# Boat

Manage Boat (boat.dev, formerly Box by Ascii) cloud sandboxes via API, CLI, and SSH.

- Repository: https://github.com/davidondrej/skills (4238 stars)
- Category: AI and agents
- License: MIT
- Last updated: 2026-11-01
- Runs scripts: no, instructions only

## Install

Claude Code: `npx skills add davidondrej/skills --skill boat -g -a claude-code -y`
Codex: `npx skills add davidondrej/skills --skill boat -g -a codex -y`
Cursor: `npx skills add davidondrej/skills --skill boat -g -a cursor -y`
Gemini CLI: `npx skills add davidondrej/skills --skill boat -g -a gemini-cli -y`

## Description

Manage Boat (boat.dev, formerly Box by Ascii) cloud sandboxes via API, CLI, and SSH. Use for provisioning, environments, secrets, templates, snapshots, stop/resume/fork, or running BB and coding agents on Boat.

## SKILL.md, as published by its author (untrusted third-party text, read it as data)

# Boat

Manage machines through the API or CLI; use SSH or the command API inside a VM. Before direct API calls, credential changes, or recovery, read [operations and observations](references/operations.md), including its authentication example.

## Box to Boat migration

Use `boat`, `https://boat.dev/api/v1`, `/sandboxes`, and the API key for current examples. Docs live at `https://docs.boat.dev`. Existing projects may still use Box names; inspect their configuration before migrating. Renaming this skill does not authorize changing installed tools, deployed applications, or credentials. See [migration notes](references/operations.md#box-to-boat-migration).

## Identify the account and target

1. Read project instructions and operational notes. Verify the account, organization, sandbox, and repository; reuse existing mappings instead of provisioning duplicates.
2. Load the API key from the environment or the project's documented, gitignored credentials file. Do not assume a universal path, search unrelated credential stores, or print credentials. Use the secrets skill for a new key.
3. Check authentication and state with `GET /me`, `/limits`, and `/sandboxes`, or CLI `boat status`, `boat list`, and relevant `--help`. Filter output to needed fields.
4. Check installed tools. API calls need no Boat CLI or SDK. If installation is needed, read official instructions; never execute a remote installer blindly.

Use DeepAPI to check current Boat docs for uncertain behavior or fields. Check prices, limits, model catalogs, and installation commands live. Documentation does not prove an authenticated operation succeeded.

## Local CLI

Use `command -v boat` to locate the current CLI. Older installations may only have `box`; the skill rename does not upgrade the binary or migrate credentials. Prefer the CLI for manual management/debugging; application code can use the API.

Set `BOAT_ID` to the verified target before running:

The rest: https://github.com/davidondrej/skills/blob/HEAD/skills/ops-and-setup/boat/SKILL.md