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How to run a test cluster next to your main one with Exo

Give devices their own cluster name so a test setup does not join your main Exo cluster.

Short answer: Check each device's version with uv run exo --version when running from source; then start test devices from source with uv run exo --namespace my-cluster, or set EXO_ZENOH_NAMESPACE; in the app, set Settings, Cluster, Cluster name instead. All steps.

Who it is forA home lab user trying a new Exo build or model without disturbing the cluster everyone uses.

The problemBy default every device with the same Exo version joins the same cluster.

The outcomeTwo independent clusters on one network, each with its own name.

What you need first

  • For the macOS app: a Mac with Apple silicon and macOS Sequoia 15.1 or later
  • RDMA over Thunderbolt needs macOS Tahoe 26.2 or later
  • From source: macOS or Linux with Xcode (on Mac), uv, node and rust
  • Every device on the same network and the same exo version

Steps

  1. Check each device's version with uv run exo --version when running from source
  2. Start test devices from source with uv run exo --namespace my-cluster, or set EXO_ZENOH_NAMESPACE
  3. In the app, set Settings, Cluster, Cluster name instead
  4. Keep devices with the same custom name on the same Exo version
  5. Check ~/.exo/exo_log/exo.log for devices that were seen but could not join

Prompt for your agent

With exo-explore/exo running from source, start a separate test cluster with `uv run exo --namespace my-cluster` on <devices>, confirm in the log which namespace each one uses, and make sure my main cluster is untouched.

Caveat. An app install and a source checkout number versions differently, so they only join each other with the same custom cluster name.

Use this in your AI agent

Ask your agent

Using the Deduped MCP, get the setup steps for exo-explore/exo and "Run a test cluster next to your main one"

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claude mcp add --transport http deduped https://dedupedai.com/mcp

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