When to use a connected runtime#
Use hosted Sidekick when you want the fastest path from signup to a working operator. Use a connected runtime when you already run your own automation or want LumenFlow Cloud to govern a runtime that lives closer to your systems.
Hosted Sidekick vs connected runtime#
| Mode | Best for | Runtime location |
|---|---|---|
| Hosted Sidekick | Non-technical teams and default product onboarding | Managed by LumenFlow |
| Connected runtime | Technical teams, existing agents, or custom execution environments | Operated by you |
Shared governance model#
Both paths use the same hosted control plane for:
- approvals and policy decisions
- budgets and cost controls
- action history and proof trails
- enterprise governance overlays such as evidence export and reviewer posture
The runtime can execute work in its own environment, but it stays governed centrally by LumenFlow Cloud.
What ships today#
- workspace creation and API key regeneration return a ready-to-run connect command
- Observe surfaces show runtime inventory, liveness, and compatibility status
- connected runtimes report heartbeat, sessions, events, evidence, and telemetry
- the current contract supports minimum runtime compatibility from 3.4.0 and full sync from 3.6.0
Next step#
Continue to Control-Plane SDK Quickstart for the exact enrollment flow.