Show HN:Another alternative against Codex Record and Replay

Visual Build launched Automation Skill Builder (ASB), a tool that records desktop workflows and packages them into AI-callable skills via the Model Context Protocol. The platform runs fully offline, deterministic, and local-first, offering an alternative to Codex Record and Replay with free tier of 1,000 calls per month.

See ASB in action Watch: fetch Amazon iPhone prices into a CSV file — recorded in ASB, compiled into a reusable skill, zero manual steps. visualbuild.me · Automation Skill Builder Use AI to capture and structure your workflows. What runs is pure logic — deterministic, local-first, and reusable across every assistant. Design time Watch: fetch Amazon iPhone prices into a CSV file — recorded in ASB, compiled into a reusable skill, zero manual steps. 20 min A 12-step SAP data export — recorded, packaged, and invokable in under 20 minutes 3 run modes Standalone executables, AI-callable skills, and scheduled jobs — one build, same execution 0 cloud calls Core automation runs fully offline — no API key needed at runtime WHY ASB Models reason about tasks, yet they cannot click, type, or drive your desktop without a bridge. Classic RPA is heavy to build, fragile when UI changes, and expensive to maintain. Package workflows into AI-callable skills through MCP — the same path as Cursor and other assistants. CORE CAPABILITIES Eight capabilities, one runtime. Build once, reuse across every assistant. Control and operate desktop applications. Automate web tasks and extract data. Connect services with structured requests. Extract text and structure from screens and files. Expose skills to assistants via MCP. Version and reuse automations as skills. Run on your machine with local-first privacy. Chain steps into reliable automations. TYPICAL SCENARIOS FINANCE Generate reports and data dashboards ERP Automated ERP data processing ACCOUNTING Extract and process invoice data DATA Collect website data and content COMMS Automated email workflows RPA Reproduce and monitor RPA flows From recording to MCP exposure — every stage visible in the UI. Execution stays on your hardware. Logs and records for review. Tighten upstream AI proxy access. Core automation without mandatory cloud. Guardrails for vision paths and tools. SUBSCRIPTION LICENSE Each time an AI assistant invokes a skill via MCP, that counts as 1 call. A typical automation run uses around 20–30 calls. Start free — no credit card needed. Every account gets 1,000 calls per month at no cost, resetting on the 1st of each month your local time . When you're ready to do more, upgrade any time. FREE $0 1,000 calls / month ≈ 33–50 skill runs / month STARTER $9 / mo 5,000 calls / month ≈ 165–250 skill runs / month PRO $29 / mo 20,000 calls / month ≈ 665–1,000 skill runs / month GROWTH $99 / mo 100,000 calls / month ≈ 3,300–5,000 skill runs / month ENTERPRISE Custom Volume · SLA · deployment & integrations Typical run: 20–30 calls. A skill with loops or retries may use more. Add-on: +1,000 calls one-time for $2 · All prices USD before tax Short answers; the manual remains authoritative for operational detail. Two lanes—so expectations stay clear whether you are evaluating, self-hosting, or running under a commercial agreement. The software may be used and inspected according to its license and repository terms. Documentation, issues, and community discussion where offered are provided without warranty . Community support is best-effort — driven by fellow users and the maintainer when possible. It’s ideal for exploring, learning, and running personal or internal projects. For teams that need faster answers or hands-on help, professional support is available separately. For organizations that need onboarding , priority help , custom integrations , security review assistance , or deployment hardening , commercial support may be available from the maintainer or partners. Scope, channels, and SLAs are defined in a separate agreement—not on this marketing page. Contact your vendor or project owner for entitlement and pricing. Billing and subscriptions: info@visualbuild.me mailto:info@visualbuild.me Technical and product issues: dev@visualbuild.me mailto:dev@visualbuild.me