Manus AI User Guide for Beginners

A comprehensive guide to understanding, using, and optimizing your experience with Manus AI

Getting Started with Manus AI

This section will guide you through the basics of setting up and using Manus AI. As a beginner to AI, you'll find that Manus has been designed with user-friendliness in mind, making it accessible regardless of your technical background.

Account Setup

Creating Your Manus AI Account

  1. Visit the official website: Navigate to manus.im
  2. Join the waitlist: Click on the "Get Started" button at the top right of the page and select "Apply for access"
  3. Wait for your invitation: Due to high demand, Manus AI is currently operating on an invitation-only basis. Once you've joined the waitlist, you'll need to wait for an invitation code to be sent to your registered email
  4. Activate your account: When you receive your invitation code, follow the instructions in the email to complete your account setup
  5. Set up your profile: Complete your profile with relevant information to help Manus better understand your needs and preferences

Note: Be cautious of unofficial sources offering invitation codes, as they may not be legitimate. Always use official channels to access Manus AI.

Subscription Plans and Credits

Manus AI operates on a credit-based system. When you first sign up, you'll likely receive a starter allocation of credits. There are typically several subscription tiers available:

  • Free tier: Limited credits per month, suitable for occasional use
  • Standard tier: More credits for regular users
  • Premium tier: Substantial credit allocation for power users
  • Enterprise tier: Custom solutions for businesses with specific needs

Each task you assign to Manus will consume a certain number of credits based on its complexity, duration, and the tools required. We'll cover credit optimization strategies in a dedicated section later in this guide.

Understanding the Manus AI Interface

Dashboard Overview

When you first log in to Manus AI, you'll be presented with a dashboard that typically includes:

  • Task input area: Where you describe what you want Manus to do
  • Conversation history: A record of your previous interactions
  • Status indicators: Shows the progress of current tasks
  • Credit balance: Displays your remaining credits
  • Settings: Access to your account preferences and configurations

Spaces and Projects

Manus organizes your work into "Spaces" - dedicated environments for specific projects or types of tasks:

  • Creating a new Space: Click on the "New Space" or "+" button from your dashboard
  • Naming your Space: Give your Space a descriptive name related to its purpose
  • Organizing Spaces: You can categorize Spaces by project, function, or any system that works for you
  • Accessing previous Spaces: Your Spaces will be saved for future reference and continuation

Basic Interaction Patterns

How to Communicate with Manus AI

Communicating with Manus is straightforward and conversational:

  1. Be clear and specific: While Manus is intelligent, it works best when your instructions are clear
  2. Start with the goal: Begin by stating what you want to accomplish
  3. Provide necessary context: Include relevant background information
  4. Set parameters: Specify any preferences or constraints
  5. Ask for updates: Request progress reports for longer tasks

Example Interaction Patterns

Here are some effective ways to structure your requests:

Simple Task Request:

"Please create a summary of the latest research on renewable energy sources."

Multi-Step Task with Parameters:

"I need to analyze sales data from the past quarter. Please create a spreadsheet that shows:
1. Monthly sales totals
2. Top-performing products
3. Regional performance comparison
4. A visualization of the trends
Please use a clean, professional format suitable for a presentation."

Iterative Task Development:

"I'm planning a two-week trip to Japan in April. Can you help me create an itinerary that:
- Covers Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka
- Includes major cultural attractions
- Suggests accommodation options under $150/night
- Includes transportation details between cities"

Understanding Manus AI's Responses

Manus AI will typically respond in several ways:

  • Acknowledgment: Confirming it understands your request
  • Clarification questions: Asking for additional information if needed
  • Progress updates: Informing you of its current status on longer tasks
  • Delivery of results: Providing the completed work, often with attachments or links
  • Follow-up suggestions: Offering additional actions or improvements

Monitoring and Managing Tasks

Task Status Tracking

For longer tasks, Manus provides status updates:

  • In Progress: The task is currently being worked on
  • Waiting for Input: Manus needs additional information from you
  • Completed: The task has been finished
  • Paused: The task has been temporarily stopped

Interrupting or Modifying Tasks

If you need to change direction:

  • Pause a task: Type "Please pause" or "Stop for now"
  • Modify a task: Say "I'd like to change something about this task" followed by your adjustments
  • Cancel a task: Type "Please cancel this task" (note that credits used may not be refunded)

Saving and Accessing Results

Manus AI makes it easy to access your work:

  • Automatic saving: All results are saved in your Space history
  • Downloading files: Click on file attachments to download them
  • Sharing results: Use the share options to export or send your results
  • Continuing previous work: Return to any Space to continue where you left off

Best Practices for Beginners

Starting Small

As a beginner to AI, it's best to:

  1. Begin with simple tasks: Start with straightforward requests before moving to complex projects
  2. Explore capabilities gradually: Try different types of tasks to understand Manus's range
  3. Learn from examples: Study the gallery of example tasks on the Manus website
  4. Experiment with iterations: Refine your requests based on initial results

Providing Effective Instructions

To get the best results:

  1. Be specific about outputs: Describe the format and details you want
  2. Provide examples when possible: Show Manus what you're looking for
  3. Break complex tasks into steps: For complicated projects, consider dividing into smaller tasks
  4. Set clear success criteria: Define what a successful outcome looks like

In the next section, we'll explore strategies to optimize your credit usage, helping you get the most value from Manus AI while managing costs effectively.