sandbox-runtime vs gh-aw-firewall
Process sandboxing projects compared
sandbox-runtime and gh-aw-firewall both add restrictions around commands run by automated agents. sandbox-runtime focuses on operating-system controls for filesystem and network access, while gh-aw-firewall centers on Docker-based outbound network filtering and protecting supported LLM credentials in a sidecar.
sandbox-runtime: Restrict Process Access Without Containers
Anthropic Sandbox Runtime wraps processes with OS-enforced filesystem and network restrictions, aimed especially at AI agents and MCP servers. It is actively maintained, but remains a beta research preview with platform-specific setup and limitations.
gh-aw-firewall: Restrict Network Access for Agentic Workflows
A Docker-based firewall for running agentic workflow commands with outbound traffic limited to approved domains. It also isolates LLM credentials in a sidecar, making it useful for teams that need tighter network and secret controls around automated agents.
| sandbox-runtime | gh-aw-firewall | |
|---|---|---|
| Language | TypeScript | TypeScript |
| License | Apache-2.0 | MIT |
| Stars | 5.5k | 150 |
| Forks | 481 | 72 |
| Last analyzed | Oct 10, 2026 | Oct 3, 2026 |
Key differences
- sandbox-runtime applies filesystem and network restrictions to a process and its child processes; gh-aw-firewall filters outbound HTTP/HTTPS traffic for commands in a Docker sandbox.
- sandbox-runtime supports macOS and Linux sandboxing, with alpha Windows support; gh-aw-firewall documents Ubuntu-compatible Linux systems and preview microVM backends with platform constraints.
- sandbox-runtime provides a CLI and TypeScript library; gh-aw-firewall offers declarative JSON or YAML configuration and a GitHub Actions setup action.
- gh-aw-firewall's API proxy sidecar keeps supported LLM API credentials outside the agent process; sandbox-runtime focuses on restricting process access.
- sandbox-runtime is licensed under Apache-2.0 and is described as a beta research preview; gh-aw-firewall is MIT-licensed and has retired releases v0.25.21 through v0.25.39 because of a billing-impacting bug.
- sandbox-runtime has 5.5k stars and 481 forks; gh-aw-firewall has 150 stars and 72 forks.
Choose sandbox-runtime if you…
- need OS-level filesystem and network restrictions for processes beyond Docker-based workflows.
- want a CLI or TypeScript library for wrapping arbitrary processes, including MCP servers.
- need macOS support or are prepared to evaluate its platform-specific setup and beta limitations.
Choose gh-aw-firewall if you…
- need outbound domain filtering for commands in Docker or GitHub Actions workflows.
- want supported LLM API credentials kept in a sidecar rather than the agent process.
- need traffic logs, audit views, or URL-pattern filtering with SSL Bump.
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This comparison is generated with AI from the OSRepos analyses of both projects. Always check each project's repository and documentation before choosing.