Motion
Self-hosting

Linux

Install Motion on a Linux machine — Docker or native.

Docker

curl -fsSL https://motionis.xyz/connect.sh | sh -s -- <connect-token>

Runs the workspace in a container (--restart unless-stopped, so it survives reboots). Needs Docker installed.

curl -fsSL https://motionis.xyz/connect.sh | sh -s -- --host <connect-token>

The native install:

  • Downloads a self-contained bundle for your arch (x64 or arm64) — daemon, Caddy, Node, the web IDE, and the tunnel agent. Nothing else required.
  • Picks free ports automatically (no :3000/:8800 collisions).
  • Installs a systemd service when available (root → system unit, otherwise a user unit with lingering) so it survives reboots and restarts on crash; falls back to a foreground process where systemd isn't present.
  • Installs the motion CLI onto your PATH.

Requires glibc ≥ 2.36 (Ubuntu 24.04+, Debian 12+). On older distros use Docker instead.

What it browses

By default native uses your home directory as the IDE root. To expose the whole machine or a specific folder, see What the IDE can see.

Verify

motion status     # running? shows root, hub, version, components
motion doctor     # full health check + update availability

Overview

Docker vs native, supported platforms, and what to expect.

macOS

Run Motion on a Mac with Docker or a native install.

On this page

DockerNative (recommended for a real dev box)What it browsesVerify