> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.celesto.ai/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Long-running agents

> Design long-running AI agent jobs with Celesto durable computers, stop/start lifecycle, saved workspace state, and large storage for artifacts.

Long-running agents need continuity. A task may take many turns, multiple retries, a human handoff, or a later scheduled resume. Celesto computers let that work keep a stable place to live.

Stop the computer when the agent pauses. Start the same computer when the task resumes. Delete the computer when the saved state is no longer needed.

## Patterns that need continuity

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card icon="code" title="Large coding tasks" href="/getting-started/coding-agents">
    Keep dependencies, build output, edited files, and test results across retries.
  </Card>

  <Card icon="globe" title="Browser investigations" href="/getting-started/browser-agents">
    Save reports, screenshots, downloaded files, and intermediate notes.
  </Card>

  <Card icon="database" title="Large artifacts" href="/celesto-sdk/features/petabyte-storage">
    Store generated data, datasets, logs, and project files in CelestoFS.
  </Card>

  <Card icon="users" title="Human handoffs" href="/celesto-sdk/features/persistence">
    Resume the same computer after review, approval, or a later background job.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## Lifecycle rule of thumb

| Action | Use when                        | Result                                                   |
| ------ | ------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------- |
| Stop   | The task should continue later. | The computer turns off and keeps saved state.            |
| Start  | The agent is ready to continue. | The same computer comes back with saved files and state. |
| Delete | The task is finished.           | The computer and saved state are removed.                |

## Design your job record

For long-running workflows, store the Celesto computer ID or name alongside your own job record. That lets a worker, agent, or human-triggered resume step return to the same computer later.

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card icon="rotate" title="Lifecycle guide" href="/celesto-sdk/features/lifecycle">
    Learn create, stop, start, resume, and delete behavior.
  </Card>

  <Card icon="hard-drive" title="Persistent state" href="/celesto-sdk/features/persistence">
    Keep files, installed packages, and workspace changes between sessions.
  </Card>
</CardGroup>