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

# Environments

> Overview of Browser, Linux, and Windows environments for agent execution

Asteroid agents run inside isolated sandboxes. The environment type determines how the agent interacts with the target system.

## Choose an environment

Use the pages below to pick the environment that matches your workload:

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Browser" icon="globe" href="/fundamentals/environments-browser">
    Headless Chromium with DOM tools, scripts, and optional CUA.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Linux" icon="terminal" href="/fundamentals/environments-linux">
    Full Linux desktop for native apps and non-browser workflows.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Windows" icon="monitor" href="/fundamentals/environments-windows">
    Windows desktop for Windows-only enterprise software.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Quick comparison

| Environment | Best for                                    | Interaction mode                   |
| :---------- | :------------------------------------------ | :--------------------------------- |
| Browser     | Web apps and sites in Chromium              | DOM tools + scripts + optional CUA |
| Linux       | Browser plus Linux-native desktop workflows | CUA desktop control                |
| Windows     | Windows-only desktop software               | CUA desktop control                |

***

## Shared conventions

Regardless of environment type, every sandbox uses the same **`/home/agent`** directory layout (`shared/`, `workspace/`, `downloads/`, `uploads/`), so file handling and tool behaviour stay consistent. See [Files](/fundamentals/files) for details.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Files" icon="folder" href="/fundamentals/files" horizontal>
    Directory layout and file API access
  </Card>

  <Card title="AI Capabilities" icon="wand-magic-sparkles" href="/fundamentals/ai-capabilities" horizontal>
    Tools and capability identifiers
  </Card>

  <Card title="Profiles" icon="user" href="/fundamentals/profiles" horizontal>
    Credentials and environment configuration
  </Card>
</CardGroup>