Skills ↗About this toolPromptHelp me create a skill together using /skill-creator. First ask me what the skill should do. The skill should produce a competitive analysis table for a given market niche and region, output as Excel. Ask me clarifying questions one by one before saving.
What this prompt doesThe prompt launches the built-in skill-creator - the agent will step by step figure out what the skill should do and save it. In the future, you can invoke the skill with a single phrase, changing only the niche and region. - 6.Optional for advanced users: install Hermes Agent on a VPS for a fully local autonomous agent. Connect via SSH, run hermes setup, choose quick setup, specify the LLM provider (e.g. OpenRouter) and API key, then set up the Telegram gateway to control the agent from a messenger.
Hermes is open-source (GitHub), requires your own VPS and an LLM provider API key. It has 89 built-in skills and over 500 from the community. If you don't have a VPS, skip this step - Manus fully covers the basic scenario.
Hermes Agent ↗Prompthermes setup
What this prompt doesThe command launches the Hermes initial setup dialog on the server: choosing the LLM provider, entering the API key, selecting a model, and configuring the Telegram gateway.
- freeManus FreeAround 1000 welcome credits on sign-up plus 300 credits every 24 hours; Chat Mode is unlimited and doesn't spend credits; one parallel task.
- subscriptionManus StandardPaid plan around $20 per month: 4000 credits + 300 daily, up to 20 parallel tasks, access to Wide Research and Manus 1.6. Current prices at manus.im/pricing.
- freeHermes AgentOpen-source, free; requires a VPS (from ~$5/mo at any hosting provider) and an LLM provider API key (pay-per-use based on model usage).
- APILLM API (OpenRouter etc.)Only needed for Hermes; cost depends on the chosen model and request volume. OpenRouter provides access to many models, including free ones.
Why today
AI services change fast - interfaces and free limits may differ from what's described.