Code execution

Code execution is the core sandbox operation: run a process inside the guest and collect its exit code, stdout, and stderr.

CLI flow

cargo run -- up codebox --flake .
cargo run -- exec codebox -- python - <<'PY'
print("hello from the guest")
PY

exec runs in the guest microVM. The host process sends the request through the guest control path and receives structured output.

Planned runtime SDK shape

Status: Planned lifecycle API.

Python

from mvm import NetworkPolicy, Sandbox

sandbox = Sandbox.create(
    image="nix:./flake#python-tool",
    network=NetworkPolicy.deny_by_default(),
)

try:
    result = sandbox.exec(["python", "-c", "print('hello')"])
    print(result.stdout)
finally:
    sandbox.stop()

TypeScript

import { Sandbox, NetworkPolicy } from "@mvm/sdk";

const sandbox = await Sandbox.create({
  image: "nix:./flake#python-tool",
  network: NetworkPolicy.denyByDefault(),
});

try {
  const result = await sandbox.exec(["python", "-c", "print('hello')"]);
  console.log(result.stdout);
} finally {
  await sandbox.stop();
}

Timeouts and errors

Every execution path should carry:

• command args;
• timeout;
• exit status;
• stdout/stderr;
• audit/run identifier;
• redacted error detail.

Do not put secrets in command args. Args are often visible in logs, metrics, audit labels, shell history, or process listings.

Security checklist

• Use a fresh or cold-restored sandbox for untrusted code.
• Keep network disabled unless the code needs it.
• Prefer file upload/download over broad host mounts.
• Redact stdout/stderr before sending it to an LLM transcript.
• Destroy or snapshot intentionally; do not leave state ambiguous.