mac-mini-server

Set up OpenClaw on Mac Mini as always-on AI server — hardware recommendations, macOS config, Docker Desktop, launchd auto-start, Tailscale remote access, and cost comparison vs VPS. Use when deploying OpenClaw on Mac Mini for 24/7 personal AI.

Jump to install

Repository: dvcrn/openclaw-skills-marketplace
Last source activity: March 15, 2026 at 09:13
Detected SKILL.md language: English
Stars: 29
Forks: 10

Install options

The review-first prompt is selected by default. You can switch to a direct command or download a local copy.

Install with Codex or Claude Copy this prompt, paste it into Codex, Claude, or another assistant, and let it review the skill page and install it for you.

A direct command skips the review prompt. Inspect the source before running it.

npx skills add https://github.com/dvcrn/openclaw-skills-marketplace --skill mac-mini-server

The command stays on one line. Scroll horizontally to inspect it before copying.

Prefer a local copy? Download the files currently available to SkillsMP.

Review the source files

Read SKILL.md and any companion files shown by SkillsMP before deciding whether to install.

SKILL.md

Source instructions · Read-only preview

Back to search Back to installation

Use Case	Pick	Why
Cloud APIs only (Claude, GPT)	M4 32GB	Plenty of power, great value
Local + cloud hybrid	M4 Pro 48GB	Run Ollama + OpenClaw together
Multi-client server	M4 Pro 64GB	Headroom for multiple agents
Budget-conscious	M4 16GB	Works fine for single user

# Prevent sleep entirely
sudo pmset -a sleep 0
sudo pmset -a disksleep 0
sudo pmset -a displaysleep 0

# Restart after power failure
sudo pmset -a autorestart 1

# Disable hibernation
sudo pmset -a hibernatemode 0

# Verify settings
pmset -g

# Prevent auto-restart for updates
sudo defaults write /Library/Preferences/com.apple.SoftwareUpdate AutomaticallyInstallMacOSUpdates -bool false

# Enable SSH
sudo systemsetup -setremotelogin on

# Enable Screen Sharing (optional)
sudo defaults write /var/db/launchd.db/com.apple.launchd/overrides.plist com.apple.screensharing -dict Disabled -bool false
sudo launchctl load -w /System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.screensharing.plist

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"
echo 'eval "$(/opt/homebrew/bin/brew shellenv)"' >> ~/.zprofile
eval "$(/opt/homebrew/bin/brew shellenv)"

brew install --cask docker

# Launch Docker Desktop
open -a Docker

# Wait for Docker to start, then verify
docker --version
docker compose version

brew install git node pnpm tailscale jq htop

cd ~
git clone https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw.git
cd openclaw

# Install dependencies and build
pnpm install
pnpm build

# Build Docker image
docker build -t openclaw:latest .

mkdir -p ~/.openclaw
cp openclaw.example.json ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json
nano ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json

version: "3.8"
services:
  openclaw-gateway:
    image: openclaw:latest
    container_name: openclaw-gateway
    restart: unless-stopped
    volumes:
      - ~/.openclaw:/home/node/.openclaw
      - ./:/host/openclaw:rw
      - /var/run/docker.sock:/var/run/docker.sock
      - ~/.ssh:/home/node/.ssh:ro
    ports:
      - "127.0.0.1:3000:3000"
    environment:
      - NODE_ENV=production

docker compose up -d
docker compose logs -f  # verify startup

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN" "http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
    <key>Label</key>
    <string>com.openclaw.gateway</string>
    <key>ProgramArguments</key>
    <array>
        <string>/usr/local/bin/docker</string>
        <string>compose</string>
        <string>-f</string>
        <string>/Users/YOUR_USER/openclaw/docker-compose.yml</string>
        <string>up</string>
        <string>-d</string>
    </array>
    <key>RunAtLoad</key>
    <true/>
    <key>KeepAlive</key>
    <false/>
    <key>StartInterval</key>
    <integer>300</integer>
    <key>StandardOutPath</key>
    <string>/tmp/openclaw-launchd.log</string>
    <key>StandardErrorPath</key>
    <string>/tmp/openclaw-launchd-err.log</string>
    <key>EnvironmentVariables</key>
    <dict>
        <key>PATH</key>
        <string>/usr/local/bin:/opt/homebrew/bin:/usr/bin:/bin</string>
    </dict>
</dict>
</plist>

# Replace YOUR_USER with actual username
sed -i '' "s/YOUR_USER/$(whoami)/g" ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.openclaw.gateway.plist

# Load the service
launchctl load ~/Library/LaunchAgents/com.openclaw.gateway.plist

# Verify
launchctl list | grep openclaw

# Install (already done via brew)
brew install --cask tailscale

# Or use CLI version
brew install tailscale

# Start and authenticate
sudo tailscale up

# Get your Tailscale IP
tailscale ip -4

# Enable Tailscale Serve for HTTPS
tailscale serve https / http://127.0.0.1:3000

{
  "acls": [
    {"action": "accept", "src": ["your-devices"], "dst": ["mac-mini:*"]}
  ]
}

# 1. Create bot via @BotFather on Telegram
# 2. Get your user ID via @userinfobot
# 3. Edit config
nano ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json

{
  "channels": {
    "telegram": {
      "enabled": true,
      "token": "YOUR_BOT_TOKEN",
      "dmPolicy": "allowlist",
      "dmAllowlist": ["YOUR_USER_ID"]
    }
  }
}

