---
title: "Runtime Dock"
description: "Use Shell, Browser, and Files inside the task environment, including a full-size browser with agent chat still available."
section: "Workflow"
updated: 2026-09-10
version: "0.6.0"
tags: ["runtime","shell","browser","files","artifacts","ui"]
source: "https://drowai.com/user-guide/0.6.0/runtime-dock"
---

# Runtime Dock

Product version: DrowAI 0.6.0

Source: https://drowai.com/user-guide/0.6.0/runtime-dock

Use Shell, Browser, and Files inside the task environment, including a full-size browser with agent chat still available.

The Runtime Dock brings **Shell**, **Browser**, and **Files** into the bottom of
Operations. Use it to interact with a task's isolated Kali environment while
keeping the task conversation close. In this version, file browsing lives in
the dock's **Files** pane rather than a separate File Explorer workspace.

## Open and navigate the dock

1. Open **Operations** and find the task you want to inspect.
2. Click the task's **Shell** or **Browser** action to open that runtime session.
   If the dock is collapsed, click **Runtime Dock** at the bottom of the page.
3. Switch between **Shell**, **Browser**, and **Files** using the dock tabs.
4. Drag the dock's top divider to give the pane more or less space.

Check the task name or number in the pane before interacting. Shell has a
terminal session list, Browser identifies its task in the browser menu, and
Files has its own task selector. Do not assume that changing the main chat task
also changes the runtime pane you are inspecting.

## Shell

Shell provides an interactive terminal connected to a task's container. Open
it from the task's **Shell** action, or use **Connect to Task** in the shell
toolbar to select a session. Wait for **Connected** and the terminal prompt
before typing commands.

[Image: Runtime Dock Shell tabs, connected terminal, and session controls](https://drowai.com/assets/guide/0.6.0/runtime-dock-shell.png)

- The dock tabs switch runtime views.
- The terminal header and session list identify the connected task.
- The terminal is the interactive command area inside the task environment.
- The toolbar includes **Connect to Task**, **Copy output**, **Disconnect from task**,
  and **Minimize**. The session's close control is beside its name.

Use **Minimize** to collapse the pane when you need more room for the
conversation. Task lifecycle controls such as **Stop** and **Pause** remain on
the task card in Operations.

## Browser

Open the task's **Browser** action to display its interactive Chromium browser
inside the dock. Enter a URL in the address field and press **Enter**, or use
**Go**. Interact with the loaded page directly.

[Image: Runtime Dock Browser address bar, navigation controls, and browser menu](https://drowai.com/assets/guide/0.6.0/runtime-dock-browser.png)

The toolbar provides **Back**, **Forward**, and **Reload page**; while a page is
loading, the reload control becomes **Stop loading**. The three-dot **Browser
menu** identifies the task and contains **History**, **Expand browser panel**,
**Minimize browser panel**, **Reconnect browser**, and **Close browser**.

### Full-size browser with agent chat

Choose **Browser menu → Expand browser panel** to give the browser the full
application area. **Agent chat stays available** in a floating panel at the
bottom, so you can send instructions without restoring the Operations layout.

[Image: Full-size task browser with the floating agent chat composer](https://drowai.com/assets/guide/0.6.0/runtime-dock-browser-expanded.png)

The floating panel shows the task name, a message input, mode and planning
controls, and the send button. Click its status strip to toggle the main chat
event preview when reviewing agent activity. Check the task label before
sending a message.

To return to the dock layout, open **Browser menu → Restore browser panel**.
Expanding the browser changes the layout; it does not create a new task or a
separate conversation.

## Files

Select **Files** in the dock, then choose a task from the Files pane's own task
selector. The tree shows that task's workspace files and saved artifacts. Use
**Refresh files** to reload the inventory after new output has been written.

[Image: Runtime Dock Files pane below Operations with task selection, search, file tree, and preview actions](https://drowai.com/assets/marketing/overview/isolated-environment/files.png)

1. Expand a folder in the tree, or use **Search files** to narrow the list by name.
2. Select a file to open its preview on the right. The header shows its name,
   path, and size, while the breadcrumb shows its workspace location.
3. Use **Copy file path** to copy the selected path, or **Download file** to save
   a local copy.
4. Drag the divider between the tree and preview to adjust their widths.

Use **Expand files panel** for a larger view. **Restore files
panel** returns it to the dock; **Minimize files panel** collapses it.

Files is scoped to the selected task workspace. It is not a browser for the
host machine's filesystem. Preview behavior depends on the selected file;
download files that need a separate viewer.

## When a pane is empty or disconnected

- **Shell:** check the session selection and connection status. A running task
  and available runtime are needed for an interactive shell.
- **Browser:** allow the session to open, confirm the URL, and use **Reconnect
  browser** if the display disconnects. Page reachability depends on the task
  environment's network access and VPN configuration.
- **Files:** select a task, clear the search filter, and use **Refresh files**.
  An empty preview may simply mean that no file is selected.

See [Working with tasks](https://drowai.com/user-guide/0.6.0/working-with-tasks) for runtime
lifecycle and [Scope and VPN](https://drowai.com/user-guide/0.6.0/scope-and-vpn) for network setup.