Installation and configuration of OpenClaw on macOS

This article is intended for developers deploying OpenClaw-related components on a local Mac or MacCloud cloud instance. The following steps aim at "minimum runnability". For actual commands, please refer to the OpenClaw release notes you are using.

1. Environment preparation

It is recommended to use the latest stable version of macOS and ensure that the Xcode Command Line Tools are installed (xcode-select --install). If running on Apple Silicon, please confirm that the binary is arm64 or consistent with the Rosetta policy.

2. Install CLI and path

Add the official executable file or package manager installation path~/.zshrcor~/.bash_profile. Avoid using global directories that require administrator privileges unless you are responsible for your own security perimeter on a dedicated physical machine.

3. Privacy and Automation Permissions

If OpenClaw needs to control other applications or access files, please grant permissions such as "Full Disk Access" and "Automation" in "System Settings → Privacy and Security". In headless or SSH scenarios, it is recommended to use launchd to manage the resident process and specify the working directory.

4. Joint debugging with MacCloud instance

When repeating the above steps on a cloud Mac, verify the SSH user and data disk mount point through the console; do not submit the key to the repository. For more practices, see "Practice of Running OpenClaw on MacCloud".