exe.dev (Shelley): A Claude Code Alternative for Persistent Linux VM Development

exe.dev is a cloud development platform developed by exe.dev that provides persistent Linux virtual machines with Shelley, an agentic AI coding assistant built in. Each VM comes with SSH access, automatic HTTPS provisioning, and IAM controls. As a Claude Code alternative, it is best suited for developers who want a full Linux environment with an AI agent that builds and deploys complete applications — not just assists with individual code edits.

At $20/month flat, exe.dev provides 2 CPUs, 8 GB RAM, 100 GB disk, and access to a shared pool of up to 50 VMs. Shelley tokens (the AI usage within each VM) are billed at model-provider rates with no markup, meaning developers pay the underlying cost of the AI model without a platform premium on top.

exe.dev vs. Claude Code: Quick Comparison

Key Strengths

• Persistent Linux environment: Unlike ephemeral sandbox environments, exe.dev VMs persist across sessions. Code, packages, configuration, and running processes survive disconnection. This makes it possible to leave long-running builds, servers, or agent workflows running and return to them later — behavior that is not possible with Claude Code's stateless terminal sessions.
• Agentic full-stack building with Shelley: Shelley is not a code completion tool; it is an agentic assistant that can scaffold full-stack applications, install dependencies, run tests, and deploy services within the persistent VM. This is closer to an autonomous developer than a smart autocomplete.
• SSH + browser access: Developers can connect via standard SSH from any client (including local terminals, VS Code Remote, or JetBrains Gateway) or through the exe.dev browser interface. There is no proprietary client to install.
• Automatic HTTPS and IAM: Each VM gets automatic HTTPS provisioning and access control via IAM, making it straightforward to expose services for demos, testing, or sharing with teammates via secure shared links.
• Transparent AI token pricing: Shelley AI usage is billed at model-provider rates without a platform markup. Developers pay what the underlying model actually costs, which is more cost-transparent than platforms that add a margin to API costs.

Known Limitations

• Cloud-only infrastructure: exe.dev VMs run on exe.dev's cloud infrastructure. There is no local or self-hosted option. Sensitive codebases that cannot leave the organization's network perimeter are not compatible with the current offering.
• Shared VM pool: The $20/month personal plan shares a pool of up to 50 VMs. While this provides cost efficiency, it may introduce resource contention for compute-intensive workloads. Dedicated VM capacity requires the Teams or production plan.
• No native IDE extension: exe.dev does not provide a VS Code or JetBrains plugin with inline AI completions. Developers who rely on in-editor suggestions need to use SSH-based remote development or the browser interface, which may not match the ergonomics of a native IDE extension.
• Shelley token costs variable: While tokens are billed at provider rates without markup, costs for heavy agentic usage (long multi-step tasks, large codebases) can accumulate. Developers coming from a flat-rate tool like GitHub Copilot may find the usage-based model harder to budget.

Best For

exe.dev is best suited for developers who want an AI agent that can autonomously build and deploy full-stack applications in a persistent cloud Linux environment. It is particularly valuable for solo developers and small teams building web applications, APIs, or services who want to hand off significant implementation work to Shelley rather than having an assistant that only helps with individual code snippets. Developers who frequently SSH into remote machines or use cloud development environments will find exe.dev's model familiar and productive.

Pricing

• Personal: $20/month — 2 CPUs, 8 GB RAM, 100 GB disk, up to 50 VMs (shared pool); Shelley tokens billed at model-provider rates.
• Teams: Contact exe.dev — for organizations needing dedicated resources, team-level IAM, and production workload support.
• Usage-based (production): Available for scaling production traffic; pricing based on actual resource consumption.

Prices are subject to change. Check the official site for current details.

Tech Details

• Type: AI App Builder (cloud Linux VM + agentic AI assistant)
• IDEs: Browser-based interface + SSH (compatible with VS Code Remote, JetBrains Gateway, or any SSH client)
• Key features: Persistent Linux VMs, SSH access, Shelley agentic coding, automatic HTTPS/IAM, shareable links, full-stack application building, AI sandbox environment, usage-based model token billing
• Privacy / hosting: Cloud (exe.dev infrastructure); user data stored in persistent VM disk. No local or self-hosted option.
• Models / context window: Multiple underlying model providers; specific model names and context window sizes not publicly disclosed. Users pay at provider rates without markup.

When to Choose This Over Claude Code

• You want an AI agent that builds entire applications autonomously in a persistent Linux environment rather than assisting with individual code edits.
• You need a cloud development environment with SSH access, persistent state, and automatic HTTPS — not just a terminal assistant.
• You prefer a flat $20/month subscription to unpredictable usage-based API billing for heavy coding sessions.
• You want to share working development environments with teammates or clients via secure shared links without setting up your own infrastructure.
• You are comfortable with a remote-first development workflow and do not require an in-editor AI extension.

When Claude Code May Be a Better Fit

• You want to use AI assistance directly within your local development environment without moving to a cloud VM.
• You need the specific capabilities of Anthropic's Claude models (reasoning, long context, coding benchmarks) rather than a model-agnostic platform.
• Your project involves sensitive code that cannot be processed on a third-party cloud infrastructure.
• You prefer a terminal-centric workflow where the AI assistant integrates with your local shell, Git, and local filesystem.

Conclusion

exe.dev is the right Claude Code alternative for developers who want more than an AI assistant — they want an AI agent operating inside a full persistent Linux environment with deployment capabilities. The flat $20/month pricing and transparent token costs make it accessible for individual developers, while the persistent VM model and SSH access fit naturally into professional cloud development workflows.

Sources

• Official Site

FAQ