# Localhost cloud API

> A cloud SDK endpoint override that sends service calls to a local process such as LocalCloud instead of a public cloud endpoint.
>
> Source: https://local.cloud/glossary/localhost-cloud-api/

Glossary

A cloud SDK endpoint override that sends service calls to a local process such as LocalCloud instead of a public cloud endpoint.

[Read docs](https://local.cloud/docs/) [Check compatibility](https://local.cloud/compatibility/) [SDK examples](https://local.cloud/docs/sdk-examples/)

In LocalCloud

## Localhost cloud API with LocalCloud

- Environment variables are the usual routing mechanism; many standard client libraries read them, so application code stays the same.
- Some clients ignore those variables and need explicit endpoint configuration.
- Confirm the client is not silently falling back to real Google Cloud before trusting a local result.
- Unset overrides before real-cloud validation.

Copy-ready setup

## Commands and prompts

### Copy a prompt for your coding agent

#### Start LocalCloud

Give an agent one URL and have it start the local GCP sandbox.

```
Fetch https://local.cloud/ai/agents.md and follow the instructions to start LocalCloud on my machine. Install the LocalCloud CLI if it is missing, verify Docker, start or reuse LocalCloud, export emulator environment variables, and run one local GCP SDK/API smoke check. Do not ask for or use real GCP credentials.
```

Production boundary

## Before production

Use LocalCloud for non-production development, testing, and CI under the [Public Preview License](https://local.cloud/license/), check [each service's local boundaries](https://local.cloud/compatibility/), and validate against real Google Cloud before you deploy.

Related

## Next steps

- [SDK examples](https://local.cloud/docs/sdk-examples/) — Routing standard Google Cloud clients at LocalCloud.
- [Agent setup guides](https://local.cloud/agents/) — Run coding agents against LocalCloud.