An always-on agent runs in a computer environment that is intended to stay reachable rather than depending on a short interactive session. It may support remote requests, background work, monitoring, or access while the user is away from the device.
Availability does not mean unlimited authority or continuous activity. A practical setup still needs clear triggers, scoped permissions, status reporting, resource limits, recovery behavior, and a way for the owner to pause or stop it.
ELI5
An always-on agent is an AI helper kept in a computer setup that can remain available even when its owner is not sitting beside it. It waits for approved work or continues a permitted task.
For example, a traveler could remotely ask the helper to prepare files on a home workstation, then review the finished result later without leaving every application open on a laptop.
Does an always-on agent work continuously?
Not necessarily. It may remain available while idle and start work only from approved requests, events, or schedules.
What does an always-on agent need for reliable operation?
It needs stable hosting, scoped access, clear triggers, monitoring, resource limits, error recovery, and owner controls.
