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

# Introduction

> What Preloop runs, and whether you need the self-hosted control plane or the standalone runner.

Preloop runs GitHub Actions workflows on hardware-isolated microVMs. Your `.github/workflows` files stay unchanged. You choose where the jobs run: on your own machine, on servers you operate, or on hosts that register with GitHub.

Preloop ships as two products. You can use either one on its own.

![A failed step, a fix in another pane, and a re-run, all local with no push required](https://mintcdn.com/preloop/OGyZqdRph9qrEfDT/demo/demo.gif?s=57112ab15ddd37e91f1210cbfb68fd53)

> **[Control plane](/control-plane/quickstart)**
>
> Run unmodified workflows locally or on your own infrastructure. `preloop run` executes a workflow against your working tree, including uncommitted files. `preloop serve` runs the engine, which can start runs from GitHub pushes and pull requests through a GitHub App, and can pause a failed job so you can debug it.

> **[Runner](/runner/overview)**
>
> A standalone, drop-in replacement for `actions/runner`. It registers with GitHub or a Preloop server, polls for jobs, and runs them on the host where it is installed. It needs no control plane, microVMs, or background services.

![Preloop system overview: clients, the control plane, the VM pool, and microVMs](https://mintcdn.com/preloop/s1ue1_-W-VSMG5Hz/diagrams/system-overview.svg?fit=max\&auto=format\&n=s1ue1_-W-VSMG5Hz\&q=85\&s=eed7dd0ffaa9427b19baf857c9a5bc6e)

## Where to go next

> **[Quickstart](/control-plane/quickstart)**
>
> Install the CLI and run your first workflow locally.

> **[Install](/control-plane/install)**
>
> Requirements for macOS, Linux, and WSL2, and running the engine as a service.

> **[Configuration](/control-plane/configuration)**
>
> The config file, GitHub credentials, and secrets.

> **[CLI reference](/control-plane/reference/cli)**
>
> Every command and flag.

> **[Compatibility](/compatibility)**
>
> How closely Preloop matches GitHub Actions, and where it differs.

> **[Comparison](/comparison)**
>
> How Preloop compares with other local and self-hosted CI tools.


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