Run agents on the plan you already pay for
Cursor's background agents bill model usage at API rates. Your Compute runs Claude Code, Codex or OpenCode on the Claude and ChatGPT subscriptions you already pay for, or on your own API key, with Docker and sudo in every terminal, at a flat monthly price from $39.
From $39 a month · Docker and sudo included · Cancel from the dashboard any time
| Them | Cursor background agents | detachbox |
|---|---|---|
| What you pay for | Model usage at API rates, drawn from your Cursor plan | Compute from $39 a month, plus your subscription or API usage. Every project included. |
| Models | The models in Cursor's catalogue | Claude Code, Codex and OpenCode on your own subscriptions, or keys from seven providers |
| Where it runs | An isolated cloud VM per agent | Your Compute, with its files and containers, always on |
| docker compose | Set up through a Dockerfile in environment.json | Preinstalled; your compose file runs as on your laptop |
| Terminal | The agent's VM, opened from the Cursor editor | A full terminal in any browser, tmux behind every one |
| All subscription limits in one view | No | Yes |
Vendor pages and docs, checked 28 to 30 September 2026.
When it is the better pick
Cursor's agents fit a team that lives in the Cursor editor and launches runs from it. detachbox fits when you want your own Claude or Codex plan, a stack that stays up and a terminal you can walk into.
Questions about this
Can I keep using Cursor with detachbox?
Yes, side by side. Keep Cursor for the code you write at the desk and give the long jobs to agents on your Compute. They push branches you pull into Cursor, and keep running after the editor closes.
What does a long agent run cost me?
On your own subscription, the model cost is the plan you already pay for. Compute is a flat monthly price, from $39. With an API key, model usage is billed separately by the provider.
Do I need a Cursor plan for detachbox?
No. detachbox runs the agents' own CLIs on your Claude and ChatGPT subscriptions or your own API keys.
Other comparisons
- lid closedvs your laptopThe laptop stops the agent when the lid closes. Your Compute keeps going.
- laptop appvs Orca and ConductorDesktop apps make the laptop a better place for agents. detachbox makes the laptop optional.
- €19.99 + an eveningvs a DIY VPSA bare VPS is cheap until you count the evening of setup.
- $0.18 an hourvs GitHub CodespacesCodespaces bills every hour and stops at 12 hours. Your Compute stays on all month for one flat price.
- €6vs TerminalboxBoth stay on. detachbox adds Docker, three terminals and a limits board for $39.
- In your planvs cloud agentsEach cloud session or task gets a new environment. Your Compute keeps the repo, the history and a warm database for the next one.
- $20–$200vs DevinDevin is its own agent on its own plans. detachbox runs the agents you already use.
Run agents on the plan you already pay for
Pick a size, hand the agent the job and close the tab. Come back to finished work.
Get my ComputeYour first overnight run works, or your money back · Cancel from the dashboard; it runs to the end of the paid month