Files
openclaw-openclaw/docs/platforms/mac/dev-setup.md
Peter Steinberger f7d7148cf0 docs: rewrite published docs grounded in current source (#100142)
Source-grounded rewrite of 529 published docs pages with per-unit information-loss verification: 1,713 factual corrections cited to src/**, generated surfaces regenerated, frontmatter titles preserved for i18n, release notes pages untouched. All docs gates green.

Closes #100141
2026-07-05 00:32:47 -04:00

107 lines
2.8 KiB
Markdown

---
summary: "Setup guide for developers working on the OpenClaw macOS app"
read_when:
- Setting up the macOS development environment
title: "macOS dev setup"
---
# macOS developer setup
Build and run the OpenClaw macOS application from source.
## Prerequisites
- **Xcode 26.2+** (Swift 6.2 toolchain), on the latest macOS available in
Software Update.
- **Node.js 24 & pnpm** for the gateway, CLI, and packaging scripts. Node
22.19+ also works.
## 1. Install dependencies
```bash
pnpm install
```
## 2. Build and package the app
```bash
./scripts/package-mac-app.sh
```
Outputs `dist/OpenClaw.app`. Without an Apple Developer ID certificate, the
script falls back to ad-hoc signing.
For dev run modes, signing flags, and Team ID troubleshooting, see
[apps/macos/README.md](https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/blob/main/apps/macos/README.md).
Fast dev loop from repo root: `scripts/restart-mac.sh` (add `--no-sign` for
ad-hoc signing; TCC permissions do not stick with `--no-sign`).
<Note>
Ad-hoc signed apps may trigger security prompts. If the app crashes
immediately with "Abort trap 6", see [Troubleshooting](#troubleshooting).
</Note>
## 3. Install the CLI and Gateway
The packaged app embeds the canonical `scripts/install-cli.sh` installer. On a
fresh profile, choose **This Mac** during onboarding; the app installs the
matching user-space CLI and runtime before starting the Gateway wizard.
For manual development recovery, install the matching CLI yourself:
```bash
npm install -g openclaw@<version>
```
`pnpm add -g openclaw@<version>` and `bun add -g openclaw@<version>` also
work. Node remains the recommended runtime for the Gateway itself.
## Troubleshooting
### Build fails: toolchain or SDK mismatch
The macOS app build expects the latest macOS SDK and the Swift 6.2 toolchain
(Xcode 26.2+).
```bash
xcodebuild -version
xcrun swift --version
```
If versions don't match, update macOS/Xcode and re-run the build.
### App crashes on permission grant
If the app crashes when you try to allow **Speech Recognition** or
**Microphone** access, it may be a corrupted TCC cache or signature mismatch.
1. Reset TCC permissions for the debug bundle id:
```bash
tccutil reset All ai.openclaw.mac.debug
```
2. If that fails, temporarily change `BUNDLE_ID` in
[`scripts/package-mac-app.sh`](https://github.com/openclaw/openclaw/blob/main/scripts/package-mac-app.sh)
to force a clean slate from macOS.
### Gateway "Starting..." indefinitely
Check whether a zombie process holds the port:
```bash
openclaw gateway status
openclaw gateway stop
# If you're not using a LaunchAgent (dev mode / manual runs), find the listener:
lsof -nP -iTCP:18789 -sTCP:LISTEN
```
If a manual run holds the port, stop it (Ctrl+C), or kill the PID found above
as a last resort.
## Related
- [macOS app](/platforms/macos)
- [Install overview](/install)