Visual workflows for agents that control a VM
A builder created node-based workflows where agents operate a real virtual machine's desktop apps step by step.
- Agent or tool
- Custom agent
- Topic
- Automation
- Reported on
- Hacker News
- Added
- 2026-10-15
Why it matters
Automation used to mean wiring up rigid rules. Agents can handle the messy, in-between steps that rules miss, which makes many more workflows worth automating. It is one of 65 sightings filed under Automation on Agent Sightings (number 55 by interest), and one of 266 involving Custom agent.
How you could try it
Here is a reusable prompt, written by us in our own words, that captures the task. Paste it into your own agent or any similar agent and adjust the details to your situation.
On the VM, open the spreadsheet app, import this CSV, create a pivot by month, and save a screenshot of the result.
Tip: Start small: run it once on a low-stakes example, read what the agent did, and only then let it run on real work.
Source
Read the original first-hand account on Hacker News: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=48100204. Our summary is a paraphrase; details are in the source.
Featured in these guides
Built an AI agent? Feature your agent on Agent Sightings, free submission or a featured spot.
Browse more like this
Related sightings
- How Flynn Group, the largest franchisee in the world, employs conversational software to save time and money
- Grupo Bimbo uses Copilot Studio
- Use Claude Code in a commercial real estate business
- Gelato embeds thousands of CrewAI agents to map product catalogs and onboard carriers
- Rebook a work flight to save money
- Get a billing dispute refunded by a support agent