CodeSandbox

What CodeSandbox is

CodeSandbox is a web and iOS service for creating development environments that execute code, with an SDK for spinning those environments up programmatically. Each environment runs in isolation, making it suitable for executing untrusted code. Its microVMs can start, be cloned, or be restored from snapshots within two seconds. Snapshots also let developers resume work in the same sandbox after inactivity, and users can set how long an environment remains inactive before it hibernates automatically.

Teams can run multiple agents in parallel in separate environments, or fork work to A/B test different agents. Tests can run inside sandboxes for CI/CD, with those environments able to hibernate when testing finishes. The wider ecosystem includes Sandpack for live coding in a browser, a VS Code extension, and a Storybook integration that provides a code playground for each story. CodeSandbox says its service can handle millions of concurrent VMs.

CodeSandbox was founded in 2017 and is headquartered in Amsterdam, Netherlands. CodeSandbox BV is a Together AI company; the two joined forces on the CodeSandbox SDK. A free plan is available. Build includes five members and 40 monthly VM-credit hours; Scale includes 20 members, 160 monthly VM-credit hours, and up to 250 concurrent VMs. Enterprise offers unlimited members and custom storage and hourly request limits.

Who it suits

CodeSandbox suits developers who need programmatic, isolated environments for running code, including untrusted code, or want to resume work from snapshots. Teams using parallel agents, CI/CD sandboxes, browser coding, VS Code, or Storybook may also find its ecosystem relevant.

Limits

The free plan is available, but its included quotas are not given here. Build includes five members and 40 monthly VM-credit hours; Scale includes 20 members, 160 monthly VM-credit hours, 250 concurrent VMs, and 10,000 SDK requests per hour.

Getting started

1. Open the CodeSandbox website.
2. Start with the free plan or a free start or trial.
3. Use the web or iOS platform.
4. Use the SDK to programmatically spin up a development environment.
5. Connect a GitHub VCS host or configure a workspace with a devcontainer.

Verdict

Choose CodeSandbox if you need isolated development environments that can be started through an SDK, resumed from snapshots, or used for parallel agents and CI/CD tests. The free plan provides a way to start, while teams needing more capacity can consider the listed Build, Scale, and Enterprise tiers. Look elsewhere if you need a stated price for a paid plan before choosing.