Volnyn Desktop and cloud computer
Choose where your tasks run: in your own Chrome on your computer, or on a private cloud computer that keeps working when your laptop is closed.
A task that only needs public web pages can run anywhere. A task that needs your accounts, files or software needs a machine — either yours, or one Volnyn keeps for you.
The Volnyn Desktop button in the chat composer is where you choose:
| Option | What it is | Use it for |
|---|---|---|
| This computer | Volnyn works in your own Chrome, signed in as you, through the Chrome extension | Tasks on sites where you are already logged in |
| Cloud computer | A private Linux computer in the cloud with a browser, a terminal and a file system | Long or recurring work, installing tools, running code, staying signed in to sites 24/7 |
The Volnyn Desktop button
In chat, click Volnyn Desktop ("Run tasks on your own computer") next to the composer. A card opens with two sections.
Bring Volnyn to your computer
"Let Volnyn work with the sites and apps on your computer."
- On Windows, Get Volnyn Desktop downloads the Volnyn desktop app (
Volnyn-windows.zip). Unzip it and run the app. - On a Mac, Get Volnyn Desktop opens the Volnyn listing on the App Store.
- On other computers, the button walks you through the Chrome extension instead: Get Volnyn Desktop installs it, Connect this computer links it, and Use this computer makes new tasks run in your Chrome. The card then reads "New tasks run in your own Chrome, signed in as you." and the button becomes Stop using this computer.
A green dot on the Volnyn Desktop button means new tasks will run in your own Chrome.
The desktop apps give you Volnyn in its own window. Working in your own browser, with your logins, is done by the Chrome extension — install it in Chrome on the same computer. You can also switch between Cloud, My Browser and Computer at any time from the live browser panel.
Cloud computer
"A 24/7 workspace for your agent." Click Create to set one up, or Open if you already have one. See below.
Cloud computer
A cloud computer is a private Linux machine that belongs to your account. It has:
- A real browser (Chrome) that stays signed in to sites you log in to
- A terminal, where the assistant can install and run Python, Node and command-line tools
- A file system that keeps your files between chats
The assistant can run commands, read and write files, drive the browser, and serve a preview of something it built at a public link.
The cloud computer is part of the paid plans. On a plan without it, clicking Create shows "Upgrade to use the computer."
Creating one
- In chat, open the + (attach) menu and find Cloud computer, or open Volnyn Desktop → Cloud computer.
- Click Create.
Depending on what your Volnyn server offers, one of two things happens:
- Workspace computer — it is set up straight away. Nothing more to choose.
- Dedicated computer — the Create cloud computer window opens. Choose a size (Personal Projects, Standard Performance or High Capacity), extra storage if you need it, and a Location close to you or your users. The window shows the Monthly total. Continue to payment. It is "Billed monthly, separately from your Volnyn plan. Cancel any time."
A dedicated computer takes a few minutes to build. The row shows Building… until it is ready; you land back in chat when it is done.
Every dedicated computer includes Ubuntu Server 24.04 LTS, its own public IP address, and its own hostname.
Workspace vs dedicated
| Workspace computer | Dedicated computer | |
|---|---|---|
| Billing | Included with your plan | Its own monthly subscription |
| Availability | Sleeps when idle, wakes on the next task | Always on, 24/7 |
| Files | Kept while you use it; removed after a period without use | Kept for as long as you keep the computer |
| Daily limits | Yes — a daily cap on commands and computer time | No daily caps |
| Resources | Shared host | Its own machine, with the size you picked |
When a workspace computer reaches its daily cap you will see "Daily computer limit reached… It resets tomorrow."
Using it
Just ask in chat:
"On my computer, clone this GitHub repo and run the tests."
"Install ffmpeg and convert these videos to MP4."
"Log in to my supplier portal on the computer and download this month's invoices."
The chat's side panel shows the computer's live screen, titled Volnyn's computer. In the live browser panel, choose Computer — "Runs on your own cloud computer, on the screen below. Sign in once here and it stays signed in."
- Sign in once. When a site needs a login, the assistant stops and asks. Sign in on the screen in the panel and click Continue. The login is remembered for next time.
- Click and type on the screen when the assistant asks for help. Paste with ⌘V / Ctrl+V or the Paste button.
- Links in answers can open on the computer's screen rather than in your own browser.
Agents can use the computer when their Computer ability is switched on.
States
The Cloud computer row shows where it stands:
| State | You see | Button |
|---|---|---|
| None yet | A 24/7 workspace for your agent | Create |
| Building | … building your computer… | Building… |
| Running | Ready — just ask me to run something | Hibernate |
| Sleeping | Sleeping — your files are kept | Wake up |
| Failed | The error | Try again |
A workspace computer goes to sleep on its own after a period without use and wakes automatically on your next task. Sleeping keeps files but not running programs.
Managing it in Settings
Open Settings → My Computer from the sidebar:
- Start / Stop the computer.
- See the Workspace status, Commands run and Last active.
- Open preview of anything it is serving.
- See plans for a Dedicated computer.
- Delete workspace and all its files — wipes the computer and everything on it. This cannot be undone.
Cancelling a dedicated computer
Cancelling the subscription keeps the computer running until the end of the month you have paid for. Deleting it removes the machine and its files immediately and ends the subscription.
If a dedicated computer cannot be built after you pay, the subscription is cancelled automatically and any charge is refunded.
Tips
- Use the computer for anything slow or repeating. It keeps going with your laptop closed, which the Chrome extension cannot.
- Sign in to your regular sites once on the computer. Scheduled automations can then use them without stopping.
- Keep important output somewhere else too. Ask the assistant to push code to GitHub or save files to Drive when a job finishes.
- Use your own Chrome for one-off personal tasks. It is already signed in and costs nothing extra.
FAQ
Does the Volnyn desktop app control my computer?
No. The desktop app is Volnyn in its own window. To let Volnyn work in your own browser with your logins, use the Chrome extension. To give it a computer of its own, create a cloud computer.
Can the assistant touch files on my laptop?
No. The cloud computer is a separate machine. Upload files in chat if you want them on it.
What happens to my files when the computer sleeps?
They are kept. Sleeping only stops running programs. Files are removed only when you delete the computer, or — for a workspace computer — after a long period without use.
Why don't I see the cloud computer option?
Either your plan does not include it, or cloud computers are not enabled on your Volnyn server yet.
Can I use the computer myself?
You can watch it live and click and type on its screen when the assistant hands it to you. Day to day, you drive it by asking in chat.
Next steps
- Connect the Chrome extension so tasks can use your own logins.
- Create a cloud computer and ask it to run something.
- Give an agent the Computer ability and a schedule.