mac-mini-llm-lab

name	mac-mini-llm-lab
description	Configure a Mac mini as a reliable local LLM server with remote access, observability, and power-safe operation. Use when building an always-on private AI inference server on Apple Silicon.
license	MIT
metadata	{"author":"devops-skills","version":"1.0"}

Mac mini LLM Lab

Turn a Mac mini into a low-noise, always-on local AI appliance.

When to Use This Skill

Use this skill when:

• Setting up a dedicated local LLM inference server
• Building a private AI development environment
• Need always-on model serving without cloud costs
• Running models that require Apple Silicon unified memory (32-192GB)
• Creating a home lab AI server for a small team

Prerequisites

• Mac mini with Apple Silicon (M2/M3/M4, 16GB+ unified memory recommended)
• macOS Sonoma 14+ or Sequoia 15+
• Ethernet connection (recommended over Wi-Fi)
• UPS for power protection (optional but recommended)

Initial System Setup

# Update macOS
softwareupdate --install --all

# Install Xcode command-line tools
xcode-select --install

# Install Homebrew
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"


brew install tmux htop btop wget jq git neovim


brew install python@3.12 uv


brew install prometheus node_exporter