> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://docs.stepsecurity.io/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://docs.stepsecurity.io/github-actions/harden-runner/harden-runner-installation.md).

# Harden Runner Installation

There are three ways to install Harden-Runner depending on your environment:

1. ARC (Actions Runner Controller)
2. Self-Hosted VM
3. GitHub Hosted Custom VM

<figure><img src="/files/xaNNxUgcdW1siQdTV1dT" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

### ARC (Actions Runner Controller)

Actions Runner Controller (ARC) allows you to run GitHub Actions self-hosted runners at scale on Kubernetes.

Integrating Harden-Runner with ARC helps secure your runner fleet by enforcing outbound network policies, monitoring runtime behavior, and preventing supply chain attacks.

To configure an ARC cluster in StepSecurity, please follow the provided setup instructions. If the instructions have not been enabled in your account, please [contact us](https://www.stepsecurity.io/contact) for setup assistance.

### Self Hosted VM

Self-hosted options allow you to execute workflows on your own infrastructure rather than using GitHub-hosted environments. This provides greater control, security, and customization options for your CI/CD pipelines.

To configure an self-hosted runner in StepSecurity, please follow the provided setup instructions. If the instructions have not been enabled in your account, please [contact us](https://www.stepsecurity.io/contact) for setup assistance.

### GitHub Hosted Custom VM

GitHub Hosted Custom VMs allow you to run workflows on a managed virtual machine while still maintaining some configuration control. Installing Harden-Runner on these VMs adds an additional security layer that monitors and controls runtime behavior within ephemeral environments.

To configure a GitHub Hosted Custom VM in StepSecurity, please follow the provided setup instructions. If the instructions have not been enabled in your account, please [contact us](https://www.stepsecurity.io/contact) for setup assistance.


---

# Agent Instructions
This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com.

## Querying This Documentation
If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question.

Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter:

```
GET https://docs.stepsecurity.io/github-actions/harden-runner/harden-runner-installation.md?ask=<question>
```

The question should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language.
The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation.

Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.