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feat: external compute driver extension point #1907

Description

@johntmyers

Description

Track the extensibility capability proposed by #1703: allowing the gateway to connect to an operator-owned, out-of-tree compute driver over a Unix domain socket via --compute-driver-socket / OPENSHELL_COMPUTE_DRIVER_SOCKET.

At a high level, this lets OpenShell keep the gateway and sandbox lifecycle contract stable while allowing compute backends to live outside the core repository and speak the existing compute_driver.proto interface.

Context

What This Unlocks

  • Lets operators integrate platform-specific compute backends without requiring every backend to be built into OpenShell.
  • Allows managed or opinionated infrastructure environments to provide their own sandbox lifecycle driver while using the upstream gateway image.
  • Keeps the in-tree driver set focused on common backends while enabling external driver experimentation and adoption.
  • Creates a path for partner, internal, or deployment-specific compute drivers to evolve independently from the core gateway release cycle.

Definition of Done

  • The external compute driver activation path is accepted, merged, or closed with a clear disposition.
  • Follow-on issues are created for any accepted v1 hardening, documentation, registry, or testing work.
  • Child work is linked under the relevant roadmap/project item so project tracking stays accurate.

Activity

  1. added this to the OpenShell Beta milestone on Jun 23, 2026
  2. github-actions commented on Jul 12, 2026

    @github-actions

    This issue has had no activity for 14 days and is now marked stale. It may be closed in 7 days if there is no further activity. Comment or remove the state:stale label to keep it open.

  3. jolong-debug commented on Sep 14, 2026

    @jolong-debug

    @elezar Hi Evan is this blocked? There hasn't been any activity here since July.

  4. elezar commented on Sep 15, 2026

    @elezar
    Member

    @jolong-debug no this isnt' blocked. My understanding is that it is complete and all in-tree drivers can also be configured as external drivers.

    @drew / @johntmyers are we missing something? Can we close this issue?

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area:cliCLI-related workarea:gatewayGateway server and control-plane work

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