---
name: sprites-quickstart
description: Create a Fly.io Sprite — a persistent Linux VM an agent can build, test, and run services in — and connect to it over MCP or the CLI.
license: Apache-2.0
---

# Sprites quickstart

A Sprite is a full Linux machine with a persistent filesystem. It keeps running
between sessions, so services you start stay up and files you write stay put.
Use one to run builds, migrations, test suites, and dev servers somewhere other
than a laptop.

## Connect over MCP

The hosted MCP server is the fastest path for an agent. It requires
authentication, so the request must carry a Fly.io token.

```
https://sprites.dev/mcp
```

For Claude Code:

```sh
claude mcp add --transport http sprites https://sprites.dev/mcp
```

Agent-specific plugins that wrap this server — with skills, commands, and
confirmation hooks already wired up — are listed at
<https://fly.io/sprites/ecosystem>.

## Use the CLI

Install:

```sh
curl https://sprites.dev/install.sh | bash
```

On Windows:

```powershell
iwr https://sprites.dev/install.ps1 -useb | iex
```

Then authenticate and create a Sprite:

```sh
sprite login
sprite create my-sprite
```

Run a command inside it, or open a shell:

```sh
sprite exec -s my-sprite -- ls -la
sprite console -s my-sprite
```

## What to reach for

- **Checkpoints** snapshot the whole filesystem in about a second. Take one
  before anything destructive, and restore if it goes wrong.
- **Services** keep long-running processes alive between sessions and give
  them a URL.
- **Network policy** controls what the Sprite is allowed to reach.

Reference documentation: <https://fly.io/sprites>