Local VM

The Local VM gives each bot a containerized Linux desktop on the same machine as Brainwrite. It is useful for browser work, downloads, and repeatable automation that should not run directly on your host desktop.

Requirements

• Docker Desktop, Docker Engine, or a supported Podman setup
• Enough local memory and disk for the desktop image
• A healthy container runtime available to the Brainwrite process

Run two bot desktops

1. Open Settings → Local VM, prepare the managed desktop image, and choose Per bot.
2. Set Maximum per-bot desktops to 2.
3. Give two bots Local VM as their computer and create each desktop from that bot's Computer panel.
4. Choose Open two desktops from either bot to watch both in one workspace.

Both desktops may keep running, but only one pane can hold interactive control at a time. Switching control releases the previous pane first; opening the two-up workspace never creates or starts a VM.

The equivalent source configuration is:

{
  "localVm": {
    "mode": "per-bot",
    "maxInstances": 2
  }
}

Local VMs always run on the Mac that runs Brainwrite. To give a bot a desktop on another machine, use your own VPS: an x86_64 Linux server with Docker.

Persistence

The bot's workspace and browser profile live in a durable mounted directory. Recreating the desktop can repair stale runtime state without deleting the durable workspace.

Ownership and reuse

Local VM ownership uses a renewable lease. Brainwrite validates the resolved image and container safety contract before reuse instead of trusting only a mutable image tag.