{
  "title": "OpenClaw on macOS VMs (Sandboxing)",
  "content": "## Recommended default (most users)\n\n* **Small Linux VPS** for an always-on Gateway and low cost. See [VPS hosting](/vps).\n* **Dedicated hardware** (Mac mini or Linux box) if you want full control and a **residential IP** for browser automation. Many sites block data center IPs, so local browsing often works better.\n* **Hybrid:** keep the Gateway on a cheap VPS, and connect your Mac as a **node** when you need browser/UI automation. See [Nodes](/nodes) and [Gateway remote](/gateway/remote).\n\nUse a macOS VM when you specifically need macOS-only capabilities (iMessage/BlueBubbles) or want strict isolation from your daily Mac.\n\n### Local VM on your Apple Silicon Mac (Lume)\n\nRun OpenClaw in a sandboxed macOS VM on your existing Apple Silicon Mac using [Lume](https://cua.ai/docs/lume).\n\n* Full macOS environment in isolation (your host stays clean)\n* iMessage support via BlueBubbles (impossible on Linux/Windows)\n* Instant reset by cloning VMs\n* No extra hardware or cloud costs\n\n### Hosted Mac providers (cloud)\n\nIf you want macOS in the cloud, hosted Mac providers work too:\n\n* [MacStadium](https://www.macstadium.com/) (hosted Macs)\n* Other hosted Mac vendors also work; follow their VM + SSH docs\n\nOnce you have SSH access to a macOS VM, continue at step 6 below.\n\n## Quick path (Lume, experienced users)\n\n1. Install Lume\n2. `lume create openclaw --os macos --ipsw latest`\n3. Complete Setup Assistant, enable Remote Login (SSH)\n4. `lume run openclaw --no-display`\n5. SSH in, install OpenClaw, configure channels\n6. Done\n\n## What you need (Lume)\n\n* Apple Silicon Mac (M1/M2/M3/M4)\n* macOS Sequoia or later on the host\n* \\~60 GB free disk space per VM\n* \\~20 minutes\n\nIf `~/.local/bin` isn't in your PATH:\n\nDocs: [Lume Installation](https://cua.ai/docs/lume/guide/getting-started/installation)\n\n## 2) Create the macOS VM\n\nThis downloads macOS and creates the VM. A VNC window opens automatically.\n\nNote: The download can take a while depending on your connection.\n\n## 3) Complete Setup Assistant\n\n1. Select language and region\n2. Skip Apple ID (or sign in if you want iMessage later)\n3. Create a user account (remember the username and password)\n4. Skip all optional features\n\nAfter setup completes, enable SSH:\n\n1. Open System Settings → General → Sharing\n2. Enable \"Remote Login\"\n\n## 4) Get the VM's IP address\n\nLook for the IP address (usually `192.168.64.x`).\n\n## 5) SSH into the VM\n\nReplace `youruser` with the account you created, and the IP with your VM's IP.\n\n## 6) Install OpenClaw\n\nFollow the onboarding prompts to set up your model provider (Anthropic, OpenAI, etc.).\n\n## 7) Configure channels\n\nEdit the config file:\n\nThen login to WhatsApp (scan QR):\n\n## 8) Run the VM headlessly\n\nStop the VM and restart without display:\n\nThe VM runs in the background. OpenClaw's daemon keeps the gateway running.\n\n## Bonus: iMessage integration\n\nThis is the killer feature of running on macOS. Use [BlueBubbles](https://bluebubbles.app) to add iMessage to OpenClaw.\n\n1. Download BlueBubbles from bluebubbles.app\n2. Sign in with your Apple ID\n3. Enable the Web API and set a password\n4. Point BlueBubbles webhooks at your gateway (example: `https://your-gateway-host:3000/bluebubbles-webhook?password=<password>`)\n\nAdd to your OpenClaw config:\n\nRestart the gateway. Now your agent can send and receive iMessages.\n\nFull setup details: [BlueBubbles channel](/channels/bluebubbles)\n\n## Save a golden image\n\nBefore customizing further, snapshot your clean state:\n\nKeep the VM running by:\n\n* Keeping your Mac plugged in\n* Disabling sleep in System Settings → Energy Saver\n* Using `caffeinate` if needed\n\nFor true always-on, consider a dedicated Mac mini or a small VPS. See [VPS hosting](/vps).\n\n| Problem                  | Solution                                                                           |\n| ------------------------ | ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| Can't SSH into VM        | Check \"Remote Login\" is enabled in VM's System Settings                            |\n| VM IP not showing        | Wait for VM to fully boot, run `lume get openclaw` again                           |\n| Lume command not found   | Add `~/.local/bin` to your PATH                                                    |\n| WhatsApp QR not scanning | Ensure you're logged into the VM (not host) when running `openclaw channels login` |\n\n* [VPS hosting](/vps)\n* [Nodes](/nodes)\n* [Gateway remote](/gateway/remote)\n* [BlueBubbles channel](/channels/bluebubbles)\n* [Lume Quickstart](https://cua.ai/docs/lume/guide/getting-started/quickstart)\n* [Lume CLI Reference](https://cua.ai/docs/lume/reference/cli-reference)\n* [Unattended VM Setup](https://cua.ai/docs/lume/guide/fundamentals/unattended-setup) (advanced)\n* [Docker Sandboxing](/install/docker) (alternative isolation approach)",
  "code_samples": [
    {
