OpenDuet Launches as Open‑Source Proactive Agent to Automate Workflows

Overview

According to the GitHub repository description, OpenDuet is an open‑source proactive agent designed to handle routine tasks and keep users informed without waiting for manual prompts. Built on top of OpenBot and CopilotKit, it runs its own isolated computer environment, allowing it to work while the user steps away. The project is described as early and actively under development, with the current release functioning as OpenBot’s open‑source, self‑hosted agent platform, enhanced with OpenDuet’s branding, bots, and skills.

How It Works

• Morning brief – Generates a short daily summary of pending items, changes, and decisions needed.
• Task triage – Distinguishes actions that require user input from those that can proceed automatically.
• Autonomous execution – Operates in its own container with a real browser, file system, and granted tools, reporting completion or stalls.
• Approval gateway – Shows the exact action (send, pay, sign, delete) and asks for permission before proceeding, with options to allow once, always, or refuse.
• Secure credential handling – Passwords are entered into masked fields; secrets never appear in conversation logs and are encrypted at rest.
• Data safety checks – Every outgoing message is scanned for sensitive information to prevent accidental leaks.

Key Features

• Self‑hosted flexibility – Users can host OpenDuet themselves, choose their model, and keep data in their own database.
• Cross‑platform reach – Accessible via web, mobile, Slack, and Microsoft Teams.
• Integrated calendar and mail – Reads Gmail and calendar, prioritizes user‑needed items, and creates a morning brief.
• Research capability – Includes a public‑web research skill that can fetch sources and summarize information without using the browser.
• Routine automation – Supports scheduled tasks that run in the agent’s own environment.
• Transparent approvals – Every action passes through an approval gateway that logs audits and respects user policies.

Setup & Deployment

• Prerequisites – Docker, Bun 1.3+, Node, a model API key, and a CopilotKit Intelligence project (free Developer plan suffices).
• Install steps –

1. Sign in and select an Intelligence project; the script writes keys to `.env` and configures the learning container.
2. Add your model key to `.env` (OpenAI, Anthropic, or other providers).
3. Run `bash scripts/start.sh` to launch Postgres, bot computers, API server, worker, and the app.
4. Access the interface at `http://localhost:3010`.

• Configuration notes – Adjust ports if needed, set `OPENBOT_ONE_COMPUTER_EACH` for shared or per‑bot computers, and ensure `COMPUTER_TOKEN` matches across services.
• Verification – After start, test the bot’s browser actions, set approvals in `/settings/approvals`, try scheduled routines at `/routines`, and explore the research skill with `/research-public-web`.

Practical Implications

OpenDuet aims to reduce manual overhead by handling repetitive digital chores, allowing users to focus on higher‑level decisions. Its self‑hosted nature gives organizations control over data and model choice, while the approval system maintains human oversight. The integration with Gmail, calendar, Slack, and Teams suggests a unified workflow across common communication channels.

Verification & Access

The original announcement and detailed instructions are available on the GitHub repository (https://github.com/CopilotKit/OpenDuet) Readers can verify the current state, contribute, or report issues directly there. The repository also contains configuration guides and examples for customizing the agent.

Status & Development

The project is described as early and in active development. Core functionality mirrors OpenBot’s existing platform, with OpenDuet’s specific bots and skills layered on top. The maintainers welcome issues and ideas, noting that many foundational components reside in OpenBot, so changes to the computer, gateway, approvals, credentials, or connectors typically belong there.

Keywords

open-source proactive agent, OpenDuet, task automation, CopilotKit, OpenBot, AI assistant, self-hosted, productivity, approval gateway, early access