Getting Started

Clawdbot Setup Guide

Get your personal AI OS up and running in minutes. This comprehensive guide covers installation, configuration, and optimization for Mac mini.

Using Mac mini M4?

For the best experience with hardware-specific optimizations, check out our dedicated Mac mini M4 guide.

Why Mac mini M4 is Perfect for Clawdbot

The Mac mini with M4 chip offers the ideal balance of performance, efficiency, and value for running a personal AI OS.

Built for AI

Neural Engine

Apple's dedicated AI hardware delivers 38 TOPS for machine learning tasks.

Unified Memory

16-64GB of unified memory allows AI models to run entirely in-memory.

Power Efficient

Just 10W in standby mode - perfect for 24/7 operation without high energy bills.

Cool & Quiet

Fanless design means silent operation - ideal for always-on home automation.

Mac mini M4 Specifications at a Glance

ProcessorApple M4 (10-core CPU, 10-core GPU)

Neural Engine16-core, up to 38 TOPS

Memory16GB, 24GB, or 32GB unified memory

Storage256GB, 512GB, 1TB, or 2TB SSD

Networking10Gb Ethernet, Wi-Fi 6E

Power10W standby, up to 60W active

View Mac mini M4 M4 Setup Guide

Pre-flight Checklist

Before you begin, ensure your system meets these requirements for optimal performance.

Hardware

Compatible Mac mini models

Mac mini with Apple M4/M4 Pro (recommended)
Mac mini with M2/M2 Pro
Mac mini with M1/M1 Pro
Intel Mac mini (2018 or later)
Limited AI performance

Software

System requirements

macOS Sequoia 15.0 or later
8GB RAM minimum (16GB+ recommended)
256GB storage (512GB+ recommended)
Stable internet connection
Admin access for installation

Network

Connectivity options

Ethernet connection (preferred)
Wi-Fi 5GHz or faster
Router with port forwarding capability

Installation Steps

Follow these 5 steps to get Clawdbot up and running on your Mac.

Install Homebrew

Set up the package manager for macOS

Terminal

bash

# Install Homebrew (if not already installed)
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

# Verify installation
brew --version

Pro Tip

If you already have Homebrew installed, run `brew update` to ensure you have the latest version.

Important

Homebrew installation requires admin privileges. You'll be prompted for your password.

Install Clawdbot

Use Homebrew to install the latest version

Terminal

bash

# Add Clawdbot tap
brew tap clawdbot/tap

# Install Clawdbot
brew install clawdbot

# Verify installation
clawdbot --version

Pro Tip

For the latest beta features, use `brew install clawdbot --HEAD` instead.

Important

If you see permissions errors, run `sudo chown -R $(whoami) /usr/local/lib/pkgconfig`

Initialize Configuration

Run the interactive setup wizard

Terminal

bash

# Start configuration wizard
clawdbot init

# The wizard will guide you through:
# - Network configuration
# - API key setup
# - Service preferences
# - User account creation

Pro Tip

Have your API keys ready (OpenAI, Anthropic, etc.) for a smooth setup process.

Important

Write down your admin credentials - there's no password recovery feature yet!

Start the Service

Launch Clawdbot and configure it to run on startup

Terminal

bash

# Start Clawdbot service
clawdbot service start

# Enable auto-start on boot
clawdbot service enable

# Check service status
clawdbot service status

Pro Tip

Enable auto-start to ensure Clawdbot is always available after power cycles or updates.

Important

If port 3000 is already in use, Clawdbot will automatically try the next available port.

Verify Installation

Confirm everything is working correctly

Terminal

bash

# Test basic functionality
clawdbot test

# View dashboard (default port 3000)
open http://localhost:3000

# View logs
clawdbot logs --follow

Pro Tip

Bookmark the dashboard URL for quick access. Consider setting up port forwarding for remote access.

Important

If the dashboard doesn't load, check `clawdbot logs` for error messages.

Installation Complete!

Clawdbot is now installed on your Mac mini. The web dashboard is available at http://localhost:3000.

What's Next?

Congratulations! Your personal AI OS is running. Here are recommended next steps to get the most out of Clawdbot.

Browse Skills Library Configure Settings M4 Optimization Guide Get Help

Need Help?

If you encounter any issues during installation, check our troubleshooting guides or ask the community.

View Troubleshooting Guide GitHub Issues