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Best sandboxes for local coding agents

Answer in brief

For local coding agents, our top picks are Docker Sandboxes, Microsandbox and Anthropic Sandbox Runtime. We weight isolation strength, filesystem and network controls, and friction on a developer machine.

By the Agent Sandboxes editors · Updated

What local coding agents need from a sandbox

Coding agents such as Claude Code, Codex or Gemini CLI often run on a developer’s laptop with access to their files and credentials. A local sandbox should:

  • Restrict filesystem writes to the project.
  • Enforce deny-by-default network with an allowlist.
  • Keep credentials out of the agent’s reach where possible.
  • Add little friction, so developers actually use it.

Best sandboxes for local coding agents, ranked

  1. Docker Sandboxes

    Docker’s `sbx` CLI for running AI coding agents in microVM sandboxes on your machine, with an experimental Docker-hosted cloud.

    • MicroVM
    • Self-hostable
    • GPU
    • Pause/resume

    Why it’s here: A microVM per agent with its own Docker Engine, deny-by-default networking and host-side credential injection; templates for popular coding agents; free locally.

    Full profile →Website ↗

  2. Microsandbox

    Open-source, local-first microVM runtime that gives each sandbox its own Linux kernel, with an optional managed cloud.

    • MicroVM (libkrun)
    • Open source
    • Self-hostable
    • BYOC
    • Snapshots

    Why it’s here: Open-source microVMs on macOS, Linux and Windows with network policy and placeholder secrets.

    Full profile →Website ↗

  3. Anthropic Sandbox Runtime

    Open-source CLI and library (`srt`) that restricts filesystem and network access for any local process at the OS level, without a container or VM.

    • OS-level (Seatbelt / bubblewrap)
    • Open source
    • Self-hostable

    Why it’s here: Near-zero-overhead OS-level sandbox (Seatbelt/bubblewrap) with a deny-by-default network proxy; weaker boundary than a VM.

    Full profile →Website ↗

Side by side

SandboxIsolationOpen sourceSelf-host / BYOCCold start (vendor)Max sessionSnapshots / pauseGPUSDKs
Docker SandboxesMicroVMNoYes / NoNot documentedUntil removed (local)Yes / YesYessbx CLI, TypeScript (cloud), REST API (cloud)
MicrosandboxMicroVM (libkrun)YesYes / Yes<100 msNot documentedYes / Not documentedNoTypeScript, Python, Rust, Go, Ruby, CLI, MCP server
Anthropic Sandbox RuntimeOS-level (Seatbelt / bubblewrap)YesYes / Not documentedProcess startNot documentedNo / NoNot documentedCLI (srt), TypeScript (npm)

Frequently asked questions

How do I sandbox Claude Code or Codex on my laptop?
Run the agent inside a microVM (Docker Sandboxes or Microsandbox) or wrap it with an OS-level sandbox such as Anthropic’s open-source sandbox runtime, restricting writes to the project directory and network access to an allowlist.

Cite this page

Agent Sandboxes. (2026). Best sandboxes for local coding agents. agentsandboxes.org. Last reviewed November 8, 2026. https://agentsandboxes.org/best/local-agents/

Found an error or a missing sandbox? Submit a correction — every entry links to the sources it relies on.