OpenHands

OpenHands is a software-development agent platform centered on Agent Canvas, a browser-based interface and backend for running agents and automations. Agent Canvas can start the open-source OpenHands agent or connect to third-party Agent Client Protocol agents, and it can run locally, on a self-hosted virtual machine, or with OpenHands Cloud. The current product family also includes the Software Agent SDK, Cloud, and Enterprise offerings. The older OpenHands CLI and local Docker GUI remain documented under Legacy rather than as primary current surfaces.

The open-source core is MIT licensed, including the main OpenHands components and agent-server images. The repository’s Enterprise directory and managed services have separate terms. Local open-source operation uses bring-your-own model credentials or provider usage at cost. Cloud provides hosted infrastructure and organization plans, while Enterprise adds private deployment and commercial support. Model, VM, cloud, and enterprise-license costs remain separate.

Top features

• Agent Canvas: launch, observe, and organize coding-agent conversations and automations from one browser interface.
• ACP agent support: use the OpenHands agent or connect compatible third-party agents such as Claude Code and Codex through Agent Client Protocol.
• Flexible backends: run agents locally, in Docker, on a VM, through company infrastructure, or with OpenHands Cloud.
• Software Agent SDK: define agents in code and embed sessions, tools, and development workflows into internal products.
• Automation and integrations: connect source control, ticketing, Slack, schedules, and organization workflows where supported.
• Deployment choices: combine an MIT-licensed core with hosted Cloud or separately licensed Enterprise infrastructure.
• Model choice: supply supported model credentials or use available managed model access under the applicable plan.

Use cases

• Run several coding tasks from Agent Canvas while keeping execution on developer-controlled machines.
• Connect multiple ACP-compatible coding agents to one control surface for evaluation or team workflows.
• Place agents in Docker or VM backends when direct host-level file and command access is inappropriate.
• Build an internal coding-agent service with the SDK and a company-selected model provider.
• Trigger maintenance or issue workflows from source control, ticketing systems, or Slack through supported integrations.
• Deploy the platform in a private cloud or enterprise environment with centralized controls and support.