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The macOS app is the OpenClaw menu bar companion: native tray UI, macOS permission prompts, notifications, WebChat, voice input, Canvas, and Mac-hosted node tools such as system.run. Only need the CLI and Gateway? Start with Getting started.

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Download

Get macOS app builds from OpenClaw GitHub releases. When a release ships macOS app assets, look for:
  • OpenClaw-<version>.dmg (preferred)
  • OpenClaw-<version>.zip
Some releases only ship CLI, evidence, or Windows assets. If the newest release has no macOS app asset, use the newest one that does, or build from source with macOS dev setup.

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First run

  1. Install and launch OpenClaw.app.
  2. Pick This Mac for a local Gateway, or connect to a remote Gateway.
  3. Local mode: wait while the app installs its user-space runtime and Gateway.
  4. Complete provider setup and the macOS permission checklist.
  5. Send the onboarding test message.
For the CLI/Gateway setup path, use Getting started. For permission recovery, use macOS permissions.

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Choose a Gateway mode

ModeUse it whenDetail page
LocalThis Mac should run the Gateway and keep it alive with launchd.Gateway on macOS
RemoteAnother host runs the Gateway; this Mac controls it over SSH, LAN, or Tailnet.Remote control
Local mode needs an installed openclaw CLI. On a fresh Mac, the app installs the matching CLI and runtime automatically before starting the Gateway wizard. See Gateway on macOS for manual recovery.

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What the app owns

  • Menu bar status, notifications, health, and WebChat.
  • macOS permission prompts for screen, microphone, speech, automation, and accessibility.
  • Local node tools: Canvas, camera/screen capture, notifications, and system.run.
  • Exec approval prompts for Mac-hosted commands.
  • Remote-mode SSH tunnels or direct Gateway connections.
The app does not replace the Gateway or general CLI docs. Gateway configuration, providers, plugins, channels, tools, and security live in their own docs.

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macOS detail pages

TaskRead
Install or debug the CLI/Gateway serviceGateway on macOS
Keep state out of cloud-synced foldersGateway on macOS
Debug app discovery and connectivityGateway on macOS
Understand launchd behaviorGateway lifecycle
Fix permissions or signing/TCC issuesmacOS permissions
Connect to a remote GatewayRemote control
Read menu bar status and health checksMenu bar, Health checks
Use the embedded chat UIWebChat
Use voice wake or push-to-talkVoice wake
Use Canvas and Canvas deep linksCanvas
Host PeekabooBridge for UI automationPeekaboo bridge
Configure command approvalsExec approvals, advanced details
Inspect Mac node commands and app IPCmacOS IPC
Capture logsmacOS logging
Build from sourcemacOS dev setup