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Agentic Coding on a Linux VPS

Writing · 20 Feb 2026

Agentic Coding on a Linux VPS

Set up a dedicated 'werkplaats' for Claude Code

Large language models are commonly accessed in chat form, you ask or prompt something and the 'AI' answers. That's cool, but when you give the model access to digital tools, it can actually do things like looking things up, compiling code and self-testing its creations. I wanted to push this concept and gave my favourite AI agent its own fully specced workshop: a Linux server.

Instead of copy and pasting your work in a site like chatgpt.com, agentic coding happens on your computer where a managing program ('the harness') enables an AI model to use tools. These tools are existing (command line) programs that take certain input parameters, do something, and give some output. The output of the tools is automatically fed back into the AI context so it can operate in an 'agentic loop', where it combines and iterates commands to build stuff.

The agentic loop at work: Claude Code maps out the Outburn 87 project and reports its key takeaways
The agentic loop at work: Claude Code maps out the Outburn 87 project and reports its key takeaways

Some folks run agents on their own laptop, this exposes personal files and has the risk that the agentic work collides with your own human work. With my background in Linux server engineering, I set up a dedicated machine specifically for the agentic coder, and as ultimate flex gave it root-access so it can extend its own workspace with the tools needed to get things done. This Linux machine runs from a hyper-connected, always on, data centre so it can continue to work even when I sleep or when my computer is off.

Root access as ultimate flex: the agent installs nginx, arranges an SSL certificate and puts its own test page live
Root access as ultimate flex: the agent installs nginx, arranges an SSL certificate and puts its own test page live

As the 'werkplaats' is cloud based, I can access it from any device, including my immersive Vision Pro, laptop, tablet and phone. I can start build processes and be notified when things complete (or fail).

The werkplaats seen through Apple Vision Pro: floating terminals and browser windows in the living room
The werkplaats seen through Apple Vision Pro: floating terminals and browser windows in the living room

Conclusion

Coding by hand is going to be old-fashioned, agents will not replace the human entirely but roles will be different. I believe in building things, agentic coding is a logical evolution of the craft of being a developer.

100% Willem

This was written by hand. In an age of AI-generated text, the original manuscript (PDF) shows the human thought and effort behind these words.

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