> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.make87.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Introduction

> Secure, outbound-only access to physical devices with a native development experience

<Note>
  **m87** is make87's command line and device runtime for connecting to, debugging, and deploying software to distributed hardware fleets — all over a single outbound connection and without VPNs or inbound firewall rules.
</Note>

## What is m87?

m87 provides secure, outbound-only access to physical devices with a native-feeling development, debugging, and software deployment experience. It consists of two components:

* **`m87` command** - The CLI you type in your terminal on your developer machine
* **m87 runtime** - The on-device process that maintains the outbound connection and executes actions

## What makes m87 different

m87 isn't just remote access — it's designed so working with real devices feels like local development and deployment:

<CardGroup cols={3}>
  <Card title="Outbound-only access" icon="arrow-up-right-from-square">
    Works behind NATs and firewalls without opening inbound ports or configuring VPNs
  </Card>

  <Card title="Native dev experience" icon="terminal">
    Shell, port forwarding, logs, and live debugging feel like you're working locally
  </Card>

  <Card title="Deployment-ready" icon="rocket">
    One command line that transitions from access to orchestrating software deployments across fleets
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

If you've ever SSH'd into an embedded device only to run into network traps or scaling pain, m87 makes those workflows easy and repeatable.

## Core capabilities

### Development and debugging

Use native OS tools and IDEs as if the device were local:

```bash theme={null}
# Open an interactive shell
m87 my-device shell

# Forward a port for a debugging server
m87 my-device forward 8080:localhost:3000

# Run commands directly
m87 my-device exec -- htop

# Access Docker on the remote device
m87 my-device docker ps
```

### Software deployment

Deploy containers and services using familiar commands:

```bash theme={null}
# Deploy a Docker Compose stack
m87 my-device docker compose up -d

# Register async deployments for offline devices
m87 my-device deploy ./my-compose.yml

# Check deployment status
m87 my-device deployment status --logs
```

### File operations

Transfer and sync files with SCP and rsync-style commands:

```bash theme={null}
# Copy files to/from device
m87 cp ./local-file my-device:/remote/path
m87 cp my-device:/remote/file ./local-path

# Sync directories with watch mode
m87 sync --watch ./src my-device:/app/src
```

## Platform support

<Info>
  **Linux** (amd64, arm64) - Full functionality (CLI + runtime)

  **macOS** (amd64, arm64) - CLI only (use for managing remote devices)
</Info>

## Quick links

<CardGroup cols={2}>
  <Card title="Installation" icon="download" href="/installation">
    Get m87 installed on your developer machine and edge devices
  </Card>

  <Card title="Quick start" icon="rocket" href="/quickstart">
    Connect your first device in under 5 minutes
  </Card>

  <Card title="GitHub repository" icon="github" href="https://github.com/make87/m87">
    View source code, open issues, and contribute
  </Card>

  <Card title="make87 platform" icon="globe" href="https://make87.com">
    Learn more about the make87 platform
  </Card>
</CardGroup>

## License

The m87 project is open source:

* **m87-client** and **m87-shared** - Apache-2.0
* **m87-server** - AGPL-3.0-or-later