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# Islo glossary

> Factory-centered definitions of Machines, reusable Agents, Lines, runs, integrations, and Gateways, followed by runtime infrastructure terms.

## Factory

A Factory is the organizing workspace in Islo, containing related [Lines, Agents, Machines, and runs](/concepts/factory-model).

## Line

A Line is a [workflow of stages and transitions](/concepts/lines) that defines how repeatable work proceeds.

## Stage

A Stage is [one step in a Line](/concepts/lines), assigning work to an Agent and using its result to choose what happens next.

## Agent

An Agent is a [reusable worker configuration](/concepts/agents) in a Factory, with prompt or script instructions and an assigned Machine. Line stages use that Agent to perform work.

## Machine

A Machine is a [prepared environment](/concepts/machines) with the repositories, dependencies, and tools an Agent needs.

## Run

A Run is [one execution of a Line](/operate/runs), recording stage progress, events, and results.

## Suggested Line

A Suggested Line is a [ready-made starting workflow](/use-cases/suggested-lines) you can deploy with its Agents into your factory.

## Manager

The Manager [coordinates a Line run](/concepts/manager) and handles questions and instructions while it proceeds.

## Delegator

The Delegator [routes requests from connected tools](/concepts/manager) to a Line or an existing run.

## Integration

An integration connects a tool such as [GitHub](/integrations/github), [Slack](/integrations/slack), or [Linear](/integrations/linear) so work can arrive in a Factory and Agents can act in connected services. Connections can have team or personal scope; see [Authentication](/cli/authentication).

## Gateway

A Gateway [controls Agents' access to connected services](/cli/gateways) through outbound policies and credential injection. A Machine can carry the gateway profile its Agents use, keeping injected service credentials out of Agent processes.

## Runtime infrastructure

These terms describe the infrastructure used for Machine execution within Factory workflows.

### Sandbox

A Sandbox is an [isolated runtime computer](/concepts/sandbox-lifecycle) used to execute work with its own filesystem and processes.

### Snapshot

A Snapshot is a [saved sandbox state](/cli/snapshots) that lets later work start from an already prepared environment.