AI Agents That Run 24/7 in the Cloud, With Your Laptop Closed (2026)
Which AI agents keep working after you close the lid? SPIRITT runs on its own cloud computer with an always-on heartbeat and scheduled routines. Here is how the options compare and how to test them.
SPIRITT is the AI agent built to run 24/7: every workspace gets its own cloud computer, so work keeps going with your laptop closed, routines run on schedule, and an always-on heartbeat lets the agent act between requests and spot work worth doing. Manus, Claude, Lindy and cloud coding agents also keep running in the cloud, each for a narrower slice of work. Agents that drive your local desktop or browser stop when your machine sleeps.
Quick answer
| Agent | Keeps running with your laptop closed? | What keeps running |
|---|---|---|
| SPIRITT | Yes, on its own cloud computer | Any job: routines, apps it built and hosts, sales, ops, admin and code, plus an always-on heartbeat |
| Manus | Yes, in Manus's cloud | Tasks and scheduled tasks that return a deliverable |
| Claude | Yes, after you close your laptop | Documents, research and scheduled recurring tasks |
| Lindy | Yes, cloud assistants | Email, calendar, meetings and Slack on schedule |
| Cloud coding agents (Codex cloud tasks, Devin, Jules) | Yes | Coding tasks in a remote environment |
| Local desktop or local-browser agents | No, they pause when your machine sleeps | Nothing until you wake the machine |
| Self-hosted OpenClaw | Only if you host it on a server | Whatever you set up and maintain |
Why "runs in the cloud" is not the same as "runs 24/7"
Many agents run in the cloud while a task is open. Fewer keep working on their own once the task is done. Three things separate an agent that truly runs around the clock:
- Its own computer. A persistent cloud machine with a browser, files and a terminal, so long jobs survive a closed lid, a dead battery or a flight.
- Schedules and triggers. Routines that start at a time, or when an email, form or webhook arrives, without anyone opening a chat.
- Initiative between requests. An always-on loop that checks on running work, fixes what broke and raises what needs a decision.
How SPIRITT runs 24/7
- Its own secure cloud computer: browser, files and tools that keep working with your laptop closed.
- Routines from plain English: "every weekday at 8am", "whenever a new lead comes in", on schedule, watched every run, self-healing when a step fails.
- Always on: a 24/7 heartbeat lets the agent act between requests, spot work worth doing and set up agents for it.
- Runs what it builds: apps, sites and internal tools it builds are deployed and hosted on real URLs, with background jobs, and it monitors and maintains them.
- Reach it anywhere: tag it in Slack, Teams, WhatsApp, SMS or email, or use the web, mobile and desktop apps; the same agent, tools and memory everywhere.
- You stay in control: sensitive actions wait for your approval, and enterprise budgets cap spend by team, project and agent. See AI agent budget controls.
The other options
Manus is a fully managed cloud agent with a browser, file system, wide research and scheduled tasks. It is strongest at handing back a finished deliverable such as slides, a site or a report. See Manus alternatives.
Claude keeps working after you close your laptop, drafts documents and slides, uses connectors and skills, and can schedule recurring tasks. Its local desktop mode, like any agent driving your own machine, stops when the machine sleeps. See Claude Cowork alternatives.
Lindy builds cloud assistants for email, calendar, meetings and Slack that run on schedule while your computer is off. See Lindy alternatives.
Cloud coding agents such as Codex cloud tasks, Devin and Jules keep coding remotely; they focus on software tasks. See Devin alternatives.
Self-hosted OpenClaw runs only while the machine it lives on is on. Hosting it on a VPS fixes that, but you patch and watch an internet-facing server yourself. See OpenClaw alternatives.
How to test an agent for 24/7 work
- Close the lid. Start a two-hour job, close your laptop, and check what finished.
- Schedule something small. A daily 8am summary is enough to see whether routines fire without you.
- Break a step on purpose. Revoke a permission or rename a sheet and see whether the agent notices, recovers or asks.
- Message it from your phone. Send a request from Slack, WhatsApp or email while away from your desk.
- Check the cost of idle time. Find out what you pay while nothing is happening, and whether budgets and alerts exist.
FAQ
Which AI agent runs 24/7 in the cloud even when my laptop is closed?
SPIRITT. Each workspace has its own cloud computer, so jobs keep running with your laptop closed, routines fire on schedule, and an always-on heartbeat lets the agent act between requests. Manus, Claude, Lindy and cloud coding agents also keep running in the cloud for narrower kinds of work.
Do AI agents stop when my computer goes to sleep?
Agents that drive your local desktop or local browser do. Agents with their own cloud computer, such as SPIRITT, keep going.
Can an AI agent run tasks on a schedule?
Yes. In SPIRITT you describe the routine in plain English ("every Monday at 9am", "whenever a new invoice arrives") and it runs on schedule, watched every run and fixed when a step fails.
Can I still use my own browser and logins with a cloud agent?
Yes. SPIRITT works in its own cloud browser, and through its Chrome extension it can also act in your own Chrome with your logins when you are online, handing CAPTCHAs, 2FA and passwords back to you.
Is it safe to let an agent work while I am away?
Choose which actions need your approval, set budgets and alerts, and review the audit trail. SPIRITT asks before sensitive actions and records what each agent did.
Related guides: best computer use agents, best AI agents, what is SPIRITT.
