Add computers

The server runs no bots. Your bots run on computers you add: Linux computers, cloud servers, or Macs. Each joins with a one-time code.

Get a code

In Tico, open Settings → Computers → Add computer and pick the kind of computer. The code works once and expires after 15 minutes.

A Linux or cloud computer

1. Run the line Tico shows you on that computer. It has your code and the version matching your server filled in. This example uses the latest installer:

   curl -fsSL https://github.com/ticoteam/tico/releases/latest/download/install.sh | \
     sh -s -- --runner --version <server-version> --url https://tico.example.com --code <code> --label "Build box"

   It installs Docker if needed, joins, and installs your model tools, in about a minute. It stays on the same release as your server automatically, and running the line again is safe.
2. Check it’s online in Settings → Computers. It installs the model tools your team turned on, which takes a minute or two.

This computer can sit in a private network: it only connects out to your server.

A Mac

Choose Mac in Add computer, then run the commands Tico shows in a copy of the Tico repo on that Mac. It runs in the background and reconnects on its own.

Use an always-on Mac, like a Mac mini, for routines. Work sent to a sleeping laptop waits until it wakes.

Sign in your models

If your team’s model API key is in Credentials, granted to every computer, a new computer signs itself in. With a subscription login, Health shows which computer still needs it. Sign in once per computer using Sign in in Settings → Computers. For a Docker computer, you can also run these in a terminal from that computer’s install directory (/opt/tico-runner-<name> for a named install; /opt/tico-runner for an unnamed install):

docker compose -f runner.compose.yaml exec -u bot runner codex login --device-auth   # ChatGPT subscription
docker compose -f runner.compose.yaml exec -u bot runner claude setup-token          # Claude subscription

Using API keys instead? See the install reference.

How many computers?

Plan about 0.5–1 GB of memory for each bot working at the same moment. Most bots are idle most of the time. When bots start to queue, add another computer.

Put bots on the right computer

After a computer joins, choose it in each bot’s settings. Keep bots that read outside email or websites on a different computer from bots that hold powerful credentials. See Security.