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* fix(sqlite): require WAL-reset-safe Node runtime * docs(sqlite): document safe Node runtime floor * fix(sqlite): defer runtime library validation until use * fix(ci): align startup memory with Node 24.15
125 lines
4.2 KiB
Markdown
125 lines
4.2 KiB
Markdown
---
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summary: "Gateway runtime on macOS (external launchd service)"
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read_when:
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- Packaging OpenClaw.app
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- Debugging the macOS gateway launchd service
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- Installing the gateway CLI for macOS
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title: "Gateway on macOS"
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---
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OpenClaw.app does not bundle Node or the Gateway runtime. The macOS app
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expects an **external** `openclaw` CLI install, does not spawn the Gateway as
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a child process, and manages a per-user launchd service to keep the Gateway
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running (or attaches to an already-running local Gateway).
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## Automatic setup
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On a fresh Mac, choose **This Mac** during onboarding. The app runs its
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signed, bundled installer script before the Gateway wizard: it installs a
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user-space Node runtime and the matching `openclaw` CLI under `~/.openclaw`,
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then installs and starts the per-user launchd service. This path needs no
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Terminal, Homebrew, or administrator access.
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The app bundles the installer script only, not the Node or Gateway payload;
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setup needs an internet connection to download the runtime and matching
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OpenClaw package.
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## Manual recovery
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Node 24.15+ is recommended for a manual install; Node 22.22.3+ also works. Install
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`openclaw` globally:
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```bash
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npm install -g openclaw@<version>
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```
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Use **Retry setup** after a failed automatic setup. If that still fails,
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install the CLI manually with the command above, then choose **Check again**
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in onboarding.
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## Launchd (Gateway as LaunchAgent)
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Label: `ai.openclaw.gateway` (default profile), or `ai.openclaw.<profile>`
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for a named profile.
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Plist location (per-user): `~/Library/LaunchAgents/ai.openclaw.gateway.plist`
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(or `ai.openclaw.<profile>.plist`).
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The macOS app owns LaunchAgent install/update for the default profile in
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Local mode. The CLI can also install it directly: `openclaw gateway install`
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(named profiles are selected via the `OPENCLAW_PROFILE` env var).
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Behavior:
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- "OpenClaw Active" enables/disables the LaunchAgent.
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- Quitting the app does **not** stop the Gateway (launchd keeps it alive).
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- If a Gateway is already running on the configured port, the app attaches to
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it instead of starting a new one.
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Logging:
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- launchd stdout: `~/Library/Logs/openclaw/gateway.log` (profiles use
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`gateway-<profile>.log`)
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- launchd stderr: suppressed
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- If the host loops with repeated `EADDRINUSE` or fast restarts, check for
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duplicate `ai.openclaw.gateway` / `ai.openclaw.node` LaunchAgents and the
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launchd-marker workaround in
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[Gateway troubleshooting](/gateway/troubleshooting#macos-launchd-supervisor-loop-with-duplicate-gatewaynode-launchagents).
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## Version compatibility
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The macOS app checks the Gateway version against its own version. Onboarding
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automatically runs managed setup when an existing CLI is missing or
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incompatible. Use **Retry setup** to repeat installation, or **Check again**
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after repairing an external CLI.
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## State directory on macOS
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Keep OpenClaw state on a local, non-synced disk. Avoid iCloud Drive and other
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cloud-synced folders; sync latency and file locks can affect sessions,
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credentials, and Gateway state.
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Set `OPENCLAW_STATE_DIR` to a local path only when you need an override.
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`openclaw doctor` warns about common cloud-synced state paths and recommends
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moving back to local storage. See
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[environment variables](/help/environment#path-related-env-vars) and
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[Doctor](/gateway/doctor).
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## Debug app connectivity
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Use the macOS debug CLI from a source checkout to exercise the same Gateway
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WebSocket handshake and discovery logic the app uses:
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```bash
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cd apps/macos
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swift run openclaw-mac connect --json
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swift run openclaw-mac discover --timeout 3000 --json
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```
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`connect` accepts `--url`, `--token`, `--timeout`, `--probe`, and `--json`
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(plus client-identity overrides; run with `--help` for the full list).
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`discover` accepts `--timeout`, `--json`, and `--include-local`. Compare
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discovery output with `openclaw gateway discover --json` when you need to
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separate CLI discovery from app-side connection issues.
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## Smoke check
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```bash
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openclaw --version
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OPENCLAW_SKIP_CHANNELS=1 \
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OPENCLAW_SKIP_CANVAS_HOST=1 \
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openclaw gateway --port 18999 --bind loopback
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```
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Then:
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```bash
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openclaw gateway call health --url ws://127.0.0.1:18999 --timeout 3000
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```
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## Related
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- [macOS app](/platforms/macos)
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- [Gateway runbook](/gateway)
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