# Daytona Dev

> Skill: Daytona Dev Environment

- Skill: `jasonkneen/daytona-dev` (Agent Skill)
- Install (CLI): `npx skillmds@latest add jasonkneen/daytona-dev`
- Raw SKILL.md: https://api.skillmd.com/api/skills/jasonkneen/daytona-dev/raw
- Safety review: pending
- Works with: Claude Code, Claude.ai, OpenAI Codex
- Category: Coding & Dev Tools
- Author: jasonkneen (https://skillmd.com/u/jasonkneen)
- Updated: 2026-09-17
- Page: https://skillmd.com/skills/jasonkneen/daytona-dev

---

# Skill: Daytona Dev Environment

Launch the full OpenWork stack (Electron app + Den) in a Daytona cloud sandbox. The real desktop app runs on a virtual display and is accessible through your browser via noVNC.

## Prerequisites

- Daytona CLI installed: `brew install daytonaio/cli/daytona` or download from [GitHub releases](https://github.com/daytonaio/daytona/releases)
- Logged in: `daytona login`
- Using the "Different AI" org: `daytona organization use "Different AI"`

## Quick Start

### 1. Create the sandbox

```bash
daytona create \
  --name openwork-dev \
  --dockerfile .devcontainer/Dockerfile \
  --context .devcontainer/Dockerfile \
  --context .devcontainer/start-display.sh \
  --context .devcontainer/start-services.sh \
  --class large \
  --auto-stop 60 \
  --public \
  --target us
```

> **Note:** Use `--context` to send only the Dockerfile and scripts, NOT the whole repo. The Dockerfile clones from GitHub inside the sandbox.

### 2. Start services

```bash
daytona exec openwork-dev 'bash .devcontainer/start-services.sh'
```

Or SSH in and run interactively:

```bash
daytona ssh openwork-dev
cd /workspace
bash .devcontainer/start-services.sh
```

### 3. Get the noVNC URL

```bash
daytona preview-url openwork-dev -p 6080
```

Open that URL in your browser. You'll see the real Electron OpenWork app.

### 4. Get other URLs

```bash
# Den Web dashboard (if Den stack is running)
daytona preview-url openwork-dev -p 3005

# CDP debugging endpoint
daytona preview-url openwork-dev -p 9825
```

## What's Running

| Service | Port | Description |
|---------|------|-------------|
| **noVNC** | 6080 | See and interact with the Electron app in your browser |
| **Vite HMR** | 5173 | Hot module replacement for the React UI |
| **CDP** | 9825 | Chrome DevTools Protocol — for automation |
| **Den Web** | 3005 | Admin dashboard (only if MySQL is available) |
| **Den API** | 8788 | Control plane (only if MySQL is available) |

## Running with Den (full stack)

The devcontainer's `docker-compose.yml` includes MySQL. If you're using Daytona's raw sandbox mode (no Docker Compose), the Den stack won't start because there's no MySQL. Two options:

### Option A: Daytona sandbox + production Den

Just point the app to the production Den:
1. Open the app via noVNC
2. Sign in normally (uses production `app.openworklabs.com`)
3. All cloud features work

### Option B: Daytona sandbox + local Den

If you need a local Den (for testing customization, restrictions, etc.):
1. Use the `docker-compose.yml` approach (requires Docker-in-Docker)
2. Or run Den on your local machine and tunnel to the sandbox

## Common Commands

```bash
# List running sandboxes
daytona list

# SSH into sandbox
daytona ssh openwork-dev

# Check logs
daytona exec openwork-dev 'tail -50 /tmp/electron.log'
daytona exec openwork-dev 'tail -50 /tmp/vite.log'

# Take a screenshot via CDP
daytona exec openwork-dev 'curl -s http://127.0.0.1:9825/json/list'

# Restart just the Electron app
daytona exec openwork-dev 'pkill -f electron; sleep 2; cd /workspace && DISPLAY=:99 ELECTRON_DISABLE_SANDBOX=1 OPENWORK_ELECTRON_REMOTE_DEBUG_PORT=9825 OPENWORK_DEV_MODE=1 nohup pnpm --filter @openwork/desktop dev:electron > /tmp/electron.log 2>&1 &'

# Stop the sandbox (preserves state)
daytona stop openwork-dev

# Start it again
daytona start openwork-dev

# Delete (destroys everything)
daytona delete openwork-dev
```

## Updating the Code

Inside the sandbox, the repo is at `/workspace`. To pull latest:

```bash
daytona ssh openwork-dev
cd /workspace
git pull origin dev
pnpm install
# Then restart services
```

## Troubleshooting

**Electron shows blank window:**
Vite might not be running. Check `tail /tmp/vite.log`. Restart with:
```bash
cd /workspace/apps/app && OPENWORK_DEV_MODE=1 nohup npx vite --host 0.0.0.0 --port 5173 > /tmp/vite.log 2>&1 &
```

**noVNC shows black screen:**
Xvfb may have crashed. Restart the display:
```bash
bash .devcontainer/start-display.sh
```

**"no space left on device" when creating sandbox:**
Don't use `--context .` — it uploads the entire repo (with worktrees, node_modules). Use individual `--context` flags for just the files needed.

**Electron can't connect to localhost:5173:**
Vite must listen on `0.0.0.0`, not just `localhost`. The start script handles this, but if running manually use `npx vite --host 0.0.0.0`.