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

# Computers

> Durable computers for files, sessions, and retained working context.

An IDYL Computer keeps its files, configuration, saved versions, and history
whether or not anything is executing on its behalf. Its persistent working
area is its workspace; commands can continue to use `/workspace` inside the
Computer.

## Ownership and addressing

The resource hierarchy is:

```text theme={null}
Account → Namespace → Computer
```

Every Computer belongs to one Namespace and lives in one Subnet. Its name is
unique within that Namespace and Subnet together. The same name in another
Subnet identifies a different Computer. A Computer also has a stable ID that
continues to identify it when its execution stops or starts.

The CLI selects the Namespace and Subnet through context or command flags;
the Computer name is an argument to its commands:

```bash theme={null}
idyl use <namespace>
idyl context edit --set-subnet <subnet>
idyl computer get <computer>
```

## Files and saved versions

The Computer's files remain available while it sleeps. Copy files with
`idyl computer cp`, inspect a saved directory with `idyl computer files`, and
read previous versions without waking the Computer. Saved versions support
rewinding and forking work.

## Execution and history

`idyl computer exec` runs a command, waking the Computer when needed.
`idyl computer ssh` opens an SSH session. The Computer's idle timeout controls
how long it retains execution after its last session ends; releasing execution
retains the Computer and its saved state.

`idyl computer history` records sessions and changes to execution settings.
The settings include its image, CPU, memory, connectivity, and environment
variables. Changes apply from its next start and do not disturb a command
already running.

Direct Workloads remain Namespace-scoped and can be used independently.

## Related guides

* [Work in a Computer](https://docs.idyl.network/build/work-in-a-computer.md)
* [Computer resource](https://docs.idyl.network/resources/computers.md)
* [Namespaces](https://docs.idyl.network/concepts/namespaces.md)


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