> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.openhands.dev/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Process Sandbox

> Run the agent server as a local process without container isolation.

The **Process sandbox** runs the agent server directly on your machine as a
regular process.

<Warning>
  This mode provides **no sandbox isolation**.

  The agent can read/write files your user account can access and execute
  commands on your host system.

  Only use this in controlled environments.
</Warning>

## When to use it

* Local development when Docker is unavailable
* Some CI environments
* Debugging issues that only reproduce outside containers

## Choosing process mode

In some deployments, this is selected via the legacy <code>RUNTIME</code>
environment variable:

```bash theme={null}
export RUNTIME=process
# (legacy alias)
# export RUNTIME=local
```

If you are unsure, prefer the [Docker Sandbox](/openhands/usage/sandboxes/docker).