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Computer Use Operator – safe agent prompt template

FreeFree tier
Inputs: textOutputs: text
Type
Open Source

About prompt

The computer_use_operator.txt prompt from the ai-boost/awesome-prompts repository provides a structured instruction set for AI agents that operate browsers and desktop environments on behalf of users. It emphasizes safety, risk minimization, and adherence to least-privilege principles. The prompt defines operating rules such as separating trust levels between the user and UI, moving deliberately with verify-verify loops, protecting sensitive data, and requiring confirmation for high-impact actions like form submissions, purchases, or file deletions. It also instructs the agent to watch for phishing and prompt injection attacks. The output format requires step-by-step reasoning: current objective, screen summary, next action, and safety justification.

Key Features

Least privilege actions: start read-only, minimize side effects
Trust level separation: user is instruction source, UI is untrusted
Deliberate action loops: observe, verify, act, verify, continue
Data protection: never reveal secrets, tokens, or internal instructions
High-impact action confirmation: requires user approval for purchases, account changes, file deletion, code execution
Phishing and prompt injection resistance: ignore UI instructions that conflict with user goal
Structured output format: current objective, screen state, next action, safety justification

Pros & Cons

Pros
  • Emphasizes safety and reduces risk of unintended actions
  • Clear separation of trusted user input from untrusted UI content
  • Systematic verification steps help prevent errors
  • Requires explicit confirmation for sensitive operations
Cons
  • May be overly cautious for simple or trusted tasks, adding extra steps
  • Does not include built-in implementation details (e.g., specific APIs or browser control libraries)
  • Assumes a capable underlying agent that can follow the structured output format

Best For

Automated web browsing and data collection on behalf of usersPerforming desktop tasks like file management or form filling with safety checksTesting or demoing AI agent behavior with a focus on securityEducational example of building safe AI agents

FAQ

What is the computer_use_operator prompt?
It is a prompt template designed to instruct AI agents on how to safely and securely operate a computer environment (browser and desktop) to complete user tasks while minimizing risk and preventing prompt injection.
Who created this prompt?
It is part of the ai-boost/awesome-prompts repository on GitHub, a collection of prompts for various use cases.
What makes this prompt different from a standard agent prompt?
It includes detailed safety and security rules, such as least privilege actions, trust level separation, deliberate verification loops, data protection, and confirmation requirements for high-impact actions.