> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://oximy.com/docs/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# On your computer

> Run Sidekick locally so it can act directly on your machine.

Running a thread on your computer lets Sidekick act directly on your machine instead of a cloud placement: reading local files, writing to them, and calling tools that only make sense locally. This page covers turning it on and what changes when a thread runs locally.

## Before you start

Local execution needs two things in place: the **desktop app** installed on your machine, and **admin enablement** turned on for your workspace. If either is missing, the option to run locally won't be available.

## Run a thread on this computer

<Steps>
  <Step title="Choose This computer in the composer">
    In the composer, switch the placement to **This computer**. The thread now runs on your machine instead of in the cloud.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Add a local file or folder">
    Add a file or folder from your machine and the thread pins itself to that machine for the rest of its run. Local files stay local: they are read and written on your computer and are not copied to the cloud.
  </Step>

  <Step title="Watch the liveness bar">
    The liveness bar shows whether your machine is **Online**, **Offline**, or **Checking**, along with pills for each folder you've granted access to. Use it to confirm the thread can actually reach your machine before you rely on it.
  </Step>
</Steps>

<Warning>
  A thread running on your computer can change files and call tools on the device, within the permissions you grant. Only grant access to folders you're comfortable with Sidekick reading and writing.
</Warning>

## Where to go next

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="How work runs" icon="workflow" href="/docs/sidekick/concepts/how-work-runs">
    How a thread executes on a harness inside a placement, and why the thread stays the record.
  </Card>

  <Card title="Local execution" icon="monitor-cog" href="/docs/sidekick/admin/local-execution">
    How admins control when and how agents are allowed to run on employee computers.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>