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Shareable URLs make an HTTP service running on a Devbox accessible through a devbox.so URL. Use them to access web applications, APIs, dashboards, and other HTTP endpoints from outside the Devbox. Unlike port forwarding, a shareable URL does not require a local port or a running CLI process.

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Expose a shareable URL

Expose an application running on port 3000 so you can open it in your browser:
1

Start a service

Start the HTTP service on your Devbox. For example, run a web project on port 3000.
2

Expose the service

Expose the service through a shareable URL:
Provide the Devbox name to expose the service:
The CLI prints the URL to access the service.
Output
3

Access the service

Open the printed URL in your browser to access the service.Shareable URLs require authentication, so you will be prompted to log in with your Namespace account if you are not already logged in.
Opening a shareable URL wakes a sleeping Devbox automatically. To have the service ready when the Devbox starts, define a session in the Devbox spec that runs its startup command.

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Manage shareable URLs

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View exposed URLs

View details of exposed URLs with the following commands:
View every shareable URL exposed by the Devbox:

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Remove a shareable URL

When you no longer need a shareable URL, remove it by port or name:
Remove the shareable URL for a specific port:

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Manage access

Shareable URLs use one access mode for all exposed ports on a Devbox:
  • private limits access to the Devbox owner.
  • workspace allows access to members of the workspace.
Set the access mode while exposing a port:
To inspect or change the access mode later, use devbox url access:
Output
For all available commands and options, see the devbox url CLI reference.

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Exposing ports from within a Devbox

You can also manage shareable URLs from within a Devbox with the boxctl utility. The commands work the same way, but you can omit the Devbox name because they run within the Devbox.
1

Connect to your Devbox

Open a shell in the Devbox where the HTTP service is running:
2

Run boxctl commands

Use boxctl url to expose, inspect, or remove shareable URLs from within the Devbox:

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Tell your agent

Agents running on your Devbox can manage shareable URLs with boxctl url. Ask the agent to expose the port used by your application and return its shareable URL:
Agent Prompt

Devbox URL CLI reference

Review all commands, options, and output formats.

Remote development

Connect to a Devbox and forward ports to your local machine.
Last modified on September 7, 2026