OpenClaw on Mac Mini: The Best Always-On Home Server Setup (2026)

Why the Mac Mini Is the Best OpenClaw Host

Among all the options for self-hosting OpenClaw, the Mac Mini has become the clear community favorite. The combination of Apple Silicon performance, extremely low idle power draw, and macOS reliability makes it uniquely suited for always-on personal AI agent hosting.

Here is what makes the Mac Mini stand out:

• Idle power draw of 5 to 7 watts, roughly $1 to $2 per month in electricity at typical US or European rates
• Silent operation: M-series Mac Minis have no fan noise at all at low load
• Apple Silicon unified memory: the GPU and CPU share the same high-bandwidth memory pool, making it significantly faster than discrete GPU hardware for local LLM inference
• macOS launchd integrates natively with OpenClaw's --install-daemon flag, providing automatic startup on boot, after crashes, and after power outages
• Compact form factor: fits on any desk, shelf, or cabinet without taking meaningful space

Choosing the Right Mac Mini Model

Not all Mac Minis perform equally for OpenClaw. The right choice depends on whether you plan to use cloud APIs or run local AI models:

For most users who plan to use Claude or OpenAI via API, the M4 with 16 GB is the best value in 2026. If you want to eliminate API costs entirely by running local models, aim for at least 32 GB of unified memory.

Step-by-Step Setup on Mac Mini

Step 1: Install OpenClaw

Install Node.js 22 or higher, then run:

npm install -g openclaw@latest openclaw onboard --install-daemon

The --install-daemon flag installs OpenClaw as a macOS launchd daemon. This means the gateway starts automatically when the Mac Mini boots, even before a user logs in, and restarts automatically if the process crashes. You set this up once and never think about it again.

For the full installation walkthrough, see the complete install guide.

Step 2: Enable SSH for Headless Access

You do not need a monitor connected to the Mac Mini once it is running. Enable SSH in System Settings:

System Settings > General > Sharing > Remote Login: On

From any other machine on your network, you can now SSH in:

ssh username@mac-mini-local-ip

To find the Mac Mini's local IP address: ipconfig getifaddr en0.

Step 3: Enable Automatic Login

For the daemon to run at full capability after a reboot or power outage, enable automatic login:

System Settings > Lock Screen > Log in automatically: [your user account]

Without this, the daemon will start but some macOS-level integrations may not be fully available until a user logs in manually.

Step 4: Configure Power Settings

Configure macOS to keep the Mac Mini running without sleeping:

System Settings > Battery > Options:

• "Prevent automatic sleeping when the display is off": On

Also enable automatic restart after a power failure. This option is in:

System Settings > Energy > Restart automatically after a power failure: On

With these settings, the Mac Mini recovers from power outages and restarts the OpenClaw daemon without any manual intervention.

Step 5: Access the Control UI from Any Device

Access the OpenClaw Control UI from your laptop, phone, or any device on your local network:

http://[mac-mini-local-ip]:18789/

You do not need to be sitting at the Mac Mini to manage the agent, review memory, install skills, or check logs.

Running Local AI Models with Ollama

The Mac Mini's biggest advantage over a VPS or Raspberry Pi is the ability to run powerful local LLMs efficiently. Install Ollama to run open-source models with zero per-token cost:

brew install ollama ollama pull llama3.3 ollama serve

Then configure OpenClaw to use it in ~/.openclaw/openclaw.json:

{ "agent": { "model": "ollama/llama3.3" } }

With a 32 GB M4 Mac Mini, models like Llama 3.3 70B (quantized) run at comfortable speeds for conversational use. With 16 GB, smaller models like Llama 3.3 8B and Mistral 7B run very quickly.

Remote Access from Anywhere with Tailscale

To reach your OpenClaw instance from outside your home network without opening any firewall ports, use Tailscale (free for personal use):

brew install tailscale tailscale up

Install Tailscale on both the Mac Mini and your phone or laptop. They join the same private encrypted mesh network, and you can access the OpenClaw Control UI at the Mac Mini's Tailscale IP address from anywhere in the world.

Monthly Cost Estimate

After the one-time hardware purchase, running OpenClaw on a Mac Mini with local models costs essentially nothing per month.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use a Raspberry Pi instead of a Mac Mini?

Yes. OpenClaw runs on Raspberry Pi 5. The limitation is that Pi hardware cannot run local LLMs of meaningful quality. For cloud-API-only setups, a Pi 5 with 8 GB works fine and costs less. For local model inference, the Mac Mini's Apple Silicon unified memory is far superior.

Does the Mac Mini need to stay connected to a monitor?

No. After enabling SSH in Step 2, the Mac Mini runs fully headless. You interact with it entirely via SSH or the web-based Control UI.

Will OpenClaw restart automatically after a power outage?

Yes, if you followed Steps 2 and 4 above. The launchd daemon starts on boot, and the "restart after power failure" macOS setting brings the machine back up automatically.

What is the best local model for an M4 Mac Mini with 16 GB?

Llama 3.3 8B and Mistral 7B run at full speed on 16 GB unified memory and handle most everyday tasks well. For 32 GB, Llama 3.3 70B quantized is the community recommendation for the best balance of capability and speed on Apple Silicon.

Can I run other services alongside OpenClaw on the Mac Mini?

Yes. The Mac Mini handles OpenClaw's lightweight daemon easily alongside other apps or services. Many users run Ollama, a local database, or other automation tools on the same machine without performance issues at normal load levels.