Add a machine

A machine is a computer you own that runs Spaces for you. Once it is added, it shows up in Machines on all your devices, your agents can create Spaces on it, and you can open its desktop from anywhere. Cua doesn't rent machines: add a Mac on your desk, a spare box in the office, or a VM in your own cloud account.

Add a machine from the app#

You need Cua Spaces on the computer you are adding, or its install command.

1. In Cua Spaces, open Machines and press Add a machine. You can also find it in the Getting Started checklist and the command palette.
2. If you belong to a team, choose who the machine is for next to Add it for: Just me or the team. See Team machines.
3. On the other computer, do one of these:
   • Open the link.
   • Scan the QR code with its camera.
   • Run the install command in its terminal. Choose macOS / Linux or Windows (preview) in the dialog to get the right command.
4. If Cua Spaces is already on that computer, open Machines there, press Join with a code and paste the code. The app asks before it joins.
5. Watch the dialog. It says "Waiting for the computer..." and then "Added", and the machine appears in your list.

The link and code work once and expire after a short time. The dialog shows how long is left. Press Revoke link to cancel one you no longer need, or Make a new link if it expired.

Add a machine by hand#

If you can't use the link, set the computer up yourself:

1. Install Cua Spaces on it. See Install.
2. Sign in with the same account you use here. A machine joins the account it is set up with.
3. Open This machine, choose how to use it, and press Set up for access.

Or run this in a terminal on that computer:

cua host setup

It signs you in to cua.ai for that one command if needed, and installs a background service that joins the relay. See Set up unattended access for the options. To use a spare machine only to run Spaces, see Host Spaces on a spare Mac.

What each system needs#

Reach it from your other devices#

A device reaches your machines through the cua.ai relay only after it is enrolled once with a second factor, so a stolen account session alone is not enough. Signing in on your own computer enrolls it. A brand-new device on an account that already has an enrolled device needs an approval from one of them. Open Settings, Devices to enroll or approve. The full steps are in Set up unattended access.

Stop sharing or remove a machine#

On the machine, run:

cua host stop       # disconnect everyone and refuse new connections
cua host remove     # unregister, uninstall the service, delete ~/.cua/host

An owner or admin can remove a team machine at app.cua.ai/machines. Removing a machine doesn't delete anything on it.

If it doesn't work#

Next#

• Connect your agent: let an agent use the new machine.
• Create a Space: run a Space on it.
• Teams: share machines with your team.