About This Guide: This guide is specifically about running OpenClaw on a MacBook Pro M4 or MacBook Air M4 in a portable, on-the-go context. Unlike Mac mini setups, a MacBook has unique considerations: battery life impact, sleep/wake behavior, WiFi switching between networks, and mobile hotspot usage. We cover all of it — plus how to keep your agent running when you're traveling, in coffee shops, or on flights.
The MacBook M4 is a powerhouse for OpenClaw. MacBook Pro M4 Max models have been described as "computer you can take on a plane that runs your AI agent while you sleep" — and that's not far off. The M4 chip's Neural Engine handles OpenClaw's tool execution with remarkable efficiency, and MacBook's all-day battery (reportedly 20+ hours of mixed use) means your agent can run for extended periods without a power outlet.
But running OpenClaw on a laptop requires different thinking than a desktop server. Your MacBook sleeps when you close the lid. It switches WiFi networks. Battery drain matters. This guide addresses each of these challenges with practical solutions, so you can have a fully functional personal AI agent wherever you go — whether that's a co-working space, an airport lounge, or a client's office.
MacBook vs Mac mini for OpenClaw
MacBook M4 — Portable Power
- ✅ Take your agent anywhere
- ✅ 20+ hour battery life
- ✅ No extra display/keyboard needed
- ✅ Hotspot sharing with iPhone
- ⚠️ Pauses when lid is closed
- ⚠️ Battery drain from 24/7 use
Mac mini M4 — Always-On Server
- ✅ True 24/7 operation
- ✅ Only $15/year electricity
- ✅ Never misses a message
- ✅ Can serve multiple users
- ⚠️ Stationary — not portable
- ⚠️ Extra purchase required
Pro Setup: Many OpenClaw power users run both — a Mac mini M4 at home for 24/7 server tasks, and a MacBook M4 for on-the-go access with a local agent instance that syncs memory with the home server.
Step 1: Install OpenClaw on MacBook M4
The installation process on MacBook is identical to Mac mini. Open Terminal and run:
# Install Homebrew (Apple Silicon path)
/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"
eval "$(/opt/homebrew/bin/brew shellenv)"
echo 'eval "$(/opt/homebrew/bin/brew shellenv)"' >> ~/.zprofile
# Install nvm + Node.js 22
brew install 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 alias default 22
# Install OpenClaw
curl -fsSL https://openclaw.ai/install.sh | bash
openclaw init portable-agent
cd portable-agent
openclaw onboard
MacBook-Optimized Onboarding Settings
Step 2: Battery Optimization for MacBook
OpenClaw running in the background on a MacBook has minimal CPU impact when idle, but it does maintain network connections and listens for messages. Here's how to minimize battery drain:
Battery Impact
- • OpenClaw idle: ~1-2% battery/hour
- • Active task execution: ~3-5% battery/hour
- • Background cron jobs: minimal impact
- • Net result: ~18-20 hours on MacBook M4 Air
Battery-Saving Settings
# Optimize gateway for low power
openclaw config set heartbeat-interval 60
openclaw config set idle-timeout 300
# Use energy-efficient model
openclaw config set model claude-haiku-3-5
Power Nap for Network Activity
Enable Power Nap so your MacBook can respond to messages even when the screen is off:
# Enable Power Nap
sudo pmset -a powernap 1
# Disable display sleep while on AC power
sudo pmset -c displaysleep 30
Step 3: Handle Sleep & Wake Gracefully
When you close your MacBook lid, OpenClaw pauses. When it wakes, OpenClaw resumes — but messages sent while asleep may be missed. Use this approach to handle sleep/wake properly:
# Create a sleep/wake handler script
cat > ~/openclaw-wake-handler.sh <<'EOF'
#!/bin/bash
# This runs on every wake from sleep
sleep 5 # Wait for network to reconnect
cd ~/portable-agent
openclaw gateway status || openclaw gateway start
