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Documentation Index

Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://mintlify.com/NVIDIA/OpenShell/llms.txt

Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

Community sandboxes are ready-to-use environments published in the OpenShell Community repository. Each sandbox bundles a Dockerfile, policy, optional skills, and startup scripts into a single package that you can launch with one command.

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Current catalog

SandboxDescription
baseFoundational image with system tools and dev environment. The default sandbox for openshell sandbox create.
ollamaOllama with cloud and local model support. Claude Code, OpenCode, and Codex pre-installed. Use ollama launch inside the sandbox to start coding agents with zero config.
openclawOpen agent manipulation and control.
sdgSynthetic data generation workflows.

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Default base sandbox tools

The base sandbox includes the following tools:
CategoryTools
Agentclaude, opencode, codex, copilot
Languagepython (3.13), node (22)
Developergh, git, vim, nano
Networkingping, dig, nslookup, nc, traceroute, netstat

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Use a community sandbox

Launch a community sandbox by name with the --from flag: 
openshell sandbox create --from openclaw
When you pass --from with a community sandbox name, the CLI:
  1. Resolves the name against the OpenShell Community repository.
  2. Pulls the Dockerfile, policy, skills, and any startup scripts.
  3. Builds the container image locally.
  4. Creates the sandbox with the bundled configuration applied.
You end up with a running sandbox whose image, policy, and tooling are all preconfigured by the community package.

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Bring your own container (BYOC)

The --from flag also accepts local directories and container image references, giving you full control over the sandbox environment. 
openshell sandbox create --from openclaw
openshell sandbox create --from ollama
Names are resolved against the OpenShell Community catalog.
GPU intent is inferred automatically for community images with gpu in the name. For other GPU-enabled images, add --gpu explicitly.

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Contribute a community sandbox

Each community sandbox is a directory under sandboxes/ in the OpenShell Community repository.
1

Fork the repository

Fork NVIDIA/OpenShell-Community on GitHub.
2

Create your sandbox directory

Add a new directory under sandboxes/ with the following required files:
  • Dockerfile — defines the container image.
  • README.md — describes the sandbox and how to use it.
You can also include:
  • policy.yaml — default policy applied when the sandbox launches.
  • skills/ — agent skill definitions bundled with the sandbox.
  • Startup scripts invoked by the Dockerfile or entrypoint.
3

Open a pull request

Submit your sandbox directory as a pull request. Refer to the repository’s CONTRIBUTING.md for submission guidelines.
The community catalog is designed to grow. If you have built a sandbox that supports a particular workflow — data processing, simulation, code review, or anything else — consider contributing it back so others can benefit.

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Next steps

Providers

Supply API keys and tokens to your sandbox.

Policies

Write custom network and filesystem rules for your sandbox.

Manage sandboxes

Create, connect to, and manage sandbox lifecycle.

OpenShell Community

Browse the full community catalog and contribute your own sandbox.

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