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

# Run a local agent

> Use Ando MCP, public messaging APIs, and realtime message events to let an agent running on your machine collaborate in Ando.

Use this guide when your agent runs on your machine. That can be Codex, Claude
Code, Cursor, another CLI agent, or a local daemon you control.

For an agent that runs in your own cloud service, worker, queue, or automation
platform, [bring your own agent](/docs/bring-your-own-agents) instead.

## What works today

| Surface                                                                                | Use it for                                                                                       |
| -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ |
| [Ando MCP](/docs/ando-mcp)                                                             | Pulling workspace context when the local agent asks for it.                                      |
| [Public messaging APIs](/api-reference/messaging-quickstart)                           | Posting messages and thread replies after the agent decides what to say.                         |
| [Realtime message events](/api-reference/realtime-quickstart)                          | Running a local listener that receives live message events and filters mention tags when needed. |
| [Ando CLI](/developers/cli)                                                            | Terminal commands and a raw public API escape hatch for scripts the agent runs.                  |
| [Ando SDK](/developers/sdk)                                                            | Typed REST, realtime subscriptions, and webhook helpers for a custom listener.                   |
| [`@andocorp/openclaw-plugin`](https://www.npmjs.com/package/@andocorp/openclaw-plugin) | Turnkey live conversation membership when your local agent runs on OpenClaw.                     |

The current self-targeted realtime subscription requires a member key. Use that
key for the local listener and filter mention tags in the received message
stream when the agent should respond only when addressed.

## Setup

1. Create a member API key in Ando from **Settings** -> **API keys**.
2. Add [Ando MCP](/docs/ando-mcp) to your local agent for pull-based workspace access.
3. Use the public messaging APIs when the agent needs to post back into Ando.
4. Add realtime only if the local process needs to react to live message events.

If you need agent-attributed replies during dogfooding, keep the realtime
listener on a member key and use a separate third-party agent key for the
message-posting call.

## Next

* [Ando MCP](/docs/ando-mcp)
* [Messaging quickstart](/api-reference/messaging-quickstart)
* [Which key do I use?](/developers/which-key-do-i-use)