Set up Orgo.ai as a computer for AI agents

Set up an Orgo.ai computer with the Takibi CLI, a scoped key, and agent skills. Verify your first knowledge read, then learn how to update and rebuild.

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In this guide

Give your agents a shared computer with access to the knowledge you choose. Orgo runs the computer. Takibi Base holds your documents and controls what each Profile can read. This guide ends with a successful read from an intended folder.

Allow about 15–25 minutes, plus account setup. You need an Orgo account, a Takibi account with an indexed document, and permission to install software on the computer. An always-on box costs money while it runs; your agent's model usage is separate.

Choose your computer

Laptop Open Orgo and sign in. Choose one door below.

  • Create a computer with your laptop agent, or use the dashboard's workspace selector, then New computer, choose Linux, and open the computer's Terminal.
  • Use an existing one if you already have a Linux computer. Select its workspace, open the intended computer, and choose Terminal.

Copy the computer UUID from its details or confirm it in GET /workspaces under desktops[].id. Pin that UUID, not its display name. The API's instance_id is a different identifier.

Cost note, 2026-10-21: the Orgo quickstart gives new accounts $5 of credit, which runs one Medium Linux computer by the hour — add billing_mode: "hourly" to the create request. More computers and other sizes need a paid plan. Check current pricing before creation.

Create a computer

Laptop Give this prompt to an agent that can make HTTP requests from your laptop. Supply the Orgo control key through your local secret mechanism, never chat. The agent creates the computer, installs Takibi remotely, and pauses for you to enter the Takibi key.

Creation uses workspace_id; the file-upload API uses workspaceId and desktopId. Preserve that spelling. The official quickstart documents the creation request.

Bootstrap from your laptopLOCAL
LOCAL / laptop agent. Set up one Linux Orgo computer for Takibi. Do not run the BOX commands on this laptop.
Prerequisites: an Orgo account with approved billing/credits, an Orgo API key securely injected into the local environment as ORGO_API_KEY, and the intended ORGO_WORKSPACE_ID. The human must approve the computer's cost and intended Takibi grants before you begin. Refuse unresolved <ORGO-KEY-HERE> or <PASTE-KEY-HERE> values. Never echo keys, headers, or secret-bearing commands. Keep the Orgo control key off the box.

Use the Orgo REST base https://www.orgo.ai/api (verified 2026-10-21). Authenticate with Authorization: Bearer $ORGO_API_KEY, never logging it. The quickstart at https://docs.orgo.ai/quickstart stays a reference for request shapes.
1. Confirm the workspace UUID. GET /workspaces lists computers under desktops; its first call on an empty account can create a workspace. If the human wants a new workspace, explicitly POST /workspaces with its approved name and save the returned id. Never choose by display name alone.
2. If ORGO_COMPUTER_ID already exists, validate it and skip creation. Otherwise POST /computers once with JSON {"workspace_id":"<WORKSPACE-UUID>","os":"linux","name":"takibi-agent","billing_mode":"hourly"}, substituting the confirmed UUID. The hourly setting is required for free credits per the docs checked 2026-10-18; confirm current pricing before creation. Save the returned id as ORGO_COMPUTER_ID. Do not use instance_id or fly_instance_id. This id is desktops[].id in GET /workspaces and desktopId for file uploads. Print only the workspace and computer UUIDs from the response; never print or store vnc_password, which rotates on restart.
3. If creation times out ambiguously, stop and inspect GET /workspaces for the created computer. Never blindly re-create it. Pin the confirmed UUID in local configuration.
4. Readiness: poll GET /computers/{id}, at most 12 attempts spaced 5 seconds apart, with a 10-second timeout per request and a 180-second overall deadline. Stop immediately on error, frozen, or stopped. Once running, probe node -v through POST /computers/{id}/bash with JSON {"command":"node -v"}. A 503 may retry within the same deadline. After the bound, stop and report status plus UUID for the human to inspect; do not create another computer.
5. Every BOX command below goes through POST /computers/{id}/bash with a command string in JSON. Check HTTP status AND exit_code; HTTP 200 with nonzero exit_code is failure. Do not send a Takibi key in this JSON: it would be sent to Orgo and could enter tool payload logs. Pause for human terminal entry instead.

BOX / Orgo terminal. Use Bash as the same Unix user that will run Takibi.
Refuse to run a command while any <PASTE-KEY-HERE>, <ORGO-KEY-HERE>, or other unresolved placeholder remains in its inputs. These are labels, never values to save. Refuse to echo secrets, secret-bearing commands, or authorization headers. Never use set -x. Never put keys in chat, reports, screenshots, uploads, snapshots, or shell history. Keep the Orgo control key on the laptop.

