About This Guide: This is a dedicated guide for setting up OpenClaw specifically on the Mac mini M4 as a 24/7 always-on AI agent server. Unlike laptop guides, this focuses on server-mode operation: no display required, remote SSH access, wake-on-LAN, energy optimization at ~15W, and Tailscale remote access from anywhere. The Mac mini M4 has become the go-to device for OpenClaw enthusiasts worldwide.
The Mac mini M4 has become something of a cult item in the OpenClaw community. Since OpenClaw surpassed 100,000 GitHub stars in January 2026, one trend has dominated tech Twitter: people buying Mac mini M4s specifically to run OpenClaw 24/7 as their personal AI assistant. The phrase "nerdy crab chilling in my attic on my mac studio just giving me shit" perfectly captures the spirit — and it's not hyperbole.
Why Mac mini M4? Three words: power, efficiency, silence. The M4 chip delivers performance comparable to workstation-class machines from just a few years ago, while the entire Mac mini consumes only 10–30W. It sits silently on your desk (or in a closet), never overheats, and costs roughly $15/year in electricity to run 24/7. That's your personal AI data center — at a fraction of the noise, cost, and complexity of any alternative.
Which Mac mini M4 Should You Get?
Mac mini M4 — Base Model ($599)
Good- • 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, 16GB unified memory
- • Perfect for cloud API routing (Claude, OpenAI, Gemini)
- • Handles 5–10 concurrent tool executions smoothly
- • Best choice for OpenClaw beginners
Mac mini M4 Pro — 24GB ($1,399)
Recommended- • 14-core CPU, 20-core GPU, 24GB unified memory
- • Runs local LLMs (14B+ models) + cloud API agents simultaneously
- • Handles 20+ concurrent tool executions
- • Ideal for power users and small teams
Mac mini M4 Pro — 64GB ($2,000+)
Professional- • 14-core CPU, 20-core GPU, 64GB unified memory
- • Runs 30-32B parameter models at 10-15 tokens/second
- • Multiple concurrent OpenClaw agents
- • For developers and businesses replacing virtual assistants
Energy Cost Comparison (24/7 Operation)
Step 1: Initial Mac mini M4 Server Setup
Before installing OpenClaw, configure your Mac mini M4 for headless server operation:
Disable Sleep Mode
# Prevent Mac mini from sleeping (must stay awake 24/7)
sudo pmset -a sleep 0
sudo pmset -a disksleep 0
sudo pmset -a displaysleep 10 # Screen can sleep, Mac stays on
sudo pmset -a powernap 1 # Enable wake for network access
# Verify settings
pmset -g
Enable Remote Login (SSH)
Go to System Settings → General → Sharing and enable:
- ✅ Remote Login — SSH access to your Mac mini
- ✅ Screen Sharing — VNC access when needed
- ✅ Wake for Network Access — Wake-on-LAN support
# Or enable SSH via command line
sudo systemsetup -setremotelogin on
# Find your Mac mini's local IP
ipconfig getifaddr en0
Auto-Login Setup
For the Mac mini to start OpenClaw after a power outage without you needing to log in manually:
Go to System Settings → Users & Groups → Automatic Login → select your user account → enter password.
Enable FileVault encryption for security if you enable auto-login — it protects your data while allowing automatic boot.
Step 2: Install OpenClaw on Mac mini M4
SSH into your Mac mini or open Terminal directly, then install:
# Install Homebrew
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"
# Add Homebrew to PATH (Apple Silicon)
eval "$(/opt/homebrew/bin/brew shellenv)"
echo 'eval "$(/opt/homebrew/bin/brew shellenv)"' >> ~/.zprofile
# Install nvm and Node.js 22
brew install nvm
mkdir ~/.nvm
echo 'export NVM_DIR="$HOME/.nvm"' >> ~/.zshrc
echo '[ -s "/opt/homebrew/opt/nvm/nvm.sh" ] && \. "/opt/homebrew/opt/nvm/nvm.sh"' >> ~/.zshrc
source ~/.zshrc
nvm install 22 && nvm use 22 && nvm alias default 22
# Install OpenClaw
curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash
# Initialize server-optimized agent
openclaw init homeserver --install-daemon
Server-Optimized Configuration
For Mac mini as a server, use these recommended settings during onboarding:
Step 3: Configure 24/7 Auto-Start
Create a Launch Agent that ensures OpenClaw restarts automatically after reboots, crashes, or power outages:
cat > ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ai.openclaw.homeserver.plist <<'EOF'
<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
<!DOCTYPE plist PUBLIC "-//Apple//DTD PLIST 1.0//EN"
"http://www.apple.com/DTDs/PropertyList-1.0.dtd">
<plist version="1.0">
<dict>
<key>Label</key><string>ai.openclaw.homeserver</string>
<key>ProgramArguments</key>
<array>
<string>/bin/bash</string>
<string>-l</string>
<string>-c</string>
<string>cd ~/homeserver && openclaw gateway start</string>
</array>
<key>RunAtLoad</key><true/>
<key>KeepAlive</key><true/>
<key>StandardOutPath</key>
<string>/tmp/openclaw-homeserver.log</string>
<key>StandardErrorPath</key>
<string>/tmp/openclaw-homeserver-error.log</string>
</dict>
</plist>
EOF
launchctl load ~/Library/LaunchAgents/ai.openclaw.homeserver.plist
KeepAlive: true means macOS automatically restarts OpenClaw if it crashes. The -l flag loads your full shell environment including nvm/Node.js PATH.
Step 4: Remote Access from Anywhere
One of the biggest advantages of Mac mini as an OpenClaw server is accessing it remotely. Two approaches:
Tailscale (Recommended)
Tailscale creates a secure VPN mesh between your devices — access your Mac mini from anywhere:
brew install tailscale
sudo tailscale up
# Now SSH from anywhere:
ssh [email protected]
Direct SSH + Port Forward
Forward port 22 on your router to Mac mini's IP, then SSH from outside:
# SSH from anywhere
ssh -p 2222 user@your-public-ip
# Port forward 2222→22 on router
Control from Your Phone
Once OpenClaw is running 24/7 on your Mac mini, you control it entirely from your phone via Telegram, WhatsApp, or iMessage. While at the gym, commuting, or on vacation — your Mac mini is working for you. It's managing emails, running code, fetching data, all from a device that costs less to run than a light bulb.
Mac mini M4 OpenClaw Performance
Monitoring Your Mac mini Server
# Check OpenClaw status remotely (via SSH)
openclaw gateway status
openclaw logs --tail 50
# Check Mac mini system health
sudo powermetrics --samplers cpu_power -n 1
vm_stat | grep "Pages active"
# Monitor in real-time
openclaw dashboard # Opens browser dashboard
Network Stability: The Missing Piece
Your Mac mini M4 is perfect hardware, but OpenClaw running 24/7 means 24/7 network activity. API calls to Claude or OpenAI happen every few minutes. Webhooks fire at all hours. ISP throttling or routing instability can cause your agent to fail at critical moments — like when you need it most.
VPN07 — The Perfect Mac mini Server Companion
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Give Your Mac mini Server VPN07
Mac mini M4 + OpenClaw + VPN07 = the ultimate 24/7 personal AI setup. While your Mac mini handles the processing, VPN07 handles the network — 1000Mbps dedicated bandwidth, 70+ server locations, 10 years of proven reliability. Just $1.5/month with 30-day money-back guarantee. Install once, run forever.