> Every bot shares the same files, but the compute underneath is picked for the task -- a light container for browsing, more for heavier work -- not one fixed machine for everyone.

Canonical: https://chattic.us/features/flexible-compute/

# The files are shared. The compute isn’t fixed.

Some systems give every bot the same single computer with a different view onto it. Chatticus keeps the files constant — one shared filing cabinet every bot reads and writes — and lets the compute underneath vary: a light container for most work, something heavier for work that actually needs it, picked per task instead of fixed for the whole team.

## How it works

*One identity, more than one possible host*

### A computer is a workplace, not a machine.

The workplace identity is what's durable. It can run on a scale-to-zero container today or on hardware you already own — same files, same sessions, either way.

*Async work gets its own short-lived container*

### Background work doesn't sit on a dedicated machine.

A routine or background task summons a container just for that job, does the work, publishes the result, and exits — nothing idles per bot waiting for the next task.

*Heavier work, when it's actually heavier*

### The container fits the task, not the other way around.

Most work runs light. Work that genuinely needs more — a bigger instance, a full desktop — is meant to ask for that by name, not force every task onto the same fixed shape.

*How the computer is shaped*

## One identity, whatever host the work needs

**An identity, not a machine.** A computer is a workplace identity, not one fixed machine — it runs on a scale-to-zero container, or on hardware you already own, with the same durable files either way.

**A container per job.** Background work summons its own short-lived container, does the job, and publishes — no dedicated machine sits around per bot waiting for the next task.

**Host shapes on request.** Bigger instances and full desktop sessions are host shapes a task asks for by name, chosen automatically for the work instead of configured by hand.

[Read the design memo](/wiki/computer-manifold)