web operator.md

Web Operator

The Web Operator action is a specialized action within the AI tool that allows you to interact with a remote browser instance by talking to Yedric. With it, you can log into a system, extract data, or take actions directly in the browser, and then turn that flow into an automation.

Configure

Extracting Data Example

The following tutorial explains how to use the Web Operator via Gmail to automate gathering the 10 most recent emails from your inbox.

{% embed url="https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/bnpj0Q6XVg0?rel=0" %}

Setup

{% stepper %} {% step %} Add the Web Operator step to your workflow. {% endstep %}

{% step %} Click the Build Web Operator instructions with Yedric button within the Web Operator step to launch Yedric. {% endstep %}

{% step %} Tell Yedric exactly what you want to do in the service you're using.

{% step %} Use the browser session Yedric creates to log in to the service. {% endstep %}

{% step %} Once logged in, tell Yedric to continue. {% endstep %}

{% hint style="info" %} Slow load times should be expected as Yedric processes the output. Refer to the Technical Notes below for more details. {% endhint %}

{% step %} After Yedric provides your results, review them to ensure that all of the information is accurate. {% endstep %}

{% step %} Once you've confirmed Yedric has provided accurate results based on your instructions, tell Yedric to "save this as an automation." {% endstep %}

{% step %} After Yedric confirms the automation has been saved, you should see your Web Operator step has been updated with the instructions.

You can edit the instructions in the Web Operator step at any time. {% endstep %}

{% step %} Save your workflow and begin a manual run to see how the results of this process will be automated going forward!

The data from the automation will be available in your workflow as variables. {% endstep %} {% endstepper %}

Submitting a Form Example

The following tutorial explains how to use the Web Operator to submit a form in an automation.

{% embed url="https://www.youtube.com/embed/viZC9jHmBTA?rel=0" %}

Setup

{% stepper %} {% step %} Add the Web Operator step to your workflow. {% endstep %}

{% step %} Click the Build Web Operator instructions with Yedric button within the Web Operator step to launch Yedric. {% endstep %}

{% step %} Tell Yedric exactly what you want to do.

{% step %} Yedric will create a browser session, but you will not need to use it. {% endstep %}

{% step %} Wait for Yedric to finish analyzing the page. {% endstep %}

{% step %} After Yedric provides your results, review them to ensure that all of the information is accurate. {% endstep %}

{% step %} Once you've confirmed Yedric has provided accurate results based on your instructions, tell Yedric to "save this as an automation." {% endstep %}

{% step %} After Yedric confirms the automation has been saved, you should see your Web Operator step has been updated with the instructions.

You can edit the instructions in the Web Operator step to reference any data that's available via variables from steps prior to the Web Operator in the workflow. {% endstep %}

{% step %} Save your workflow and begin a manual run to see how the results of this process will be automated going forward! {% endstep %}

{% step %} If you're using the Form in another workflow, verify that it was submitted based on your Web Operator step processing. {% endstep %} {% endstepper %}

What to do with a Connection Error

{% embed url="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-2kqEPVbzls?rel=0" %}

{% stepper %} {% step %} If your Web Operator has run and did not complete the expected outcome, it's best to check the connection. {% endstep %}

{% step %} Navigate to My Account from your profile icon in the MESA dashboard and select the Connections tab. {% endstep %}

{% step %} Select the connection that your Web Operator is using (it will look like the AI step icon). {% endstep %}

{% step %} With the connection modal open, click the Take me to login button and log in to the service you're using with the Web Operator. {% endstep %}

{% step %} Save your changes to update the connection for Web Operator. {% endstep %} {% endstepper %}

Going Further

When to use the Web Operator

The Web Operator should be used when you need to take actions in a service that requires logging in, and:

In these cases, we use AI to automate actions as if it were you interacting with the tool directly in a browser. Because of this, there must be some kind of user interface involved, such as a dashboard, admin panel, or web app, where actions can be performed after logging in.

When NOT to use the Web Operator

The Web Operator should not be used if you do not need to log into a service and are simply trying to extract data.

Better alternatives for these instances include:

In short, the Web Operator is primarily designed for logged-in, dashboard-based workflows where you need to take actions inside a web UI that cannot be accessed through an API.

Best Practices

There are a few key factors that will get you the best results with the Web Operator action:

{% hint style="info" %} If the action cannot be completed (most commonly due to login issues), we treat the automation as a failed run and surface an error. {% endhint %}

Technical Notes

Performance and Timing Expectations

Because the Web Operator is using AI to visually navigate, analyze, and interact with a live browser, some steps, such as extracting data, analyzing pages, or determining next actions, can take a bit of time. It is normal for certain operations to take up to a minute or more while the AI figures out what to do next.

You should expect this and be patient during these steps. This is not a traditional API call; it’s AI reasoning through a real interface.

Logging in to Third-Party Services

For privacy protection, do not prompt Yedric to automate the login process for your Web Operator by providing login details (usernames, emails, passwords, etc.). You should manually add your login credentials via the browser instance that's generated each time you use the Web Operator.