What is a user-space kernel?

A user-space kernel is a kernel that runs as a normal program. It handles the system calls of a sandbox itself, so the code in the sandbox does not talk to the host kernel directly.

Updated

How it works

The sandbox runs as a container. Each system call the code makes goes to the user-space kernel and not to the host. The user-space kernel does the work itself and passes only a small set of calls to the host.

When providers choose it

A user-space kernel needs no hardware virtualization and adds little memory to each sandbox. gVisor is the common one.

User-space kernel technologies

  • gVisor

    An application kernel from Google. Used by Agent37 Cloud, Bunny Sandbox, Cua Fleets, Modal and Sandbox0.

Compared with other isolation types

How each type keeps sandboxes apart

TypeOwn kernelProviders
MicroVM43
ContainerNo10
User-space kernelThis termIn user space5
Full VM19

Providers that use user-space kernels

All User-space kernel sandboxes
  • Agent37 CloudPersistent Linux sandboxes and VMs for code and agents.
    Isolation
    gVisor
    vCPU / hr
    $0.001
    Free tier
    $5 credit
  • Bunny SandboxIsolated cloud sandboxes for AI agents, run on gVisor.
    Isolation
    gVisor
    vCPU / hr
    $0.020
    Free tier
    Not listed
  • Cua FleetsHosted Linux and Windows sandboxes for computer-use agents.
    Isolation
    gVisor
    vCPU / hr
    $0.045
    Free tier
    Not listed
  • ModalServerless compute with sandboxes and GPUs.
    Isolation
    gVisor
    vCPU / hr
    $0.071
    Free tier
    $30 / month
  • Sandbox0Long-running agent sandboxes with durable storage.
    Isolation
    gVisor
    vCPU / hr
    Included
    Free tier
    Not listed

Related terms

All glossary terms

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