DeepSeek Cowork: The Open-Source AI Agent for Browser Automation & Local Privacy

In the rapidly evolving landscape of artificial intelligence, we are constantly searching for that one “digital assistant” capable of truly boosting efficiency. On January 13, 2026, Anthropic released Claude Cowork—a compelling product that proposed a vision: extending AI coding assistance to the rest of your workflow.

This is indeed a brilliant product direction. However, upon closer inspection, significant barriers emerge. It is expensive, complex to configure, and restricted by region. Moreover, as a closed-source product, you cannot truly control its underlying mechanisms. It was precisely to address these pain points that DeepSeek Cowork was created.

This is a fully open-source, extremely low-cost, and out-of-the-box AI work assistant. It is not just a simple chatbot; a comprehensive workflow platform integrating browser automation, file management, and persistent memory. Today, we will dive deep into this tool to see how it leverages the power of DeepSeek and a unique Hybrid SaaS architecture to provide a brand-new AI interaction experience for both developers and general users.

Why Choose DeepSeek Cowork?

When selecting tools, we usually weigh multiple dimensions. DeepSeek Cowork was designed to break down the barriers of existing high-end AI tools.

Core Advantages Comparison

We place DeepSeek Cowork on the same scale as the original Claude Cowork, and the differences are immediately clear:

Dimension Claude Cowork DeepSeek Cowork
Cost 💰 Expensive, high barrier for long-term use ✅ Extremely low cost, leveraging highly competitive API pricing
Ease of Use 🔒 Complex configuration, regional restrictions ✅ Out-of-the-box, no tedious setup required
Open Source ❌ Closed-source, opaque internal mechanisms ✅ Fully open-source, auditable and modifiable code
Deployment ❌ No local deployment support ✅ Supports private deployment, full data control

This comparison table clearly demonstrates DeepSeek Cowork’s positioning: it is dedicated to ensuring everyone can access powerful AI assistance without worrying about high costs or technical hurdles.

Technical Choice: Why DeepSeek?

DeepSeek Cowork’s choice of DeepSeek as the underlying model is no accident; it is based on a profound insight into the current open-source ecosystem. DeepSeek finds the perfect balance between performance, cost, and openness:

  • Performance Baseline: Among open-source large models, DeepSeek provides a performance baseline capable of handling complex logic and tasks.
  • Extreme Cost-Effectiveness: The API pricing is the most competitive in the market. This means you can confidently let the AI run long-term tasks without constantly worrying about the bill.
  • Fully Open Source: It supports local deployment and secondary development, which is crucial for enterprises or developers who prioritize data privacy.

Our Philosophy: The Future of Open Source Models

Open source models will inevitably catch up to closed source.

This is not only the core philosophy of DeepSeek Cowork but also the driving force behind building this infrastructure. We believe it is only a matter of time before open-source models match their closed-source counterparts. Instead of waiting passively for that day, we act now. When the day comes that open-source capabilities are fully on par, DeepSeek Cowork will be ready as a mature, battle-tested infrastructure.

Why Is This Possible Now?

In the past, building a tool integrating browser automation, file system interaction, and complex context management was a task beyond the reach of individual developers. Two things have changed this:

  1. The Explosion of AI Coding: AI-assisted programming has drastically lowered R&D costs, enabling individual developers to build such complex applications.
  2. Engineering Bridging the Gap: Through refined prompt engineering, flexible skill systems, and sophisticated context management, we can significantly enhance user experience based on existing model capabilities via engineering methods.

What Can DeepSeek Cowork Do For You?

DeepSeek Cowork is not just an AI that writes code; it is more like a digital assistant on call 24/7. Through natural language, you can command it to complete various tedious daily tasks.

Three Core Capabilities

  1. 🌐 Browser Automation
    Imagine not needing to manually open webpages, click buttons, or copy and paste. DeepSeek Cowork can automatically open webpages, batch-fill forms, extract page data, and even perform cross-site operations between different sites.

  2. 📁 File Management
    The piles of files on your computer can be browsed, organized, and previewed by AI. It can understand your file structure and archive them according to your requirements.

  3. 🧠 Persistent Memory
    It doesn’t just remember the current conversation; through context management, it understands your long-term habits and preferences, getting to know you better the more you use it.