openclaw sync-messages # Fetch missed messages
EOF
chmod +x ~/openclaw-wake-handler.sh
# Add to Login Items (GUI: System Settings → General → Login Items)
# Or use sleepwatcher tool via Homebrew:
brew install sleepwatcher
cp ~/openclaw-wake-handler.sh ~/.wakeup
Prevent Sleep with Caffeinate
When you need OpenClaw to stay active during an important task (e.g., a long automation workflow), use caffeinate to temporarily prevent sleep:
# Prevent sleep for 2 hours
caffeinate -t 7200 &
# Or: prevent sleep while a specific process runs
caffeinate -w $(pgrep -f "openclaw gateway") &
Step 4: Seamless Network Switching
When your MacBook switches from home WiFi to a coffee shop network, OpenClaw's gateway connection briefly drops. Configure automatic reconnection:
Auto-Reconnect Configuration
# Configure OpenClaw for mobile use
openclaw config set reconnect-interval 10
openclaw config set max-reconnect-attempts unlimited
openclaw config set network-timeout 30
# Enable auto-gateway restart on network change
openclaw config set auto-restart-on-disconnect true
iPhone Hotspot Integration
Your MacBook can share your iPhone's cellular connection via Instant Hotspot — no passwords needed when both are signed into the same Apple ID. OpenClaw works perfectly over LTE/5G hotspot:
- ✅ Click WiFi menu → select iPhone's hotspot
- ✅ OpenClaw continues without any configuration
- ✅ VPN07 routes API calls efficiently even over LTE
Public WiFi Security
When running OpenClaw on public WiFi (airports, cafes, hotels), your agent's API calls to Anthropic and OpenAI are visible to network operators. Always run VPN07 on public networks — it encrypts all OpenClaw traffic end-to-end, protecting your API keys and conversation data from eavesdropping.
Step 5: Control from Your iPhone
The best thing about OpenClaw on MacBook: once configured, you control it entirely from your iPhone. Your MacBook sits in your bag while you talk to your AI agent via iMessage or Telegram:
iMessage (macOS Exclusive)
Text your MacBook's Apple ID from your iPhone. OpenClaw responds as if it's a contact. Works even when MacBook is in your bag — as long as it's awake.
openclaw config set messaging imessage
openclaw gateway restart
Telegram (Cross-Platform)
Works from any device, any network. Create a Telegram bot, connect it to OpenClaw, and message it from your iPhone, Android, or any Telegram client.
openclaw config set messaging telegram
openclaw config set telegram-token <token>
Real MacBook + OpenClaw Use Cases
VPN07: Essential for MacBook OpenClaw Users
MacBook users face unique network challenges: public WiFi, LTE hotspots, corporate networks with firewalls, hotel captive portals. VPN07 solves all of them:
VPN07 — Perfect for Mobile OpenClaw
MacBook-Specific Troubleshooting
OpenClaw stops responding after closing lid
Fix: Enable Prevent computer from sleeping automatically when the display is off in System Settings → Battery → Options, or use a lid-closed power adapter setup.
sudo pmset -b sleep 0 # Disable sleep on battery
sudo pmset -c sleep 0 # Disable sleep on AC power
Gateway fails after switching WiFi networks
openclaw gateway restart
# Or set auto-restart:
openclaw config set auto-restart-on-disconnect true
OpenClaw draining battery too fast
Switch to a lighter AI model during battery use:
openclaw config set model claude-haiku-3-5 # Faster, lighter
openclaw config set heartbeat-interval 120 # Less frequent checks
Take VPN07 Everywhere with Your MacBook
Your MacBook M4 + OpenClaw is an unstoppable portable AI powerhouse — but only with a reliable network. VPN07's 1000Mbps service protects your agent on every public WiFi, cuts through corporate firewalls, and keeps API calls fast from any country. The VPN07 macOS app reconnects automatically when your network switches. Just $1.5/month with 30-day money-back guarantee.