# How to Run Codex in an Ubuntu Virtual Machine on Proxmox

DevFeed: [How to Run Codex in an Ubuntu Virtual Machine on Proxmox](<https://devfeed.tech/articles/your-coding-agent-should-be-in-jail-here-s-why-and-how-32185.md>)

Original publisher: [Read original article](<https://spin.atomicobject.com/coding-agent-in-jail/>)

Author: Travis Henderson

Published: 2026-09-15T12:00:11Z

Content type: tutorial

Language: en

Sources: [Atomic Object](<https://devfeed.tech/sources/atomic-object.md>)

Topics: [AI-assisted coding](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/ai-assisted-coding.md>), [codex](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/codex.md>), [Linux](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/linux.md>), [Ubuntu](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/ubuntu.md>), [Proxmox](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/proxmox.md>), [OpenSSH](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/openssh.md>), [Authorization](<https://devfeed.tech/topics/authorization.md>)

Tags: [ai-agent](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/ai-agent.md>), [ai-for-developers](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/ai-for-developers.md>), [codex](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/codex.md>), [coding-agents](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/coding-agents.md>), [development](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/development.md>), [linux](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/linux.md>), [openssh](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/openssh.md>), [permissions](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/permissions.md>), [proxmox](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/proxmox.md>), [sandbox](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/sandbox.md>), [ubuntu](<https://devfeed.tech/tags/ubuntu.md>)

## AI overview

This guide explains how to isolate Codex in a headless Ubuntu virtual machine running on Proxmox, using a separate Linux account and OpenSSH. The setup limits the files, dependencies, and network access available to the agent while keeping administrator tasks separate, but it does not eliminate risks from credentials, network access, or mistakes pushed to GitHub.

## Source excerpt

The more useful coding agents become, the more access they tend to need. Installing dependencies, running commands, changing files, and generally more autonomy are part of the appeal. They're also the point where I start thinking about what else the coding agent can reach, especially while these tools are changing so quickly. My answer is [...] The post Your Coding Agent Should be in Jail. Here's Why and How. appeared first on Atomic Spin.