Nova Act - Python SDK Analysis

Overview Nova Act is an experimental SDK from Amazon that enables developers to build browser automation agents. It combines natural language instructions with direct browser manipulation capabilities. Key Features Hybrid Automation Approach: Combines natural language instructions (act() method) with direct Playwright browser control Allows breaking complex workflows into smaller, more reliable steps Information Extraction: Supports structured data extraction using Pydantic models Includes convenience schemas like BOOL_SCHEMA for simple yes/no questions Parallel Execution: Enables running multiple browser sessions concurrently using ThreadPoolExecutor Useful for tasks like scraping multiple pages simultaneously Authentication Handling: Supports persistent browser state through Chrome user data directories Allows pre-authenticated sessions Sensitive Data Handling: Recommends using Playwright APIs directly for password entry Provides warnings about screenshot collection of sensitive information Technical Implementation Built on Playwright for browser automation Requires Python 3.10+ Supports MacOS and Ubuntu Uses temporary directories for isolated browser sessions by default Best Practices Prompt Design: Be prescriptive and specific in instructions Break large tasks into smaller steps Avoid high-level, vague prompts Error Handling: Check matches_schema when using structured responses Handle potential schema mismatches gracefully Performance: First run requires Playwright browser installation (1-2 minutes) Subsequent runs start quickly Limitations Currently doesn't support IPython Cannot interact with non-browser applications Struggles with hidden elements (mouseover menus) Doesn't handle browser window dialogs Early research preview with many expected limitations Use Cases The SDK demonstrates several practical applications: E-commerce workflows: Product search and cart operations Order history management Data Collection: Scraping structured data from websites Aggregating information from multiple sources Task Automation: Food ordering Travel booking Research tasks Security Considerations API keys must be protected Sensitive data should be entered via Playwright, not natural language prompts Screenshots may capture sensitive information visible in the browser Includes Acceptable Use Policy requirements Comparison to Alternatives Compared to other automation tools: More structured than pure Playwright scripting More controllable than end-to-end LLM automation Combines benefits of programmatic control with natural language flexibility Getting Started Basic requirements: Python 3.10+ MacOS or Ubuntu API key from nova.amazon.com/act Installation: pip install nova-act The SDK particularly suited for developers who need to automate web-based workflows while maintaining control over the automation process. Its hybrid approach offers a balance between flexibility and reliability that could make it useful for prototyping and certain production use cases. Would you like me to help you using the Nova Act SDK?

Apr 18, 2025 - 11:06

Overview

Nova Act is an experimental SDK from Amazon that enables developers to build browser automation agents. It combines natural language instructions with direct browser manipulation capabilities.

Key Features

Hybrid Automation Approach:
- Combines natural language instructions (act() method) with direct Playwright browser control
- Allows breaking complex workflows into smaller, more reliable steps
Information Extraction:
- Supports structured data extraction using Pydantic models
- Includes convenience schemas like BOOL_SCHEMA for simple yes/no questions
Parallel Execution:
- Enables running multiple browser sessions concurrently using ThreadPoolExecutor
- Useful for tasks like scraping multiple pages simultaneously
Authentication Handling:
- Supports persistent browser state through Chrome user data directories
- Allows pre-authenticated sessions
Sensitive Data Handling:
- Recommends using Playwright APIs directly for password entry
- Provides warnings about screenshot collection of sensitive information

Technical Implementation

Built on Playwright for browser automation
Requires Python 3.10+
Supports MacOS and Ubuntu
Uses temporary directories for isolated browser sessions by default

Best Practices

Prompt Design:
- Be prescriptive and specific in instructions
- Break large tasks into smaller steps
- Avoid high-level, vague prompts
Error Handling:
- Check matches_schema when using structured responses
- Handle potential schema mismatches gracefully
Performance:
- First run requires Playwright browser installation (1-2 minutes)
- Subsequent runs start quickly

Limitations

Currently doesn't support IPython
Cannot interact with non-browser applications
Struggles with hidden elements (mouseover menus)
Doesn't handle browser window dialogs
Early research preview with many expected limitations

Use Cases

The SDK demonstrates several practical applications:

E-commerce workflows:
- Product search and cart operations
- Order history management
Data Collection:
- Scraping structured data from websites
- Aggregating information from multiple sources
Task Automation:
- Food ordering
- Travel booking
- Research tasks

Security Considerations

API keys must be protected
Sensitive data should be entered via Playwright, not natural language prompts
Screenshots may capture sensitive information visible in the browser
Includes Acceptable Use Policy requirements

Comparison to Alternatives

Compared to other automation tools:

More structured than pure Playwright scripting
More controllable than end-to-end LLM automation
Combines benefits of programmatic control with natural language flexibility

Getting Started

Basic requirements:

Python 3.10+
MacOS or Ubuntu
API key from nova.amazon.com/act

Installation:

pip install nova-act

The SDK particularly suited for developers who need to automate web-based workflows while maintaining control over the automation process. Its hybrid approach offers a balance between flexibility and reliability that could make it useful for prototyping and certain production use cases.

Would you like me to help you using the Nova Act SDK?