Development environments / Gemini API code execution alternative

A Gemini API code execution alternative

Gemini API code execution is a model-integrated Python tool. A persistent Linux runtime serves a different need: keeping installed tools, system settings and accumulated work across tasks. You can continue using Gemini as the model while moving compatible execution into Sandbox0.

Start buildingCompare capabilities ↓

Reviewed 2026-10-18 · Published by the Sandbox0 team

When Gemini API code execution fits

Use Gemini’s built-in tool for short Python analysis with its supplied libraries and direct model/result integration. That can reduce the orchestration your application needs for an isolated reasoning step.

When to consider Sandbox0

Consider Sandbox0 when your agent needs custom Linux tools, multiple languages and a durable writable RootFS that grows online on enabled templates. Your application must connect model tool calls to the runtime and handle outputs, deadlines and errors.

Capabilities

Gemini API code execution and Sandbox0: what persists?

Feature comparison with documentation and verification status
Environment and runtime lifetimeGemini API code executionThe documented maximum execution-environment runtime is 30 seconds.View evidence ↗Sandbox0ttl and hard_ttl default to 0 (disabled). Configure idle pause and deletion policies for the same persistent sandbox identity; an idle running sandbox still accrues compute charges.Read documentation →
Persistent filesGemini API code executionThe tool guide does not establish a customer-managed persistent-disk lifecycle.View evidence ↗Sandbox0The writable RootFS survives successful checkpoints, including software, system configuration, dependencies, and user data.Read documentation →
Whole RootFSGemini API code executionNo durable whole-Linux-RootFS contract is established for this built-in tool.View evidence ↗Sandbox0Persistence extends beyond /workspace to paths such as /usr/local, /etc, and /home. Runtime tmpfs and virtual filesystems are excluded.Read documentation →
Release compute, keep stateGemini API code executionA customer-controlled persistent-machine pause/resume interface is not established.View evidence ↗Sandbox0Pause compute between tasks; resume on available capacity. Default resume starts fresh processes from the saved filesystem.Read documentation →
Memory and process stateGemini API code executionRetained arbitrary process-memory snapshots are not established.View evidence ↗Sandbox0Experimental memory checkpoints can preserve compatible process state. Use memory: true on both pause and resume on a compatible deployment. A filesystem checkpoint alone does not preserve running processes.Read documentation →

Online RootFS growth

On growth-enabled images, Sandbox0 automatically expands the writable RootFS as free space runs low, within a configured sparse logical ceiling up to 64 TiB. Agent processes keep running. Growth is enabled in the qualified Cloud region; confirm activation for other regions. Existing images and snapshots retain their captured storage geometry. The ceiling is logical capacity, not preallocated host disk.

A fixed-library Python tool is a different interface from provisioning and growing a writable Linux RootFS. For accumulated installations and data, evaluate Sandbox0’s growth-enabled device ceiling and actual retained bytes.

Files while compute is paused

Sandbox0's Files API reads persistent files without resuming compute. Filesystem-only pauses also permit edits; retained-memory pauses are read-only and reject mutations with 409. SSH, SFTP, file watching, and runtime-only mounts require running compute.

See paused file operations →

The environment is bounded to a short Python task

The guide limits an execution environment to 30 seconds, supports Python and disallows installing additional libraries. This suits a bounded calculation; custom native toolchains require a different execution path.

Source 1 ↗

The code tool has no separate runtime-hour price

The price page uses the selected model’s token rates, with no session-runtime charge. Generated code and results are output tokens when created and input tokens when reused. Compare the complete model-plus-execution workflow rather than equating token rates with VM-hours.

Source 1 ↗

Keep model choice separate from the agent computer

A built-in tool and an external runtime can be complementary. Your integration can call Sandbox0 when the task needs durable system state, then return selected results to Gemini; model inference still has its own bill.

Source 1 ↗

Pricing

Compare billing models, then price your workload

CPU allocation, memory, billing minimums, disk, plan fees, and supported workload differ. These meters are not equal-performance machine quotes. Confirm region, resource units, and included allowances before estimating a total.

Gemini API code execution

Pricing reviewed 2026-10-18

Separate code-tool enablement fee
$0 additional enablement charge
Model usage still incurs applicable token charges.
Rate source ↗
Paid-tier code execution
Selected model’s standard token rates
No charge for session runtime; code and execution results can be billed again as input when reused.
Rate source ↗
Free-tier availability
Subject to the selected model’s free-tier offer
This is not an unlimited free persistent VM.
Rate source ↗

There is no universal dollars-per-VM-hour conversion for this built-in tool. Budget model input/output separately from any external Sandbox0 compute and retained storage; connecting an external runtime does not remove inference charges.

Check current Gemini API code execution pricing ↗

Sandbox0

$0.015/GiB-hour compute (billed by the second at approximately $0.000004167/GiB-second), plus $0.02/GiB-month of retained incremental RootFS and memory checkpoint data. Shared base images and platform recovery retention are excluded; paused sandboxes accrue storage charges only.

Compute / GiB-hour
$0.015
Retained data / GiB-month
$0.02
Paused compute
$0.00

A 4 GiB agent, 100 running hours

$6.00 compute

4 GiB × 100 hours, billed by the second. Keeping 20 GiB of billable incremental data for a full billing month adds $0.40. CPU is derived from memory by the platform; choose a tier that fits your workload.

Understand storage billing →

Before migrating from Gemini API code execution

  1. Identify short calculations that can stay in the built-in tool and execution steps requiring custom packages or persistent system state.
  2. Create a compatible Sandbox0 template and connect your own model tool handler, result transport, credentials and error handling.
  3. Test repeated tasks, package retention, RootFS growth and paused-file workflows, then compare total model and runtime charges.

Common questions

Is Sandbox0 a drop-in Gemini API code execution replacement?

Evaluate API compatibility and product scope. These products serve different core workflows, so a change may require a different architecture.

Does keeping files also keep a running agent?

Filesystem state and volatile process state are separate. Sandbox0 requires explicit compatible memory checkpoints to preserve running processes; its default filesystem resume starts fresh processes.

Sources and review scope

The Boat team's Battleships directory is the discovery source. References below describe the product and plan discussed on this page. Check current availability, regional terms and billing units before migrating. Where the cited material does not establish a capability or price, the comparison identifies that uncertainty.

Battleships research record ↗ai.google.dev/gemini-api/docs/code-execution ↗ai.google.dev/gemini-api/docs/pricing ↗Sandbox0 RootFS capacity →

Related comparisons

Agency Tool Company vs Sandbox0 →Amp Orbs vs Sandbox0 →Bitrise RDE vs Sandbox0 →boxes.dev vs Sandbox0 →Capy vs Sandbox0 →Claw 2 Agent vs Sandbox0 →