app-platform-sandbox

name	app-platform-sandbox
version	1.0.0
min_doctl_version	1.82.0
description	Create and manage isolated container sandboxes for AI agent code execution. Use when you need ephemeral environments to run untrusted code, execute agent workflows, or test in isolation. NOT for debugging existing apps (use troubleshooting skill).
related_skills	["troubleshooting"]
deprecated	false

Sandbox Skill

Isolated execution environments for AI agents and testing workflows.

Philosophy

Lambda/Functions: Fast cold start, 15-min limit, stateless, per-ms billing
App Platform Sandbox: 30s cold start (or instant with pool), unlimited duration, stateful, per-hour billing

Sweet spot: Long-running, stateful, iterative workflows where agents need to
install packages, run code, check results, modify, repeat.

Quick Decision

┌─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┐
│         Need isolated execution environment?                 │
└─────────────────────────────────────────────────────────────┘
                            │
              Is this for debugging an EXISTING app?
                            │
            ┌───────────────┴───────────────┐
            │                               │
           YES                              NO
            │                               │
            ▼                               ▼
   ┌─────────────────┐           ┌─────────────────┐
   │ troubleshooting │           │ Need real-time  │
   │ skill           │           │ streaming or    │
   │                 │           │ port exposure?  │
   │ Sandbox.get_    │           │                 │
   │ from_id()       │           └────────┬────────┘
   └─────────────────┘                    │
                          ┌───────────────┴───────────────┐
                          │                               │
                         YES                              NO
                          │                               │
                          ▼                               ▼
                 ┌─────────────────┐           ┌─────────────────┐
                 │ SERVICE MODE    │           │ Is low latency  │
                 │ exec_stream()   │           │ critical?       │
                 │ expose_port()   │           │                 │
                 └─────────────────┘           └────────┬────────┘
                                                        │
                                        ┌───────────────┴───────────────┐
                                        │                               │
                                       YES                              NO
                                        │                               │
                                        ▼                               ▼
                               ┌─────────────────┐           ┌─────────────────┐
                               │ HOT POOL        │           │ COLD SANDBOX    │
                               │ SandboxManager  │           │ Sandbox.create()│
                               │ ~50ms acquire   │           │ ~30s startup    │
                               └─────────────────┘           └─────────────────┘