CopyCat – AI-Powered Browser Automation for All

This podcast introduces CopyCat, a newly launched no-code platform designed for building browser automations. Developed by Zyad, Graham, and Abhi, CopyCat aims to simplify complex web tasks by combining AI prompts with reliable step-by-step actions. The creators developed the platform out of their frustrations with needing to write extensive and brittle code for repetitive browser activities in a previous venture. CopyCat allows users to automate tasks in the cloud, offering features like iteration capabilities for handling multiple data points, and it includes a free tier for new users. The discussion also touches on credit usage based on browser minutes, proxy usage, and large language model (LLM) steps.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is CopyCat?

CopyCat is a no-code platform designed for building browser automations. It allows users to automate any web task by combining AI prompts with reliable step-by-step actions, eliminating the need for extensive coding.

What problem does CopyCat aim to solve?

The founders of CopyCat, Zyad, Graham, and Abhi, developed the platform out of their frustrations with traditional browser automation methods. While building a previous company in the restaurant space, they faced significant challenges writing and maintaining browser scripts for tasks like extracting menus from DoorDash or interacting with Point-of-Sale sites, especially when APIs were unavailable. These scripts were often “brittle” (prone to breaking) and difficult to manage, leading to a desire for a “better way” to automate web tasks.

How does CopyCat work?

CopyCat utilizes a user-friendly editor where individuals can add specific steps like “Go to this URL” or “Click this button.” It also integrates AI prompts, allowing the AI to handle more complex tasks such as “Login using these credentials.” Users can configure browser settings (e.g., incognito mode), set up triggers, and then run their automations in the cloud. The platform also supports “structure” steps like “If/Else” and “For Each” for complex, iterative tasks.

What are some real-world applications of CopyCat?

CopyCat is being used in production for a variety of tasks, including:

• Scraping ownership information of LLCs from outdated government websites.
• Uploading freight invoices into legacy Transportation Management Systems (TMS).
• Entering patient information into insurance portals based on doctor appointment transcriptions.

Does CopyCat support complex, iterative automations?

Yes, CopyCat is designed to handle complex, iterative tasks. For example, if a user wants to find 100 people on social media who solved a particular problem, they can use CopyCat’s “Go to URL” block to navigate to the site, then the “Get List of Child Elements” block to retrieve the relevant elements, and finally, a “For Each” block to execute a series of steps for each item in the list.

How are credits consumed on CopyCat?

Credits on CopyCat are consumed based on several factors, including:

• Browser minutes: Each minute the browser runs during an automation costs 20 credits.
• Proxy usage: If proxy services are enabled, they will consume credits.
• LLM (Large Language Model) steps: Actions that utilize AI prompts will also incur credit usage. Credits are charged after each CopyCat automation run.

Is there a free tier available for CopyCat?

Yes, CopyCat has launched a free tier, specifically mentioned for Product Hunt users, and includes a smooth onboarding process to guide new users through their first automation.

Can CopyCat run automations on a local browser?

The provided information does not explicitly state whether CopyCat works on a local browser. The description mentions that users can “Run your automation in the cloud!”, suggesting a cloud-based execution model.

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