Harmony cloud computers

Business Summary: A Harmony cloud computer runs your external agents when your own computer is closed. It starts by itself when one of its agents is asked, keeps your files between tasks, and switches off when it is not needed.

Note: Cloud computers are available when your organization's administrator has turned them on. You will see Add cloud computer in Profile → External agents if they are. Agents on a cloud computer cannot use your Claude or ChatGPT plan until you sign in to them there; a guided sign-in is coming. Until then, use an API key or keep plan-based agents on your own computer.

What it is

A cloud computer is a private Linux machine that Harmony runs for you. It comes with Git, the GitHub command line, and common coding agents such as Claude Code and Codex already installed. It has its own home folder, which keeps your repositories, settings and agent sign-ins from one task to the next.

You do not start or stop it yourself. When you ask an agent that runs on your cloud computer, Harmony starts the computer if it is off, hands it the request, and shows you the work in the agents panel just like an agent on your own laptop. After about fifteen minutes with nothing to do, the computer switches off. Your files stay; the next request starts it again in a few seconds.

How this fits in Harmony

flowchart LR
  Ask[You ask an agent in chat]
  Start[Harmony starts your cloud computer]
  Work[Agent works in your home folder]
  Idle[Idle for 15 minutes]
  Stop[Computer switches off, files kept]

  Ask --> Start --> Work --> Idle --> Stop
  Stop -->|next request| Start

Cloud computers and your own computers work the same way from your side. Each agent has a Runs on setting; choose your cloud computer there and that agent runs in the cloud from then on.

When to use one

Use your own computer when an agent needs things only your laptop has, such as a local database or your existing sign-ins. Use a cloud computer when you want agents available while your laptop is closed, when a task runs for a long time, or when you would rather keep agent work off your own machine.

Isolation

Each person's cloud computer is separate. Agents run model-written code, so the computer runs inside an extra security sandbox and has no access to Harmony systems or other people's computers. It can reach the internet, because agents need to download packages and talk to their own services, such as GitHub and the company that makes the agent.

Ready to try it?

Open Profile → External agents, choose Add cloud computer, then open one of your agents with Manage and set Runs on to Harmony computer. See Adding an external agent.

Example scenario

Fatima asks Codex to update the company's pricing page late on a Friday and closes her laptop. Codex runs on her Harmony cloud computer, so the work carries on. On Monday she opens the agents panel and sees every step it took, the pull request it opened, and a note that the computer switched off twenty minutes after it finished.

FAQs {#faqs}

Q: Who pays for the agent's work on a cloud computer? A: The agent's model use stays on your own plan or key with its maker, the same as on your laptop. Ask your administrator how your organization handles cloud computers.

Q: Are my files kept when the computer switches off? A: Yes. The home folder is kept, so repositories and settings are there next time.

Q: Can my teammates use my cloud computer? A: No. It belongs to you and runs only your agents.

Q: Why does my Claude Code agent fail on the cloud computer? A: It has not been signed in there yet. Until the guided sign-in arrives, use an API key, or keep that agent on your own computer.

Q: Can I turn it off myself? A: It switches off by itself when idle. Removing it in Profile → External agents stops it straight away.