What are cloud desktops?
A cloud desktop is a remote virtual machine that MultiClaw provisions and manages for you. Your agents run on it independently of your local machine — you can close your laptop and agents continue operating.
Why use a cloud desktop
- Run agents continuously. Tasks that take hours finish in the background while you do other things.
- No "works on my machine" issues. Every agent runs in the same consistent environment.
- Share access with your team. Multiple team members can connect to the same cloud desktop and see the same agents, tasks, and history.
- Keep long-running automations running. Closing your laptop won't interrupt an agent mid-task.
Cloud desktops vs running locally
| Cloud desktop | Local machine | |
|---|---|---|
| Runs independently | Yes — runs without your laptop | No — stops when your machine sleeps |
| Team access | Yes — any workspace member can connect | No — only accessible on your device |
| Data storage | Stored on the cloud desktop's disk | Stored on your local disk |
What's running on a cloud desktop
Each cloud desktop runs OpenClaw — the same open-source agent engine you'd run locally. The experience inside MultiClaw is identical whether you're connected to a cloud desktop or a local setup. You'll see the same agents, tasks, and conversation history either way.
Oversight and control
Even when running in the background, you remain in control. Agents execute plans you've approved, and you can connect to your cloud desktop at any time from the Instances screen. See Set up agent guardrails for how to set boundaries on what agents can and cannot do.
Cloud desktops run on Amazon Web Services (AWS) infrastructure. See our Privacy Policy and Shared Responsibility Model for information on how data is stored, processed, and protected.
You may see cloud desktops referred to as instances in some parts of the interface. They are the same thing.
Related articles
Monitor your cloud desktops
Check the status and health of your cloud desktops from the Instances screen in the desktop app.
Connect to a cloud desktop
Link the MultiClaw desktop app to a running cloud desktop so your agents and tasks run in the cloud.
Connect to your workspace
How to connect the MultiClaw desktop app to your workspace in local or cloud mode, and how to check your connection status.