Hub-box mode
Hub-box is a deployment shape for teams or invited beta users. It’s not self-host in the strict sense — Gray runs the server — but every user gets their own dedicated container, their own files, and their own brain.
When to use it
Section titled “When to use it”- You’re running a small team of people on Gray and want individual instances without each person standing up their own server.
- You’re an invited beta user — Gray’s hub-box is how we ship the invite-only beta program.
- You want self-host privacy without self-host operations.
How it works
Section titled “How it works”- One Docker container per user (
vb-<slug>). - One volume per user — your files don’t mix with anyone else’s.
- A shared front-door (
hub.layergray.com) that routes<your-slug>.hub.layergray.comto your container. - Your container can use sponsored API keys (Gray’s keys, billed to Gray) or your own — see Bring your own keys.
Sponsor Mode
Section titled “Sponsor Mode”If you’re a beta or trusted user, your admin may have flipped Sponsor Mode on for your account. This means Gray’s OpenAI, Anthropic, Grok, ElevenLabs, and Composio keys back your turns — no API setup on your end.
Sponsor Mode is revocable any time by the admin. If you’d rather use your own keys, follow Bring your own keys.
What you can’t do on hub-box
Section titled “What you can’t do on hub-box”- Customize systemd or the server OS.
- Add custom skill files outside your volume.
- Run Gray as a multi-tenant service to your own customers — that’s what Enterprise is for. Contact us.