1. Record whoami and printf '%s\n' "$HOME". The image user may be root or use /home/user. Confirm this is the user that will run Takibi; keep both key and skills in that user's home. Stop on a mismatch.
2. Gate 1: run node -v and npm --version. Require Node major 20 or newer and working npm. If either is missing or too old, stop and ask the human to provision them. Confirm permission to install global npm packages; on EACCES stop for a writable npm prefix, never silently switch users with sudo.
3. Run npm view takibibase version first and record the exact version. Stop on registry failure.
4. Gate 2: install that explicit version with npm i -g takibibase@<recorded version>, then run takibi --version. Require output exactly equal to the recorded version. Stop on install failure or mismatch. Expected output ("CLI"): takibi --version prints the recorded version, e.g. 1.21.0.
5. Inspect for local customization first: check SKILL.md under ~/.agents/skills/takibi-use, ~/.claude/skills/takibi-use, and ~/.codex/skills/takibi-use. Stop for review if any contains local edits. Otherwise run takibi skill --install --force --agents --claude --codex; --force deliberately replaces the installed takibi-use skill.
6. Pause for the human. They create a scoped key in the Takibi app and type it into the non-echoing input in the Orgo terminal, never into chat or a remote bash JSON request. Do not ask them to replace <PASTE-KEY-HERE> in this prompt. Use the guide's terminal-only key entry block. Never overwrite an existing key silently; on reruns preserve it and verify its grants. chmod 600 does not isolate agents sharing the same Unix user. The CLI reads $TAKIBI_KEY_FILE when set, else ~/.takibi/key. Report this handoff with filled values, never secrets: "Installation checks passed on computer <UUID>, running as <user>. Enter your key using the terminal block, then confirm completion and provide the expected collection, folder, and a harmless search phrase." At this pause, ask the human for the expected collection name, folder name, and a harmless search phrase from a known indexed document.
7. After the human confirms key entry, Gate 3: run takibi version, then takibi projects. The first checks the API and Jev, the evidence-scoring service, not the installed CLI. Expected output ("API/Jev"): takibi version prints e.g. takibi-api 1.2.3 · jev wired · via https://…. If TAKIBI_KEY_FILE is set to an unexpected path, stop: verification may be using a different key. Confirm the collections and grants are exactly those the human intended; the human confirms grants in the Takibi app under Settings → Profiles. Empty or unexpected grants are a stop. Select the intended collection UUID for the human-provided collection name and run takibi folders --project with that UUID. Select the intended folder UUID for the human-provided folder name, then run takibi search -q with the human-provided harmless phrase, --project with that collection UUID, and --folder with that folder UUID. Use actual validated values, never literal placeholders. Confirm a result from the expected document. If there is no result, stop and have the human check indexing and scope.
8. Report only the Unix user/home, CLI version comparison, API health, intended grant check, and scoped-read outcome. Never include credentials or document contents. Installing the CLI and skill does not install, authenticate, or start Claude Code, Codex, or another agent. The human chooses and starts that agent separately.

Failure rules: missing Node/npm or readiness timeout means stop. Orgo 400 missing workspace_id: fix the request; 401: check the laptop control key; 403 size or plan error: check account plan and computer size; 404 Desktop not found: verify the saved computer UUID; 409: check running state; 503: retry only within the readiness bound. A nonzero bash exit_code is failure even with HTTP 200. Empty collections: check the Takibi Profile's grants. 422 SECRET_BLOCKED: remove the secret, never bypass the filter. Notes 403: opt-in capability is missing. Boards 403 with a folder-only key: boards need a whole-collection grant. abstained: true can exit 0; it means there was no supported answer. Jev-down does not mean the app is down; search still works. Support measures evidence support, not confidence.

Use an existing one

Orgo terminal If you took the dashboard route, give this prompt to an agent already running on that computer. If no agent is installed, follow its commands yourself in Bash. The laptop bootstrap already includes these steps; do not run both paths.

The CLI requires Node 20+. Record whoami and $HOME before installing; our box uses root, while another image may use /home/user.

Set up Takibi on this computerBOX
BOX / Orgo terminal. Use Bash as the same Unix user that will run Takibi.
Run the BOX steps from the laptop bootstrap prompt above, starting at step 1 ("Record whoami...") through step 8 and the failure rules. Skip the laptop preamble: no workspace lookup, no computer creation, no readiness polling — this computer already exists.
Refuse unresolved placeholders and never echo secrets, headers, or secret-bearing commands.

Enter your key privately

Takibi app Open Settings → Profiles, choose or create the Profile for this computer, grant only the intended collections or folders, then create its key. A scoped key opens that Profile's grants; every key on the Profile shares those grants. Start with a folder containing a known indexed document. The CLI reads TAKIBI_KEY_FILE when set, else ~/.takibi/key.

Orgo terminal At the agent's pause, run the block below yourself in Bash. It sets umask 077 before creating the key file, tightens ~/.takibi to 700 even if the folder already exists, and refuses to overwrite an existing key — a symlink to a key elsewhere counts as existing, so don't delete it to get past the check. Type the key only at the hidden prompt. Tell the agent that entry is complete without sending the key.

A key inside a remote bash JSON request is sent to Orgo. Keep secrets out of chat, logs, shell history, screenshots, uploads, and snapshots. Keep the Orgo control key on your laptop. File mode 600 protects against other Unix users; agents sharing one Unix user can still read the same key. Share this computer only with agents you trust with those grants.

