> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://allhandsai-vertex-agent-server-docs.mintlify.site/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Agent Canvas Overview

> A lightweight platform to run agents and automations — locally or in the cloud.

## Why Agent Canvas

* **One UI to drive any agent**: run conversations with OpenHands, Claude Code, Codex, or Gemini CLI through the same browser interface.
* **Bring your own LLM**: connect Anthropic, OpenAI, Google, or any OpenAI-compatible provider. Switch models per conversation.
* **Built-in automations**: schedule cron jobs or wire up event-driven workflows against GitHub, Linear, Slack, and custom webhooks.
* **Run it anywhere**: a single `agent-canvas` command starts the full stack locally. Self-host on a VM, or connect to OpenHands Cloud.

## Key Concepts

| Concept          | What It Means                                                                                                                                                                                               |
| ---------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| **Agent Canvas** | A UI and backend server for running agents and automations. The `agent-canvas` command starts both together.                                                                                                |
| **Backend**      | Any Canvas UI can securely connect to any Canvas backend: running locally, on a remote machine, or on [OpenHands Cloud](/openhands/usage/cloud/openhands-cloud). Register multiple and switch between them. |
| **Conversation** | A single agent session tied to a backend. Each conversation has its own message history, tool calls, and file changes.                                                                                      |
| **Automation**   | A workflow that runs on a cron schedule or in response to events from GitHub, Linear, Slack, or custom webhooks. Automations may start agent conversations as needed.                                       |

## How It Fits with Other OpenHands Products

* **Agent Canvas**: the recommended browser-based UI for running OpenHands locally or self-hosted.
* **Local GUI (Legacy)**: legacy UI requiring Docker.
* **OpenHands Cloud**: a fully managed version of OpenHands.
* **OpenHands SDK**: the Python framework behind the agent system.

## Where to Start

* [Install](/openhands/usage/agent-canvas/setup) — Use the published npm package to run Agent Canvas from your terminal.
* [Connect and Manage Backends](/openhands/usage/agent-canvas/backends) — Switch between local and remote backends.
* [Customize and Settings](/openhands/usage/agent-canvas/customize-and-settings) — Configure skills, MCP servers, and backend-synced settings.
* [Setup a Pre-built Automation](/openhands/usage/agent-canvas/prebuilt-automations) — Get started with a ready-made automation workflow.
* [VM / Self-Hosted Installation](/openhands/usage/agent-canvas/backend-setup/vm) — Run backend-only or full Canvas on a VM and connect remotely.