Typical Use Cases

To give you a more intuitive understanding of its utility, we have compiled some high-frequency usage scenarios:

Scenario Category Specific Examples
Information Gathering “Help me extract the latest price information from these 10 webpages and organize it into an Excel spreadsheet.”
Form Filling “I have this list of 100 people; please help me batch-fill them into the registration system.”
Content Organization “My downloads folder is too messy; please classify the files by type (images, documents, installers).”
Data Monitoring “Check this specific page every day, and notify me immediately if there is an update.”

💡 Experience Tip: It’s like hiring a 24/7 digital assistant, ready on demand and never tiring.

Technical Architecture: The Innovation of Hybrid SaaS

DeepSeek Cowork adopts a unique Hybrid SaaS architecture. This design cleverly fuses the convenience of cloud SaaS with the data security of local desktop applications.

Architecture Breakdown

Let’s understand how it runs through an architecture diagram:

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│                       User Computer                             │
│  ┌──────────────┐    ┌──────────────┐    ┌──────────────────┐  │
│  │   Electron   │    │   Browser    │    │   CLI Tool       │  │
│  │ Desktop App  │    │ (Chrome,     │    │ deepseek-cowork  │  │
│  │              │    │   Edge...)   │    │                  │  │
│  └──────┬───────┘    └──────┬───────┘    └────────┬─────────┘  │
│         │ IPC               │ HTTP/WS             │ Management │
│         └───────────────────┼─────────────────────┘            │
│                             ▼                                   │
│                    ┌────────────────┐                          │
│                    │  LocalService  │◄── All data stays local  │
│                    │  (Node.js)     │                          │
│                    └────────┬───────┘                          │
└─────────────────────────────┼───────────────────────────────────┘
                              │ Encrypted Transmission
                              ▼
                    ┌────────────────┐
                    │   Happy AI     │
                    │   (Cloud)      │
                    └────────────────┘

In this architecture, a core service named LocalService (based on Node.js) runs on your computer. It acts as a local processing center for the brain; all user data, settings, and file operations remain on your local machine and are never uploaded without permission.

  • Desktop Mode: When you use the Electron desktop app, it interacts with LocalService via IPC (Inter-Process Communication).
  • Web Mode: When you access via a browser, the browser connects to the local localhost:3333 port via HTTP or WebSocket.
  • CLI Mode: Developers or advanced users can manage the service directly from the terminal using the command-line tool.

The ApiAdapter layer acts as the traffic controller; it automatically detects the current runtime environment and routes API calls precisely to the correct channel.

Advantages of This Architecture

This design brings significant benefits:

Feature Advantage Description
Zero Server Cost The frontend interface consists of static files that can be hosted directly on GitHub Pages without the need to maintain complex backend infrastructure.
Data Privacy This is of utmost importance. All files, chat history, and personal settings are stored locally, truly realizing “data is an asset.”
Unified Experience Whether you open it in the desktop client or access it via a browser, the operational interface and experience are completely consistent.

Happy Integration: Security and Mobile Extension

DeepSeek Cowork is not an island; it deeply integrates with Happy—an open-source AI programming assistant for mobile and Web clients. This integration greatly expands the boundaries of DeepSeek Cowork’s usage.

Security Assurance

  • End-to-End Encryption: This is a core feature of Happy. All messages are encrypted locally before transmission. This means that even if data is in transit, it never appears in plain text and certainly does not leave your device unencrypted.

Control Anytime, Anywhere

  • Mobile Access: Through the Happy App (available for iOS and Android), you can monitor and operate AI tasks running on your computer from your phone anytime, anywhere.
  • Push Notifications: When the AI needs permission confirmation during a task or encounters an error, you will receive instant notifications on your phone, ensuring you never miss important information.

Open Source Trust

Happy is also a fully open-source project with auditable code. We promise not to include any telemetry or tracking features in DeepSeek Cowork.

Note: DeepSeek Cowork uses Happy’s account server for session management and cross-device encrypted synchronization, ensuring a consistent multi-device experience.

