macOS · Ventura and later

Install CARAPACE on Mac.
Three minutes. No terminal.

A guided wizard installs OpenClaw, connects Tailscale, and pairs your phone. The only things you have to do: sign in, approve Tailscale, scan a QR.

1

Download & open

Drag Carapace to your Applications folder, then open it.

Download for
macOS — v1.9.3
2

Approve it once in System Settings

The app isn't yet notarized by Apple, so macOS Gatekeeper blocks it on first launch. Takes 20 seconds to clear.

When you see the "cannot be verified" dialog:

  1. Click Done on the dialog.
  2. Open System Settings → Privacy & Security.
  3. Scroll down. You'll see "Carapace was blocked to protect your Mac."
  4. Click Open Anyway, authenticate with your Mac password.
  5. Re-open Carapace — it launches normally from here on.
Why this happens: Apple requires developers to submit apps for automated malware scanning ("notarization"). That's on the roadmap. Until then, the app is signed with a developer certificate but not notarized, so Gatekeeper asks for your one-time approval. Standard for open / indie Mac software.
3

Sign in

Email + password. Your account is what ties your Mac, your phone, and your VPS together.

CARAPACE
Sign-in screen
Screenshot coming soon
4

Connect Tailscale

The wizard opens your browser, you approve, it comes back. That's it.

CARAPACE — Setup
Tailscale auth step
Screenshot coming soon

No Tailscale account? The wizard will walk you through creating one — free for personal use up to 100 devices.

5

Gemini key for Vision Optional

Skip this if you picked Gemini as your chat provider — same key covers Vision.

CARAPACE — Vision
Gemini key paste (optional)
Screenshot coming soon

Vision hits Gemini Flash first because it's fast and cheap. Grab a free key at aistudio.google.com/apikey — or skip and paste it later from the menu bar.

Welcome aboard.

Click the Carapace icon in your menu bar to open the dashboard. Pair your iPhone from Settings → Devices. Ask it something.

Set up iPhone → Back to home

Stuck?

Open an issue on GitHub.

Bug reports, feature requests, and PRs welcome.

Open an issue