# Common questions

> What people ask about Muxin: the FAQ on its home page.

## How much does Muxin cost?

Nothing, on a Mac, Linux or Windows. Muxin is free and open source, under the Apache License 2.0. The code is on [GitHub](https://github.com/LumaryLabsLLC/muxin).

[Muxin for iPad](https://apps.apple.com/app/muxin-for-ipad/id6829937152) is free to download, with a demo. Reaching your own machines from it takes a subscription: $15 a month in the US.

## Which platforms does it run on?

The app runs on macOS 12 or later, Linux and Windows 11, on Intel, AMD and Arm processors. On Linux there’s a .deb, an .rpm, an Arch package, an AppImage and the AUR. It can manage Macs, Linux machines and Windows PCs.

[Muxin for iPad](https://apps.apple.com/app/muxin-for-ipad/id6829937152) is on the App Store, for iPadOS 18 or later.

## Where does my data go?

- Your settings and your list of machines stay on your computer.
- Muxin connects to your machines with your own ssh.
- Files you copy go through the app on your computer.
- Web apps you open from a machine stay on `localhost`. Nothing opens on the network.
- GitHub uses your `gh` login. A DigitalOcean token stays in your Mac’s Keychain, in Windows’ Credential Manager, or in a private file on Linux.
- The shared clipboard is off until you turn it on. On a Mac or Windows, passwords you copy from a password manager stay on your computer. The Linux app can’t tell them apart, so they’re shared with the rest.
- The app has no analytics or telemetry.
- Alerts to an iPad, shares and pairing pass through muxin.dev. [The privacy policy](/privacy) says exactly what it sees.

## What do cloud machines cost?

What DigitalOcean charges for the size you pick. They’re in your own account, and you pay DigitalOcean directly.

DigitalOcean bills a machine while it exists, even powered off. Only destroying it stops the charges.

Muxin shows what each one costs. It can also remind you about, turn off or delete a machine that sits idle.

## Do I need to install anything on my machines?

No. If you can `ssh` into it with a key, Muxin can add it. Muxin installs its own small helper and keeps it up to date. On Windows, turn on OpenSSH Server first.

## Do my machines need to be on the same network?

No. Muxin reaches any machine you can `ssh` into. With Tailscale, that works from anywhere.

## Which agents does it work with?

Claude Code, Codex, OpenCode, Gemini CLI, Amp, Pi, or a plain shell. Muxin finds which ones each machine has.

## Can my AI agents use Muxin?

Yes. Muxin has an MCP server with 90+ tools, so Claude Code, Codex or any MCP client can use your machines. Muxin tells them to ask you before changing anything. [Set it up](/docs/agents).

## How do I update it?

Muxin tells you when a new version is out, in the sidebar. About shows how to update the copy you have: with Homebrew or the AUR, or the new file to download, which installs over the old one and keeps your settings. Linux packages update with your package manager.

## Wasn’t it called Muxen?

Yes. Muxin was called Muxen before 0.5.1. Updating keeps your settings, machines and sessions. The `muxen` command still works too.

## Where can I read how it works?

In the [docs](/docs), with pictures of each step. AI agents can read them too, at [llms.txt](/llms.txt).