# box by Simular [Health: Active]

**Category:** 💻 Developer Tools  
**Repository:** https://github.com/simular-ai/box-plugin  
**GitHub Stars:** 0  
**npm Downloads (last month):** 4715  
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**Directory Page:** https://allmcps.com/mcp/box-by-simular

## Description
A cloud Linux desktop for your AI: browse, click, type, read the screen and run commands.

## Claude Desktop Quick Installation
Install path detected from listing signals. Uses `npx` (confidence: high):

```json
"mcpServers": {
  "box-by-simular": {
    "command": "npx",
    "args": ["-y","@simular-ai/box"],
    "env": {
      "MCP_BOX_API_KEY": ""
    }
  }
}
```

**Requires environment variables:** `MCP_BOX_API_KEY` — the values above are empty placeholders; fill in real credentials before running (see the repository for what each one is for).

## Documentation

## What box by Simular MCP server does

box by Simular connects an AI agent to a hosted Linux desktop rather than the computer where the agent is running. The desktop includes Chrome and a shell, giving an agent a place to browse websites, interact with graphical interfaces, inspect the screen, and run terminal commands.

The remote session is accessible at `https://mcp.box.simular.ai/mcp`. You can watch the desktop and take control from `https://box.simular.ai/box`, which is useful for checking agent activity or handling an interaction yourself.

## How it works

The agent sends MCP requests to the hosted box endpoint. Browser and desktop actions happen in the cloud environment, while shell commands execute there instead of on the user's local machine. This separation lets the local computer remain available for other work.

The repository contains agent-specific packages for Claude Code and Cowork, DeepSeek Harness, the command-line connector, and Hermes Agent. The command-line connector also supports an offload workflow: a coding task can be moved into a fresh Claude Code, Codex, or Cursor session in the box, then brought back with its commits and handover text. Claude Code exposes this workflow through `/box:offload` and `/box:back`; other agents and terminals use `npx @simular-ai/box offload` and `npx @simular-ai/box back`.

## Setup and configuration

For most agents, add the MCP endpoint and complete a one-time browser sign-in through the box installation flow. The CLI connector can be installed with:

```sh
npx @simular-ai/box connect
```

Run `npx @simular-ai/box doctor` to check the CLI setup. Claude Code and Cowork use the Simular plugin marketplace commands. Hermes uses a personal key in `MCP_BOX_API_KEY`, with OAuth available as an alternative. DeepSeek Harness uses a personal `cb_...` key entered on its plugin page. Hermes and OpenClaw can also use a personal key with the CLI's `--auth key` option.

## Tools and capabilities

- Browse with Chrome in the cloud desktop.
- Click and type in graphical applications.
- Read the remote screen.
- Execute commands in the cloud Linux shell.
- Watch the session and take over through the box web interface.
- Offload coding work to a remote agent session and bring back commits and handover notes.

## Limitations and notes

Authentication depends on the client package: supported clients may use OAuth, while some integrations require a personal key. Agent-specific installation packages are distributed through different channels, so setup commands vary by client. The offload and back commands are available through the Claude Code plugin or the CLI workflow rather than being described as generic MCP operations.

_Full upstream README: https://allmcps.com/mcp/box-by-simular/readme_