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

# Portal

> Your agent can act on your own machine, with your permission

Your agent runs in its own cloud sandbox, but some work lives on your laptop: a dev server on `localhost`, a command-line tool you have installed, files on your disk, a browser signed into your accounts. Portal lets your agent reach that machine when you run **Skydive Desktop** and grant that agent access.

<img src="https://mintcdn.com/skydive/2VR7bKqFZZqW4hyR/images/agents/portal-bodhi.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=2VR7bKqFZZqW4hyR&q=85&s=bad07f279197109e4dbe7b2b95e40dce" alt="Bodhi connecting to a laptop" style={{borderRadius:'12px',marginBottom:'8px'}} width="1600" height="992" data-path="images/agents/portal-bodhi.png" />

## How it works

Portal is off until you turn it on, per agent. Nothing reaches your computer until you say yes.

<Steps>
  <Step title="Install Skydive Desktop">
    [Skydive Desktop](/docs/desktop/mac) is the small Mac app that connects your machine to your agents. When an agent first asks for access, its request card links the download. Not on a Mac? The [Skydive CLI](/docs/cli/overview) does the same job from a terminal.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Approve the agent">
    The agent asks for permission and a card appears in your chat. Approve it, and that one agent can reach your machine.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Ask for the work">
    Tell the agent what you need done on your computer. It runs the command, reaches the local server, or drives your browser, and reports back.
  </Step>
</Steps>

Access is granted per agent. Revoke it at any time from [Skydive Desktop](/docs/desktop/mac#letting-an-agent-use-your-mac).

## What it unlocks

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Local servers" icon="server">
    Reach a dev server or local app running on `localhost`.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Local tools" icon="terminal">
    Run a command-line tool or script installed on your machine.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Your browser" icon="globe">
    Drive your own browser, signed into your accounts.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Local files" icon="folder-open">
    Read and work with files that live on your disk.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Driving your browser

When a task needs your accounts (anything behind a login), the agent can drive your own signed-in browser instead of asking for credentials. It tells you before it takes control, keeps it brief, and hands control back when done.

For public pages that don't need your logins, the agent uses its own [browser](/docs/capabilities/browser) in the cloud. It never has to touch your machine for those.

## Good uses

* Restarting a local dev server and tailing its logs
* Running a build or a script you have set up locally
* Pulling a report from a tool that only runs on your machine
* Posting on your behalf in a web app you're already logged into

Ask for it in plain language:

```text theme={null}
My dev server on localhost:3000 is throwing errors. Pull the logs and
tell me what's breaking.
```

<Note>
  Portal is default-deny and granted per agent. An agent can only reach your computer after you approve it in Skydive Desktop. You can revoke that access at any time.
</Note>