The field of artificial intelligence has taken another significant step forward with the introduction of Manus 1.5 and its counterpart, Manus-1.5-Lite, the latest agentic AI systems from Manus.[1][2] The release marks a notable evolution in the company's offerings, presenting what it claims is its most capable and efficient AI agent to date.[1][2] Positioned to compete in an increasingly dynamic and crowded market, Manus 1.5 is engineered to handle complex, multi-step tasks with a level of autonomy that moves beyond simple conversational AI. The system is designed not just to respond to prompts, but to plan, reason, and execute goals across various digital environments, reflecting a broader industry trend toward more sophisticated and autonomous AI agents.[3][4] This launch introduces a dual-model strategy, with the full-powered Manus 1.5 aimed at professional users and a more accessible Lite version intended to broaden the technology's reach.[2]

At the core of the Manus 1.5 debut are substantial improvements in performance and efficiency, driven by a completely re-architected engine.[2] According to the company's internal benchmarks, this new architecture has dramatically reduced task processing times, cutting the average completion from approximately 15 minutes down to just under four minutes.[1][5][2] This nearly four-fold increase in speed makes the system more practical for day-to-day workflows, shifting the user experience from a "coffee break" pace to one that aligns with near-real-time interaction.[5] Alongside the speed enhancements, Manus reports a 15 percent improvement in the quality of its outputs on internal tests, suggesting that the new engine enhances not only speed but also reliability and the successful completion of complex tasks that might have previously failed.[1][5][2] Furthermore, the system now features an expanded context window, allowing it to maintain coherence and recall details over longer and more intricate workflows, a crucial factor for tackling sophisticated projects.[2]

Perhaps the most significant new capability introduced in Manus 1.5 is its ability to function as a full-stack application developer from a single conversational prompt.[6][2] This feature distinguishes it from many "AI website builders" by handling not just the front-end code but the entire infrastructure of a web application.[2] Manus claims the agent can build, test, and refine complete web apps, including setting up persistent backends, databases, and user authentication systems, all within its platform.[1][6] According to co-founder Tao Zhang, this was achieved not by creating a siloed "website builder" feature, but by enhancing the core platform's mastery over a new, complex domain.[1] This integrated approach allows the agent to manage an entire value chain within a single context, from conducting initial research and generating content to building the application, analyzing user interaction data, and creating presentations based on its findings.[2]

With the launch of Manus 1.5 and Manus-1.5-Lite, the company is implementing a strategic approach to market penetration. The full version is reserved for subscribers, offering the complete suite of advanced capabilities and performance.[1] In contrast, Manus-1.5-Lite is designed as a more streamlined and cost-efficient option open to everyone, lowering the barrier to entry for users who may not require the full power of the flagship model.[1][2][7] This dual offering allows Manus to cater to both high-end enterprise clients and a broader base of individual users and smaller teams. Underscoring its enterprise ambitions, Microsoft has integrated Manus into its agent suite for Windows, a significant vote of confidence that places the agentic system within a major enterprise ecosystem.[1] This move, combined with the introduction of collaborative features that allow teams to work together in a shared session with the AI, signals Manus's focus on becoming an integral tool for professional workflows.[5][2]

The debut of Manus 1.5 arrives at a time when agentic AI is rapidly moving from a novel concept to a core enterprise capability.[8] The ability of AI systems to autonomously plan and execute tasks is seen as a key driver of productivity gains, with some companies reporting efficiency increases of 25 to 40 percent.[8] Manus, a startup founded in 2022 with Chinese roots and significant venture capital funding, is positioning itself as a key innovator in this space.[4][9][10] The new release challenges established models by offering a broader scope of capabilities than specialized agents focused solely on tasks like coding.[11] By enabling complex workflows like full application development and deep research within a single, faster platform, Manus 1.5 represents a tangible step toward a future where AI agents function less like tools and more like autonomous digital colleagues, capable of managing entire projects from conception to completion.[12]