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

# exe.dev

> Run Ref agents on your own always-on exe.dev cloud machine.

An [exe.dev](https://exe.dev) box is a persistent Linux VM you reach over SSH. Paired with Ref, it works like a laptop that's always on: Ref launches Claude Code on it from any ref, using your own login.

## Set up an exe.dev box

**1. Create the box**

Run `ssh exe.dev` and follow the prompts to sign up and choose a plan. Then create a box and connect:

```bash theme={null}
ssh exe.dev new --name my-box
ssh my-box.exe.xyz
```

If the short host form fails, use the username form: `ssh vm+my-box@vm.exe.xyz`.

**2. Sign in to your agent**

The default `exeuntu` image ships `claude` and `codex` preinstalled. Update Claude with `sudo exeuntu update claude`.

Run `claude` and sign in with your Claude subscription (open the printed URL on your own computer). For Codex over SSH, run `codex login --device-auth` (beta; turn on device code login in your ChatGPT security settings first). Clone your repo onto the box.

> [!WARNING]
>
> Don't use exe.dev's LLM gateway (`ANTHROPIC_BASE_URL=https://llm.int.exe.xyz`) for Ref-driven runs. Ref clears `ANTHROPIC_*` variables when it starts Claude Code, so it uses your Claude Code sign-in.

**1. Install Ref**

```bash theme={null}
curl -fsSL https://api.plan.ref.tools/plugins/install/remote-agent | bash
```

Over SSH it prints a pairing URL: open it on your own computer and approve. With no terminal (scripts), set `REF_API_KEY` first. Needs `claude` or `codex` on `PATH`; Linux x86\_64 and arm64 are supported.

**2. Enable your repo**

From the repo on the box:

```bash theme={null}
ref launch enable --repo my-repo=$(pwd)
```

This installs the systemd user unit `~/.config/systemd/user/ref-daemon.service` and enables linger so it survives reboots. If it prints `sudo loginctl enable-linger <user>`, run that.

If systemd isn't available, re-running the installer restarts its keepalive after a reboot.

**3. Check it**

The box appears under Agent settings in Ref, named by its hostname. Ask a ref's agent to launch a Task on it.

> [!NOTE]
>
> Codex and OpenCode over ACP are rolling out; today Ref drives Claude Code on paired machines for most accounts.

## Get help

If you have any issues, please reach out to `help@ref.tools`. We're happy to help you get started!


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