Resident is an open-source sandbox runtime designed for ESP32 devices, enabling developers to run user-created Lua apps with hardware IO access and hot-reloading capabilities. It addresses the need for a secure and flexible environment where user code, including that from AI agents, can be executed on embedded hardware, facilitating rapid prototyping and iteration on devices commonly used by makers and hardware startups.
The platform provides a Lua sandbox that isolates app execution while exposing approved hardware peripherals through C++ drivers. Events from hardware and the network—such as those delivered via JSON over websockets or MQTT—are accessible within the sandbox, allowing for responsive and interactive applications. Resident supports both the esp-idf and Arduino frameworks, making it adaptable to a range of ESP32-based projects. Developers can create, validate, and push Lua applications over the network using the built-in command-line interface, web app, or websocket agent, with hot reload enabling immediate updates on the device.
Resident is delivered as a runtime that can be integrated into existing ESP32 firmware by adding the Resident::Sandbox and custom drivers. It manages device connectivity, including Wi-Fi setup and JSON message routing, leveraging the Courier library for comprehensive network functionality. A web-based simulator is also available, allowing users to experiment with the sandbox and test apps directly in the browser without requiring physical hardware. The platform supports app sharing, enabling end users to load and swap applications on their devices.
The tool is distributed under the MIT Open Source License, and all documentation, quick start guides, API references, and example projects are available on GitHub. Resident is positioned as a composable building block for embedded systems, aiming to integrate with a broad range of firmware and back-end services while supporting the evolving needs of AI agents and user-driven device customization.
Resident is a Frameworks & SDKs product. It focuses on enabling rapid development and testing of code on ESP32 devices with sandboxing and hot reload. It is built as an open-source project for embedded developers. Resident is open source under the MIT license. It runs on the web and the command line, and it can be self-hosted.
Behind Resident is Inanimate Tech, and the product first shipped in 2026. Development happens publicly on GitHub with 79 stars and 206 commits in the last 90 days. PulseGate's similarity index finds few close equivalents — Resident occupies a relatively distinct niche. Key capabilities include hot reload, Hardware IO, and webSocket support. Resident is currently in beta.
Latest indexed changes and source events
Code sandbox with hot reload for ESP32 devices discovered by the PulseGate indexer
Other apps tracked under the same category.
