leaningtech/webvm

What is it?

Key features

• 01Runs an unmodified Debian distribution in the browser via x86-to-WebAssembly translation.
• 02Provides a virtual block-based file system and Linux syscall emulation.
• 03Integrates Tailscale networking, including exit nodes and Headscale support.
• 04Lets you build custom ext2 disk images from a Dockerfile and deploy them to GitHub Pages.
• 05Includes a Claude AI integration panel that stores the API key locally in the browser.

Use cases

• Trying out a Linux shell or development toolchain without installing anything locally.
• Building a browser-based REPL, such as a Python environment, from a custom Dockerfile.
• Hosting an interactive Linux demo or tutorial environment on a static site.
• Experimenting with CTF challenges in an isolated sandbox.

Quick start

1. 1

   Clone the repository

   git clone https://github.com/leaningtech/webvm.git
2. 2

   Install dependencies

   npm install
3. 3

   Build the project

   npm run build
4. 4

   Start Nginx and open WebVM at http://127.0.0.1:8081 (after placing a disk image in custom-disk-images/)

   nginx -p . -c nginx.conf

Things to know

• !The public CheerpX deployment is free only for individuals and exploration; organizations need a commercial license.
• !Some low-level networking such as ICMP ping is not available inside the VM.
• !Users have root privileges by default and sudo is not installed.

Topics

FAQ

What is webvm?

A Linux virtual machine that runs entirely in the browser, using CheerpX to execute x86 code via WebAssembly. WebVM is a server-less Linux virtual environment that runs fully client-side in HTML5 and WebAssembly. It is designed to be Linux ABI-compatible and runs an unmodified Debian distribution, including many native development toolchains, directly in a browser tab.

Is webvm free to use? What license does it have?

webvm is open source under the Apache-2.0 license. Check the license terms before using it in commercial products.

Is webvm still maintained?

Actively maintained. The last commit to webvm was on Oct 7, 2026.

What can I use webvm for?

Trying out a Linux shell or development toolchain without installing anything locally. Building a browser-based REPL, such as a Python environment, from a custom Dockerfile. Hosting an interactive Linux demo or tutorial environment on a static site. Experimenting with CTF challenges in an isolated sandbox.

How do I install webvm?

Clone the repository: git clone https://github.com/leaningtech/webvm.git Install dependencies: npm install Build the project: npm run build Start Nginx and open WebVM at http://127.0.0.1:8081 (after placing a disk image in custom-disk-images/): nginx -p . -c nginx.conf

Where can I get webvm?

The source code and installation instructions are on GitHub: https://github.com/leaningtech/webvm