Human key entry in BashTERMINAL
# TERMINAL / human only. Open Bash in the Orgo terminal.
# Type the key at the hidden prompt, never as a shell command or in chat.
# Refuse placeholders such as <PASTE-KEY-HERE>; preserve any existing key.
(
  set +x
  umask 077
  mkdir -p "$HOME/.takibi" || exit 1
  chmod 700 "$HOME/.takibi" || exit 1
  if [ -e "$HOME/.takibi/key" ] || [ -L "$HOME/.takibi/key" ]; then
    printf '%s\n' 'Key already exists. Review its grants; do not overwrite it.'
    exit 1
  fi
  IFS= read -r -s -p 'Takibi key (hidden): ' takibi_key
  printf '\n'
  case "$takibi_key" in
    ''|*'<'*|*'>'*) unset takibi_key; printf '%s\n' 'Empty key or placeholder refused.'; exit 1 ;;
  esac
  set -C
  printf '%s\n' "$takibi_key" > "$HOME/.takibi/key" || exit 1
  unset takibi_key
  chmod 600 "$HOME/.takibi/key"
)

Check your first read

Orgo terminal The prompt enforces these gates in order. If you are following along manually, stop at the first failure.

  1. node -v reports major 20 or newer, and npm --version works.
  2. Record npm view takibibase version, install that exact version, then takibi --version must equal the recorded version.
  3. takibi version checks the API and Jev, the evidence-scoring service. It does not check your installed CLI. takibi projects must show the intended grants, then a search scoped to the intended collection and folder must return your known document.

Use takibi folders --project with the intended collection UUID to find the folder UUID. Then run takibi search -q with a phrase from that document, adding --project and --folder with those UUIDs. An empty collection list or an unrelated result is not success.

You now have a verified knowledge connection. Installing Takibi and its skill does not install, authenticate, or start an agent. Start your chosen agent separately and have it read takibi-use/SKILL.md in its skill directory.

When a check fails

Stop at the first failure, then match the symptom:

400, missing workspace_id

Laptop Supply the intended workspace UUID using snake_case.

401 from Orgo

Laptop Check the injected Orgo key and its access. Never print it.

403 on create or resize

Laptop Check account plan and computer size. Free accounts launch one Medium computer by the hour; bigger sizes need a paid plan. Do not buy an upgrade automatically.

404 Desktop not found

Laptop Confirm the saved computer UUID and workspace; do not substitute instance_id.

409, not running

Laptop Inspect state. Stop on error, frozen, or stopped; have the human inspect or start the existing computer.

503 / readiness timeout

Laptop Retry probes only within the 12-attempt, 180-second bound. Then stop. Never blindly repeat POST /computers.

HTTP 200, nonzero exit_code

Laptop The remote shell failed. Read exit_code and sanitized stderr before continuing.

Missing Node/npm or EACCES

Orgo terminal Provision Node 20+ and npm, or fix install permissions for the intended user. Do not switch homes silently.

CLI version mismatch

Orgo terminal Inspect PATH and the global npm prefix. Compare again after correcting the install.

Empty or unexpected collections

Takibi app Check the Profile's intended grants. Orgo terminal Confirm the key belongs in this user's home without printing it.

422 SECRET_BLOCKED

Orgo terminal Strip secrets from the submitted text and retry. This also covers task titles, bodies, reasons, and artifacts.

Notes 403

Takibi app Notes capabilities are opt-in per Profile. Ask the owner to approve the required capability.

Boards 403 with a folder-only key

Takibi app Task boards require a whole-collection grant. The owner must approve that broader access.

abstained: true, exit 0

Orgo terminal The request succeeded without a supported answer. Broaden the query, search, then read the document; if the evidence still isn't there, report it missing.

Jev-down

Orgo terminal The app may still be available. Ask can degrade to answerability: unknown; search still works.

Support score

Orgo terminal Support is not confidence. Check citations and answerability, and show both sides when evidence conflicts.

Update or rebuild

Orgo terminal To update, run npm i -g takibibase@latest, then takibi skill --install --force --agents --claude --codex, and repeat the three gates. Review local skill edits first because --force replaces them. Takibi runs per command, so the CLI needs no restart. Its daily update notice only warns; it never installs an update.

Laptop To upload files to the computer, see the file-upload reference.

Laptop → Orgo terminal Use this rebuild checklist after a stop or deletion.

  • Stop archives the disk and leaves the computer frozen; start restores files, including the key. Running processes and detached sessions die. Start your agent again and repeat the three gates.
  • A deleted computer needs a new POST /computers. Save the new UUID, pass readiness, reinstall the Takibi npm package, provision a scoped key, install the skill, and repeat the three gates. Restore only approved assets.
  • For a rerun on the same computer, keep the saved UUID and existing key. Check grants before use. Rotate the credentials in the Takibi app if the old computer was exposed.

Our box had no working cron daemon or systemd, so don't plan unattended maintenance around them without checking yours first. Orgo template cron triggers require a custom template on the Scale plan; this setup does not need them. See triggers and templates before planning unattended maintenance.

Ready to set this up?Create your workspace and connect your first agent — this guide walks you through each step.

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