Core Component Analysis

DeepSeek Cowork is an organic combination of several powerful components, each with its specific role:

Component Description
Claude Code Integrated as the Agent kernel, possessing the full functionality of the original Claude Code, responsible for complex logical reasoning and code generation.
Happy Responsible for underlying AI session management, providing end-to-end encryption support and mobile App connectivity.
JS Eyes A browser extension that gives AI the “sight” and “hands” to operate webpages, responsible for controlling tabs, executing scripts, and extracting data.
Electron App Provides a cross-platform desktop user interface, integrating all the above components to provide a unified, friendly entry point.

Quick Start Guide

Having understood the background and principles, let’s get our hands dirty. Whether you are a developer or a general user, there is an entry path suitable for you.

Method 1: Running from Source (For Developers)

If you wish to view the source code or even contribute, you can clone the project directly from GitHub.

Prerequisites:

  • Node.js 18+
  • npm or yarn

Steps:

  1. Clone the Repository
    Open your terminal and execute the following command:

    git clone https://github.com/imjszhang/deepseek-cowork.git
cd deepseek-cowork

  2. Install Dependencies

    npm install

  3. Start the Application

    npm start

  4. Development Mode
    If you wish to perform secondary development, you can run development mode, which usually starts hot-reloading:

    npm run dev

Method 2: Web Version Usage (Hybrid SaaS Mode)

You don’t even need to install a desktop application; you can use the powerful features of DeepSeek Cowork directly in your browser.

Online Experience

Visit deepseek-cowork.com directly to experience the Web interface.

Local Environment Setup

To fully leverage local file operations and browser automation capabilities, you need to configure the local service.

  1. Install the CLI Tool
    We recommend installing the latest version of the CLI tool globally (current version: 0.1.24):

    npm install -g deepseek-cowork@0.1.24

  2. Start the Local Service
    You can choose to start in the foreground (easy to view logs) or background (daemon mode):

    # Start in background (Recommended)
deepseek-cowork start --daemon

  3. Open the Web Interface
    Once the service is started, execute the following command to automatically open the operation interface in your default browser:

    deepseek-cowork open

CLI Command Reference

The deepseek-cowork command-line tool is an important means of controlling the local service center. Here are the commands supported in the current version (0.1.24):

Command Description
deepseek-cowork start Starts the local service in the foreground; the terminal displays runtime logs.
deepseek-cowork start --daemon Starts the service in the background (daemon); closing the terminal does not affect operation.
deepseek-cowork stop Stops the currently running local service.
deepseek-cowork status Checks the current service status.
deepseek-cowork open Automatically opens the Web management interface in the browser.
deepseek-cowork config Views or edits the configuration file.
deepseek-cowork deploy Deploys skills to the working directory.
deepseek-cowork module Manages server modules.

Advanced Feature: Deploying Skills

You can deploy custom skills or built-in skills to your working directory to teach the AI specific tasks.

# Deploy built-in skills to the working directory
deepseek-cowork deploy

# Deploy using Chinese templates
deepseek-cowork deploy --lang zh

# Deploy custom skills from a specified path
deepseek-cowork deploy --from ./my-skill --target my-project

# View current deployment status
deepseek-cowork deploy status

Advanced Feature: Managing Modules

Besides skills, you can also manage the server’s functional modules.

# List all available modules
deepseek-cowork module list

# Deploy a specific module (e.g., demo-module)
deepseek-cowork module deploy demo-module

# Deploy custom modules from a local path
deepseek-cowork module deploy my-module --from ./my-module-source

# View the running status of deployed modules
deepseek-cowork module status

Building the Desktop Client

If you want a native desktop experience or need to use the interface offline, you can package DeepSeek Cowork as a standalone installer.

Build Commands

The project provides convenient packaging scripts:

# Package for the current operating system platform only
npm run build

# Package for a specific platform
npm run build:win    # Windows platform (Generates NSIS installer and portable version)
npm run build:mac    # macOS platform (Generates DMG, supports Intel chips and Apple Silicon)
npm run build:linux  # Linux platform (Generates AppImage, deb, rpm, etc.)

# Package for all platforms at once
npm run build:all

After packaging is complete, the installation files will be output to the dist/ directory of the project.

Version Management

The project follows Semantic Versioning. The current version number is V0.1.24.

