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Every box is a Linux VM with a curated set of tools available from the moment you SSH in. Nothing to install before you start working.

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Pre-installed tools

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AI & automation

ToolDescription
claudeClaude Code CLI — AI coding assistant
codexOpenAI Codex CLI
hostExpose localhost services to the internet
luxDesktop and browser automation
asciiAscii workspace tools

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Languages & runtimes

ToolDescription
node / npmNode.js and npm
bunBun JavaScript runtime
python3Python 3
uvFast Python package runner / project manager
goGo toolchain
rustc / cargoRust compiler and package manager

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Version control

ToolDescription
gitGit
ghGitHub CLI — PR creation, issue management, etc.

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Utilities

ToolDescription
rgripgrep — fast code search
jqJSON processor
curlHTTP client
dockerContainer runtime (available on supported images)
chromeHeadless Chromium
ffmpegMedia processing

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Desktop access

Every box has a browser-based desktop stream. Open it with: 
box desktop bx_f7k2q9hd
Useful for tools that need a GUI — browsers, Electron apps, visual debugging.

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SSH access

Boxes accept connections over standard SSH. The CLI manages your key automatically at ~/.ssh/ascii_box_ed25519, but you can also retrieve the private key for use with external tools: 
# CLI-managed (easiest)
box ssh bx_f7k2q9hd

# Manual — get the private key
box info bx_f7k2q9hd  # shows IP and SSH user

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Port forwarding

Forward any port from the box to your local machine: 
box forward bx_f7k2q9hd --remote 3000
See CLI Reference for full options.