      "code": "If `~/.local/bin` isn't in your PATH:",
      "language": "unknown"
    },
    {
      "code": "Verify:",
      "language": "unknown"
    },
    {
      "code": "Docs: [Lume Installation](https://cua.ai/docs/lume/guide/getting-started/installation)\n\n***\n\n## 2) Create the macOS VM",
      "language": "unknown"
    },
    {
      "code": "This downloads macOS and creates the VM. A VNC window opens automatically.\n\nNote: The download can take a while depending on your connection.\n\n***\n\n## 3) Complete Setup Assistant\n\nIn the VNC window:\n\n1. Select language and region\n2. Skip Apple ID (or sign in if you want iMessage later)\n3. Create a user account (remember the username and password)\n4. Skip all optional features\n\nAfter setup completes, enable SSH:\n\n1. Open System Settings → General → Sharing\n2. Enable \"Remote Login\"\n\n***\n\n## 4) Get the VM's IP address",
      "language": "unknown"
    },
    {
      "code": "Look for the IP address (usually `192.168.64.x`).\n\n***\n\n## 5) SSH into the VM",
      "language": "unknown"
    },
    {
      "code": "Replace `youruser` with the account you created, and the IP with your VM's IP.\n\n***\n\n## 6) Install OpenClaw\n\nInside the VM:",
      "language": "unknown"
    },
    {
      "code": "Follow the onboarding prompts to set up your model provider (Anthropic, OpenAI, etc.).\n\n***\n\n## 7) Configure channels\n\nEdit the config file:",
      "language": "unknown"
    },
    {
      "code": "Add your channels:",
      "language": "unknown"
    },
    {
      "code": "Then login to WhatsApp (scan QR):",
      "language": "unknown"
    },
    {
      "code": "***\n\n## 8) Run the VM headlessly\n\nStop the VM and restart without display:",
      "language": "unknown"
    },
    {
      "code": "The VM runs in the background. OpenClaw's daemon keeps the gateway running.\n\nTo check status:",
      "language": "unknown"
    },
    {
      "code": "***\n\n## Bonus: iMessage integration\n\nThis is the killer feature of running on macOS. Use [BlueBubbles](https://bluebubbles.app) to add iMessage to OpenClaw.\n\nInside the VM:\n\n1. Download BlueBubbles from bluebubbles.app\n2. Sign in with your Apple ID\n3. Enable the Web API and set a password\n4. Point BlueBubbles webhooks at your gateway (example: `https://your-gateway-host:3000/bluebubbles-webhook?password=<password>`)\n\nAdd to your OpenClaw config:",
      "language": "unknown"
    },
    {
      "code": "Restart the gateway. Now your agent can send and receive iMessages.\n\nFull setup details: [BlueBubbles channel](/channels/bluebubbles)\n\n***\n\n## Save a golden image\n\nBefore customizing further, snapshot your clean state:",
      "language": "unknown"
    },
    {
      "code": "Reset anytime:",
      "language": "unknown"
    }
  ],
  "headings": [
    {
      "level": "h2",
      "text": "Recommended default (most users)",
      "id": "recommended-default-(most-users)"
    },
    {
      "level": "h2",
      "text": "macOS VM options",
      "id": "macos-vm-options"
    },
    {
      "level": "h3",
      "text": "Local VM on your Apple Silicon Mac (Lume)",
      "id": "local-vm-on-your-apple-silicon-mac-(lume)"
    },
    {
      "level": "h3",
      "text": "Hosted Mac providers (cloud)",
      "id": "hosted-mac-providers-(cloud)"
    },
    {
      "level": "h2",
      "text": "Quick path (Lume, experienced users)",
      "id": "quick-path-(lume,-experienced-users)"
    },
    {
      "level": "h2",
      "text": "What you need (Lume)",
      "id": "what-you-need-(lume)"
    },
    {
      "level": "h2",
      "text": "1) Install Lume",
      "id": "1)-install-lume"
    },
    {
      "level": "h2",
      "text": "2) Create the macOS VM",
      "id": "2)-create-the-macos-vm"
    },
    {
      "level": "h2",
      "text": "3) Complete Setup Assistant",
      "id": "3)-complete-setup-assistant"
    },
    {
      "level": "h2",
      "text": "4) Get the VM's IP address",
      "id": "4)-get-the-vm's-ip-address"
    },
    {
      "level": "h2",
      "text": "5) SSH into the VM",
      "id": "5)-ssh-into-the-vm"
    },
    {
      "level": "h2",
      "text": "6) Install OpenClaw",
      "id": "6)-install-openclaw"
    },
    {
      "level": "h2",
      "text": "7) Configure channels",
      "id": "7)-configure-channels"
    },
    {
      "level": "h2",
      "text": "8) Run the VM headlessly",
      "id": "8)-run-the-vm-headlessly"
    },
    {
      "level": "h2",
      "text": "Bonus: iMessage integration",
      "id": "bonus:-imessage-integration"
    },
    {
      "level": "h2",
      "text": "Save a golden image",
      "id": "save-a-golden-image"
    },
    {
      "level": "h2",
      "text": "Running 24/7",
      "id": "running-24/7"
    },
    {
      "level": "h2",
      "text": "Troubleshooting",
      "id": "troubleshooting"
    },
    {
      "level": "h2",
      "text": "Related docs",
      "id": "related-docs"
    }
  ],
  "url": "llms-txt#openclaw-on-macos-vms-(sandboxing)",
  "links": []
}