Quick Brief
- The Launch: Manus (acquired by Meta for $2B+) unveiled Sandbox on January 14, 2026 fully isolated cloud virtual machines for each AI task with networking, file systems, and browser capabilities.
- The Infrastructure: Free users receive 7-day file retention; Manus Pro extends this to 21 days with automatic artifact restoration.
- The Impact: Developers gain 24/7 code execution environments without consuming local resources, positioning Meta against OpenAI and Google in agentic AI infrastructure.
Manus, the Singapore-based AI startup acquired by Meta Platforms in December 2025 for over $2 billion, announced Manus Sandbox on January 14, 2026 a cloud computing infrastructure that provisions isolated virtual machines for autonomous AI agent operations. The system allocates dedicated Linux-based environments for each task, enabling parallel execution without cross-contamination.
Architecture: Isolated Cloud Virtualization for AI Workloads
Manus Sandbox operates as a fully functional cloud computer with complete capabilities: networking protocols, persistent file systems, browser environments, and preloaded software tools. Each Sandbox executes in an isolated virtual machine that mirrors personal computing infrastructure, allowing AI agents to write and deploy code, build web applications, and manage file operations without local resource consumption.
The infrastructure supports 24/7 continuous operation. Tasks execute asynchronously on Meta’s virtualization platform while users maintain zero local computational overhead. AdwaitX analysis indicates this architecture directly competes with emerging agentic AI frameworks that require persistent execution environments beyond conversational interfaces.
The system automatically manages three lifecycle states: creation on demand, sleep/wake cycles during inactivity, and recycling after extended dormancy. File systems persist through sleep cycles, preserving data integrity across intermittent operations.
Retention Tiers: 7-Day vs. 21-Day File Persistence
| Tier | Retention Period | Auto-Restored Files | Pricing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Free | 7 days | Artifacts, attachments, Slides/WebDev | $0 |
| Manus Pro | 21 days | Artifacts, attachments, Slides/WebDev | Undisclosed |
When Sandboxes exceed retention thresholds, the system recycles virtual machines and automatically restores critical assets: user-uploaded attachments, Manus-generated artifacts, and deployment files for Slides and WebDev projects. Intermediate code and temporary execution files are not recovered. Users regain access through automatic Sandbox recreation when reopening recycled tasks.
Security Model: Zero Trust with Full Root Access
Manus implements Zero Trust architecture across all Sandbox instances. Users and AI agents possess unrestricted root-level permissions within each virtual machine, including system file modification and disk formatting capabilities. Operations remain containerized no action inside a Sandbox affects Meta’s service stability, external Sandboxes, or account-level session data.
The system distinguishes between task sharing and collaboration for data exposure control. Shared tasks display only conversation messages and output artifacts; Sandbox contents remain invisible to recipients. Collaborative sessions grant all participants full Sandbox access, enabling file reads and modifications through AI instructions. Manus automatically disables Connectors when collaboration activates, preventing third-party service access by collaborators.
Strategic Context: Meta’s $2B Bet on Agentic AI Infrastructure
Meta’s acquisition of Manus in December 2025 represented the company’s third-largest purchase, trailing only WhatsApp and Scale AI. The deal closed as China initiated export control investigations into the transaction, citing concerns over strategic AI intellectual property transfer. Meta CEO Mark Zuckerberg identified agentic AI systems that autonomously execute complex tasks rather than generate conversational responses as critical to “superintelligence” infrastructure.
Manus Sandbox positions Meta to compete with OpenAI’s agent frameworks, Google’s AutoGPT infrastructure, and Microsoft’s autonomous execution platforms. The company raised $75 million in April 2025 led by Benchmark before Meta’s acquisition approach. AdwaitX projects multi-agent orchestration frameworks will become standard infrastructure throughout 2026, with persistent execution environments replacing isolated task handlers.
The Sandbox feature ships to all users across free and paid tiers immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is Manus Sandbox?
A fully isolated cloud virtual machine allocated per AI task with networking, file systems, browsers, and 24/7 execution without local resource use.
How long before Sandbox file recycling occurs?
Free users: 7 days of inactivity. Manus Pro users: 21 days. Critical files auto-restore after recycling.
Can collaborators access my Connectors through Sandbox?
No. Manus automatically disables Connectors when collaboration is enabled to prevent third-party service access.
Does Manus Sandbox require local computing resources?
No. All execution occurs on Meta’s cloud virtualization platform. Users consume zero local CPU, memory, or storage.