If you need to update the version number after modifying the code, you can use the following npm scripts:

npm run version:patch   # 0.1.0 → 0.1.1 (For bug fixes)
npm run version:minor   # 0.1.0 → 0.2.0 (For new features)
npm run version:major   # 0.1.0 → 1.0.0 (For major changes or incompatible updates)

After executing the above commands, the version number will automatically sync updates to:

  • package.json: The single source of truth for the version number.
  • renderer/index.html: Automatically updates the interface display version during build.
  • Application Runtime: The application dynamically reads the current version from package.json.

Building the Web Version

If you need to deploy the Web frontend to your own server:

npm run build:web

The build artifacts will be output to the docs/app/ directory, which you can deploy to any static website hosting service (like GitHub Pages).

Browser Extension Setup: JS Eyes

DeepSeek Cowork’s powerful browser automation capabilities rely on the accompanying browser extension—JS Eyes. It acts as the “hands” and “eyes” of the AI, helping the AI execute actions in the browser.

Installation Steps

Please follow these steps to install JS Eyes in browsers like Chrome, Edge, or Firefox:

  1. Download Extension Source Code
    Go to the JS Eyes GitHub Repository to download and unzip the project files.

  2. Open Extension Management Page

    • Chrome: Enter chrome://extensions/ in the address bar.
    • Edge: Enter edge://extensions/ in the address bar.
    • Firefox: Enter about:debugging in the address bar (Firefox loading is slightly different, usually requiring loading a temporary add-on under “This Firefox”).

  3. Enable Developer Mode
    In the top right corner of the extension management page, find and toggle the “Developer mode” switch.

  4. Load the Extension
    Click the “Load unpacked” button, then select the extension folder corresponding to your browser in the downloaded JS Eyes project.

  5. Establish Connection
    Ensure the DeepSeek Cowork local service (deepseek-cowork start) is running. The JS Eyes extension will automatically detect and connect to the local service. At this point, your AI possesses the ability to control the browser.

Note: For detailed configuration instructions and advanced usage, please refer to the JS Eyes Documentation.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

To help you better understand and use DeepSeek Cowork, we have compiled some common questions and answers.

Q: Is DeepSeek Cowork completely free to use?
A: The DeepSeek Cowork software itself is completely open-source and free. However, since it calls the APIs of large models like DeepSeek, you need to bear the costs associated with API calls. Fortunately, thanks to DeepSeek’s highly competitive pricing strategy, this cost is typically far lower than using other closed-source commercial software.

Q: Is my data safe? Will it be uploaded to the cloud?
A: Under the Hybrid SaaS architecture, all your files, settings, and chat history are retained on your local computer via LocalService. Only encrypted instruction requests are sent to the AI model. Combined with Happy’s end-to-end encryption functionality, your privacy is protected to the greatest extent.

Q: I don’t know how to code; can I still use this tool?
A: Absolutely. DeepSeek Cowork is designed to let the AI do the work. You simply tell it in natural language what you want to do (e.g., “Organize this folder”), and it will automatically generate and execute scripts. While knowing how to program can help you customize more complex skills, it is not a barrier to entry for use.

Q: What is the difference between the Web version and the Desktop version? Which one should I choose?
A: Functionally, they are almost identical. The Desktop version (Electron) is better suited as a resident tool with higher system integration; the Web version is more lightweight and suitable for temporary use or environments where installing software is inconvenient.

Q: Why do I need to install a browser extension?
A: For security reasons, browsers do not allow webpages to directly control other tabs or read page content. Installing the JS Eyes extension grants DeepSeek Cowork this privilege, thereby enabling automated operations like form filling and data scraping.

Q: How do I configure the AI to perform specific tasks (like logging into a specific website)?
A: You can use the CLI command deepseek-cowork deploy to deploy or write custom “skills.” By writing specific prompt formats and scripts, you can teach the AI how to complete specific complex task workflows.

DeepSeek Cowork is not just a tool; it is a bold experiment in the open-source AI ecosystem. It proves that through ingenious architectural design and engineering optimization, we can build powerful AI assistants without sacrificing privacy or experience, and at extremely low cost. Whether you are a developer, a data analyst, or an ordinary user just looking to break free from tedious repetitive labor, DeepSeek Cowork is worth a try.