---
summary: "Run the headless node host for remote command execution and browser proxy support."
read_when:
  - Running the headless node host
  - Pairing a non-macOS node for system.run
title: "node"
---

# `fased node`

Run a headless node host that connects to the gateway WebSocket and exposes `system.run` and `system.which` on this machine.

## Why use a node host?

Use a node host when you want agents to **run commands on other machines** in your
network without installing a full macOS companion app there.

Common use cases:

- Run commands on remote Linux/Windows boxes (build servers, lab machines, NAS).
- Keep exec **sandboxed** on the gateway, but delegate approved runs to other hosts.
- Provide a lightweight, headless execution target for automation or CI nodes.

Execution is still guarded by **exec approvals** and per‑agent allowlists on the
node host, so you can keep command access scoped and explicit.

## Browser proxy (zero-config)

Node hosts automatically advertise a browser proxy if `browser.enabled` is not
disabled on the node. This lets the agent use browser automation on that node
without extra configuration.

Disable it on the node if needed:

```json5
{
  nodeHost: {
    browserProxy: {
      enabled: false,
    },
  },
}
```

## Run (foreground)

```bash
fased node run --host <gateway-host> --port 18789
```

Options:

- `--host <host>`: Gateway WebSocket host (default: `127.0.0.1`)
- `--port <port>`: Gateway WebSocket port (default: `18789`)
- `--tls`: Use TLS for the gateway connection
- `--tls-fingerprint <sha256>`: Expected TLS certificate fingerprint (sha256)
- `--node-id <id>`: Override node id (clears pairing token)
- `--display-name <name>`: Override the node display name

## Service (background)

Install a headless node host as a user service.

```bash
fased node install --host <gateway-host> --port 18789
```

Options:

- `--host <host>`: Gateway WebSocket host (default: `127.0.0.1`)
- `--port <port>`: Gateway WebSocket port (default: `18789`)
- `--tls`: Use TLS for the gateway connection
- `--tls-fingerprint <sha256>`: Expected TLS certificate fingerprint (sha256)
- `--node-id <id>`: Override node id (clears pairing token)
- `--display-name <name>`: Override the node display name
- `--runtime <runtime>`: Service runtime (`node` or `bun`)
- `--force`: Reinstall/overwrite if already installed

Manage the service:

```bash
fased node status
fased node stop
fased node restart
fased node uninstall
```

Use `fased node run` for a foreground node host (no service).

Service commands accept `--json` for machine-readable output.

## Pairing

The first connection creates a pending node pair request on the Gateway.
Approve it via:

```bash
fased nodes pending
fased nodes approve <requestId>
```

The node host stores its node id, token, display name, and gateway connection info in
`~/.fased/node.json`.

## Exec approvals

`system.run` is gated by local exec approvals:

- `~/.fased/exec-approvals.json`
- [Exec approvals](/tools/exec-approvals)
- `fased approvals get --node <id|name|ip>`
- `fased approvals policy set --node <id|name|ip> ...`
