What is boxd?
boxd provides developers, engineering teams, and applications for AI agents with access to persistent Linux virtual machines, each functioning with its own kernel and offering features like SSH access, a public HTTPS address, and persistent disk storage. This setup allows for the execution of software that demands a full computing environment, incorporating tools such as Docker, systemd, and long-running agents, all within a secure and isolated framework. Users can fork a live machine along with its memory and disk state, which facilitates experimentation with different approaches without needing to recreate the entire environment from scratch; additionally, idle machines can enter a hibernation mode that retains their disk state. Management of these virtual machines is made simple through SSH, a command-line interface, an API, and SDKs available in both Python and TypeScript. Organizations can seamlessly integrate with tools like GitHub, Linear, and Slack to enhance team collaboration. boxd can function as a managed cloud service with a base in Frankfurt or be self-hosted on Linux infrastructures that support KVM, with free deployment options for setups up to 16 vCPUs. Practical implementations of boxd include cloud development environments, AI-agent testing platforms, background coding assistants, and staging environments for previews. This adaptability not only makes it a valuable asset for teams aiming to improve their development workflows but also supports diverse use cases across various industries.