Overview
- Astropad released Workbench as a remote desktop tool purpose-built to monitor and control autonomous AI agents on Macs, a need that has grown with users running agents on compact machines like Mac minis.
- The first version ships with native apps for Mac, iPad, and iPhone, letting users hop between multiple Macs with a device chooser and check logs, outputs, and stalled tasks from a phone or tablet.
- Workbench streams the Mac desktop using Astropad’s LIQUID protocol, which the company says delivers low-latency, Retina-quality visuals with a unified virtual display and an on-screen mini-map for fast navigation.
- Users can dictate prompts with voice and work with familiar inputs like keyboard, mouse, touch, and Apple Pencil, which suits both agent control and creative workflows.
- The app is free for 20 minutes per day, with unlimited access at $10 per month or $50 per year, requires macOS 15 and iOS 26, includes AES-256 encryption with no saved display recordings per the company, and a roadmap promises Windows and Linux support and further iPhone polish.