What Is a Sandbox
A sandbox is an isolated computing environment where code can run without affecting the host system. Archeus uses sandboxes to execute code, run scripts, and manipulate files safely. Every task that requires code execution or file access runs inside a dedicated sandbox with strictly controlled resources and permissions.
The sandbox concept is borrowed from software security practices, where untrusted code is executed in restricted environments to prevent damage. Archeus extends this concept to AI agent execution, ensuring that automated tasks cannot compromise your data, corrupt your files, or access unauthorized resources.
Each sandbox is a lightweight container with its own file system, network stack, and process space. The container is configured with resource limits — CPU, memory, disk space, and network bandwidth — to prevent any single task from consuming excessive resources or affecting other concurrent tasks.
Isolation by Design
Archeus sandboxes are built on containerization technology with defense-in-depth security measures. Each sandbox is a ephemeral container that exists only for the duration of the task. When the task completes, the container is destroyed along with all temporary data, intermediate results, and execution traces.
The isolation extends beyond file system and process isolation. Network access is restricted by default — sandboxes can only connect to approved external resources required for the task. Memory is isolated between sandboxes, preventing data leakage through shared memory regions. Process visibility is restricted, so one sandbox cannot observe or interact with another.
Security policies are enforced at multiple levels: container runtime policies restrict system calls, network policies control traffic flow, and resource policies enforce usage limits. These policies are configured centrally and applied consistently across all sandboxes.
File System Security
Sandboxes have access to a virtual file system that is separate from your actual files. Archeus can read, write, and process files within this virtual environment without touching your local storage. The virtual file system provides a familiar POSIX interface, so code and scripts work without modification.
If your task requires working with your actual files — for example, processing uploaded documents or generating output files — Archeus uses explicit upload and download mechanisms with your consent. Files are transferred through encrypted channels and processed within the sandbox. Results are transferred back through the same secure channel.
File system quotas prevent any task from consuming excessive storage. Temporary files are automatically cleaned up when the task completes. Sensitive files can be encrypted at rest within the sandbox, adding an additional layer of protection against unauthorized access.
Network Controls
Sandbox network access is restricted by default. Only approved connections are allowed — typically to external APIs, web resources, or services required for the specific task. All network traffic is logged and can be audited after the task completes.
Archeus implements egress filtering to prevent unauthorized data exfiltration. The filter rules are configured based on the task requirements — a web browsing task might allow HTTP connections to any host, while a data processing task might only allow connections to specific API endpoints.
DNS resolution is controlled within sandboxes to prevent DNS-based attacks and to ensure that network connections go to intended destinations. DNS queries are logged and can be reviewed for security auditing purposes.
Monitoring and Auditing
Every sandbox execution is monitored and logged. The monitoring system tracks resource utilization, network activity, file system operations, and process execution. These logs provide a complete audit trail for every task, enabling review and compliance verification.
Anomaly detection algorithms monitor sandbox behavior for suspicious patterns. Unusual network activity, excessive resource consumption, or unexpected file system operations trigger alerts that can be reviewed manually. This proactive monitoring helps identify potential security issues before they impact your data.
Compliance reports can be generated from sandbox logs, providing documentation of security controls for regulatory requirements. The reports include information about isolation measures, access controls, data handling practices, and monitoring capabilities.