What is agent sandbox?
An isolated, disposable compute environment where an AI agent can run code, use tools and touch files without risking the host or other users.
Agent sandbox in agent sandboxes
An agent sandbox gives a language-model agent a place to act: run the code it writes, install packages, read and write files, start servers and browse — while keeping that activity contained. The core properties are isolation (a mistake or attack stays inside), programmatic control (create, run, snapshot and destroy through an API or SDK) and speed (start in well under a few seconds so the agent loop is not blocked).
Hosted sandboxes are sold by providers such as E2B, Daytona, Modal and Vercel; open-source projects let you run the same pattern on your own infrastructure.
Cite this page
Agent Sandboxes. (2026). What is agent sandbox?. agentsandboxes.org. Last reviewed November 8, 2026. https://agentsandboxes.org/glossary/agent-sandbox/
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