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

# Environments

> The MCP server has two modes — sandbox and live. Ask the assistant to switch, or use veil_set_mode directly.

The MCP server uses the same two-mode model as the rest of Veil: **sandbox** and **live**. All reads and writes are scoped to the active mode. See [Sandbox vs. production](/concepts/sandbox-vs-production) for context.

## Switching modes

Your initial mode is set from your account: individuals start in **live**; developers start in **sandbox** until they go live. To switch, ask the assistant in natural language — it calls `veil_set_mode` on your behalf. Check your current mode any time with `veil_get_session_status` (see [Checking the current mode](#checking-the-current-mode)), or see [Sandbox vs. production](/concepts/sandbox-vs-production) for who can use which mode.

**Switch to live:**

```dialog theme={null}
You: Switch to live mode.
[calls veil_set_mode with mode="live"]
→ status: "switched", activeMode: "live"
Assistant: Done. You are now in live mode. Real funds will move on your next offramp.
```

**Switch back to sandbox:**

```dialog theme={null}
You: Switch back to sandbox.
[calls veil_set_mode with mode="sandbox"]
→ status: "switched", activeMode: "sandbox"
Assistant: Done. You are now in sandbox mode.
```

<Note>
  Mode switching affects only this installation. The dashboard and other paired devices are not changed. Use the dashboard's mode toggle to change all surfaces at once.
</Note>

## Checking the current mode

`veil_get_session_status` returns `user.activeMode` — either `sandbox` or `live`. The assistant reads this at the start of most workflows.

```dialog theme={null}
You: What mode am I in?
[calls veil_get_session_status]
→ status: "authenticated", user.activeMode: "sandbox"
Assistant: You are in sandbox mode.
```

## See also

* [Session tools](/mcp/tools/session) — full input/output detail for `veil_set_mode` and `veil_get_session_status`
* [Sandbox vs. production](/concepts/sandbox-vs-production) — how the two environments differ across all surfaces
* [In-chat flow](/mcp/in-chat-flow) — complete offramp walkthrough