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

# Open a workstation

You need a developer account and membership in a workspace to have a workstation there. Admins manage workspaces and cannot join them as members.

**1. Accept your invitation**

Open the invitation email and sign in to the [dashboard](https://app.usekolaos.com) with the invited address. Complete your organization's required sign-in steps.

**2. Select your workspace**

Select the workspace and open your workstation. KolaOS queues a workstation when you join. Wait for **READY** before opening the IDE.

If there is no workstation, ask an admin to check your workspace membership and the provisioning error. Deleting a workstation does not automatically create another one.

**3. Open the browser IDE**

Choose **Open IDE**. You do not need SSH keys or local software to use the browser IDE, and its terminal runs inside your workstation.

**4. Work in your repository**

Open the configured repository and follow its setup and test instructions. You have `sudo` for installing packages and running services. The workspace's configured tools and versions are applied to your workstation.

Only you can open your workstation or connect over SSH. An admin can inspect its overview and activity, resize it, or delete it, but cannot open your IDE.

## Reconnect

Each **Open IDE** action creates a single-use link. Browser IDE sessions last 12 hours, so open the IDE again if the session expires.

Closing the browser does not stop your processes. A stopped workstation keeps its disk, but its running processes stop. Opening a stopped workstation starts it, subject to node capacity and the organization's plan.

## Stop and start

Use **Stop** and **Start** in the dashboard or desktop app. The workspace's idle stop policy can also stop an inactive workstation. Commit and push work you need to keep independently of the workstation.

If a workstation is **FAILED**, inspect its error before choosing **Start** again. A workstation stuck in **BOOTSTRAPPING** for 30 minutes becomes **FAILED** and reports the recovery action. See [troubleshooting](https://docs.usekolaos.com/development/troubleshooting.md).

## Rename

A new workstation is named after you, for example `Ada's workstation`. To rename it, choose the pencil next to its name on the workstation's page. Only you can rename your workstation. Its SSH name and its IDE address stay the same.

## Choose another client

Use the [desktop app or SSH](https://docs.usekolaos.com/development/desktop-and-ssh.md) for local terminals and editors, or [previews](https://docs.usekolaos.com/development/previews.md) to open a development server in your browser.


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