OpenClaw on a Mac Mini: Complete Setup Guide 2026

The Mac Mini is one of the best machines for running OpenClaw. It’s quiet, power-efficient, runs macOS natively, and has enough power to run local AI models alongside OpenClaw if you want. Here’s the complete setup from scratch.

What You’ll Need

• Mac Mini (M2 or M4 recommended — check current price)
• macOS 13 Ventura or later
• A messaging channel (Telegram bot is easiest)
• About 30 minutes

Step 1: Install Homebrew

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"

Step 2: Install Node.js

brew install node

Step 3: Install OpenClaw

npm install -g openclaw

Step 4: Run Setup

openclaw setup

Follow the prompts to connect your Telegram bot (or other channel) and configure your AI provider.

Step 5: Start OpenClaw

openclaw start

Step 6: Run as a Background Service

To keep OpenClaw running 24/7 and restart automatically after reboots:

openclaw service install
openclaw service start

Power Settings

Go to System Settings > Energy > and disable “Put hard disks to sleep when possible” and set the Mac to never sleep. This ensures OpenClaw stays responsive at all times. The Mac Mini uses about 15W at idle — roughly $1-2/month in electricity.

Remote Access

Enable Screen Sharing (System Settings > General > Sharing) so you can access your Mac Mini remotely if needed. For secure remote access from outside your home network, Tailscale is the cleanest solution.