Boxes.dev - Ditch localhost; run Claude Code and Codex in the cloud

What it does

Boxes.dev is a cloud-based development environment that gives each coding agent (Claude Code or Codex) its own full Linux VM in the cloud. It automatically migrates your local dev environment to a cloud devbox, then lets you fork that devbox for each task. Each fork has its own filesystem, services, ports, and database state, so agents can run in parallel without interference. You can manage agents from desktop (macOS), mobile (iOS, Android), or CLI, and agents keep running even when you close your laptop.

Who it is for

Boxes.dev is built for developers who use Claude Code or Codex extensively and want to run multiple agents in parallel, leave them working overnight, or manage them from a phone or tablet. It's also aimed at teams rolling out cloud coding agents, with features like SSO, SCIM, RBAC, audit logs, and spend controls.

Why it matters

Traditional local development ties agents to your machine—close the laptop, agents stop. Boxes.dev decouples agent execution from your local environment, enabling true parallel, persistent, and remote agent workflows. It solves the isolation problem that git worktrees or simple cloud terminals don't: each agent gets a full computer, not just a checkout. This allows agents to run full apps, change dependencies, and test without affecting each other.

Launch signal

Boxes.dev launched on Hacker News as a Show HN post titled "Show HN: Boxes.dev: ditch localhost; run Claude Code and Codex in the cloud." The website is live with a free trial (10 box-hours), paid plans starting at $19/user/month, and team plans with custom pricing. The product is available for macOS, iOS, Android, and CLI.

Brand and naming

The name "Boxes.dev" is straightforward and descriptive: "boxes" refers to the cloud VMs (devboxes), and ".dev" signals the developer audience. The tagline "ditch localhost" is memorable and directly states the value proposition. The brand positions itself as a workbench for serious agent work, emphasizing parallelism, isolation, and mobile control.