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Deployment

Deploy on exe.dev#

Run Roost on an exe.dev VM so your agents can keep working while your laptop is closed. The installer handles Node, Codex, and starting Roost for you.

You'll need an exe.dev account and a Codex account. Use the default VM image; Roost's packaged installer requires Linux x64 with systemd.

1. Create a VM#

Run this on your computer:

ssh exe.dev new --name=roost-home

Then connect using the SSH command printed in the result. Keep the HTTPS URL handy—you'll open it in step 4. exe.dev VM creation.

Already have a dedicated VM for Roost? Skip creation and use its name instead of roost-home below. If Roost is already installed, use the update command.

2. Install Roost#

Inside the VM, replace X.Y.Z with the version you want from Roost releases, without the v prefix. Run this as your normal user:

ROOST_VERSION='X.Y.Z'
ROOST_INSTALLER="$(mktemp)"
curl -fL "https://github.com/srctl/roost/releases/download/v${ROOST_VERSION}/install.sh" \
  -o "$ROOST_INSTALLER" &&
  sh "$ROOST_INSTALLER" srctl/roost "$ROOST_VERSION" --skip-login

The installer checks prerequisites, verifies the download, and starts Roost on port 3000. It also sets Roost to start again after a reboot.

3. Connect the private web address#

Leave the SSH session with exit. Back on your computer, run:

ssh exe.dev share set-private roost-home
ssh exe.dev share port roost-home 3000

Keep this address private: Roost has no app login of its own. exe.dev protects it with your account sign-in. On a reused VM, review existing access with ssh exe.dev share show roost-home because making it private retains previous grants. exe.dev proxy settings, sharing.

4. Open Roost and connect Codex#

Open the HTTPS URL from step 1 and sign into exe.dev. In Roost:

  1. Open Settings → Connect Codex and finish signing in.
  2. Create an agent and ask it to write a small file in its workspace.
  3. Reload and confirm the conversation and file are still there.

Check the URL in a signed-out browser too—it should ask you to sign into exe.dev. Roost now runs independently of your laptop and browser.

Add computer use when you're ready#

Chat and scheduled work are ready after setup. To let agents use a browser, follow Remote desktop setup, then Shared computer. Use the same VM account and set ROOST_DESKTOP_ORIGIN to your Roost HTTPS origin.

After setup#