# Restart to apply
docker compose restart

Method	Pros	Cons
Tailscale (recommended)	Zero config, encrypted, free	Requires client on each device
Cloudflare Tunnel	Free, no open ports	Slight latency, CF dependency
ngrok	Easy setup	Free tier limited, costs for production
Router port forwarding	Direct access	Security risk, dynamic IP issues
WireGuard	Fast, self-hosted	Manual setup, maintain yourself

brew install cloudflared
cloudflared tunnel login
cloudflared tunnel create openclaw
cloudflared tunnel route dns openclaw agent.yourdomain.com

# Create config: ~/.cloudflared/config.yml
cat > ~/.cloudflared/config.yml << EOF
tunnel: YOUR_TUNNEL_ID
credentials-file: /Users/$USER/.cloudflared/YOUR_TUNNEL_ID.json
ingress:
  - hostname: agent.yourdomain.com
    service: http://localhost:3000
  - service: http_status:404
EOF

cloudflared tunnel run openclaw

Model	Capacity	Runtime	Price	Best For
APC BE425M	425VA	~15min	$55	Budget, Mac Mini only
CyberPower CP685AVRG	685VA	~20min	$80	Mac Mini + router
APC BR700G	700VA	~25min	$120	Mac Mini + monitor + router
CyberPower CP1500PFCLCD	1500VA	~45min	$220	Full setup with margin

# macOS reads UPS status via USB automatically
# Configure in System Settings → Energy → UPS
# Set: "Shut down after using UPS battery for: 10 minutes"

#!/bin/bash
# Check if OpenClaw container is running
if ! docker ps | grep -q openclaw-gateway; then
    echo "$(date): OpenClaw container not running! Restarting..." >> /tmp/openclaw-monitor.log
    cd ~/openclaw && docker compose up -d
    # Send alert via Telegram (if bot is available on host)
    curl -s "https://api.telegram.org/botYOUR_TOKEN/sendMessage" \
      -d "chat_id=YOUR_ID&text=⚠️ OpenClaw was down. Auto-restarted."
fi

crontab -e
# Check every 5 minutes
*/5 * * * * bash ~/{baseDir}/scripts/health_check.sh

# Install monitoring tools
brew install htop btop

# Check resources
htop                          # Interactive process viewer
docker stats                  # Container resource usage
df -h                         # Disk space

Factor	Mac Mini	VPS	Cloud
Upfront cost	$699	$0	$0
Monthly cost	Lowest	Low	Highest
Performance	Best (M4 chip)	Good	Good
Latency	Depends on internet	Consistent	Consistent
Maintenance	You handle	Managed	Managed
Local models	✅ Yes	❌ No	❌ Expensive
Break-even vs VPS	~4 years	—	—

Spec	Base	Upgraded
CPU	10-core	10-core
GPU	10-core	10-core
RAM	16GB	32GB (+$200)
Storage	256GB	512GB (+$200)

Spec	Base	Upgraded
CPU	12-core	14-core
GPU	16-core	20-core
RAM	24GB	48GB (+$200) / 64GB (+$400)
Storage	512GB

Spec	Base	Upgraded
CPU	10-core	10-core
GPU	10-core	10-core
RAM	16GB	32GB (+$200)
Storage	256GB	512GB (+$200)

Spec	Base	Upgraded
CPU	12-core	14-core
GPU	16-core	20-core
RAM	24GB	48GB (+$200) / 64GB (+$400)
Storage	512GB

Item	Monthly Cost
Electricity (~15W average)	~$2
Internet (existing)	$0
Tailscale	Free
AI APIs	$50-500
Total	$52-502/mo
Year 1 (with hardware)	$1,323-6,723
Year 2+	$624-6,024

name	mac-mini-server
description	Set up OpenClaw on Mac Mini as always-on AI server — hardware recommendations, macOS config, Docker Desktop, launchd auto-start, Tailscale remote access, and cost comparison vs VPS. Use when deploying OpenClaw on Mac Mini for 24/7 personal AI.
homepage	https://www.agxntsix.ai

Item	Monthly Cost
Server	$15
AI APIs	$50-500
Total	$65-515/mo
Year 1	$780-6,180

Item	Monthly Cost
EC2	$60
Storage	$10
Bandwidth	$5-20
AI APIs	$50-500
Total	$125-590/mo
Year 1	$1,500-7,080

mac-mini-server

Source facts

Install options

Review the source files

More from this repository

More from this repository

🖥️ Mac Mini Server

1. Hardware Recommendations

Mac Mini M4 (2024) — $499 base

Mac Mini M4 Pro — $1,399 base

🖥️ Mac Mini Server

1. Hardware Recommendations

Mac Mini M4 (2024) — $499 base

Mac Mini M4 Pro — $1,399 base

Which One?

2. macOS Initial Setup

Disable Sleep & Energy Settings

Enable Auto-Login

Disable Automatic Updates Reboots

Enable Remote Access

3. Homebrew + Docker Desktop

Install Homebrew

Install Docker Desktop

Install Essential Tools

4. OpenClaw Docker Compose Setup

Clone and Build

Configure

docker-compose.yml

Launch

5. Launchd Service (Auto-Start on Boot)

6. Tailscale for Remote Access

Access from Anywhere

Tailscale ACLs (recommended)

7. Telegram Bot Configuration

8. Port Forwarding Alternatives

Cloudflare Tunnel (alternative to Tailscale)

9. UPS Recommendations

Auto-Shutdown on Power Loss

10. Monitoring and Alerts

Basic Health Check Script

Cron-Based Monitoring

System Metrics

Uptime Monitoring (External)

11. Cost Comparison

Mac Mini M4 32GB ($699 one-time)

VPS (Hetzner CX32 — 4 vCPU, 8GB RAM)

Cloud (AWS t3.large)

Verdict

Quick Start Checklist

Credits