# Evaluate a sandbox provider before you commit

A practical method for choosing a cloud sandbox for AI agents: write a threat model, score a shortlist, estimate the real cost, test the boundary and question the vendor.

- Level: Practitioner
- Length: 60 minutes
- Exam questions: 10, pass mark 80%, up to 3 attempts
- Certificate: valid for 12 months

## What you will learn

- Write a six-line threat model for an agent workload.
- Score two or three providers on six questions, and record the source and date for each score.
- Estimate a monthly bill from runs, run length, sandbox size and published rates, and name what the estimate leaves out.
- Run five escape checks and a metadata address test from inside a trial sandbox.
- Send the same written questions to every vendor and plan an exit path.

## Lessons

1. [Write a threat model and score a shortlist](https://agentsandboxes.fyi/academy/evaluate-an-agent-sandbox-provider/threat-model-and-shortlist.md) (15 minutes)
2. [Estimate the real cost](https://agentsandboxes.fyi/academy/evaluate-an-agent-sandbox-provider/estimate-the-real-cost.md) (15 minutes)
3. [Test the boundary in a trial](https://agentsandboxes.fyi/academy/evaluate-an-agent-sandbox-provider/test-the-boundary.md) (15 minutes)
4. [Vendor questions and an exit path](https://agentsandboxes.fyi/academy/evaluate-an-agent-sandbox-provider/vendor-questions-and-exit.md) (15 minutes)

## Questions

### Do I need to write code to follow this course?

Some steps run short commands inside a trial sandbox. If you do not write code, do these steps with a technical colleague.

### Does passing the exam mean a provider is approved?

No. The certificate of completion records that you passed this site's exam. Approval is your organisation's decision, based on your own tests.

### Can I use the tools on this site for the method?

Yes. The compare tool lines up two or three providers. The sandbox cost estimator does the cost arithmetic with the rates you enter. Check each rate on the vendor's page.

Also on the [web page](https://agentsandboxes.fyi/academy/evaluate-an-agent-sandbox-provider).