---
name: clawdbot-macos-build-967645c6b05c
description: Build the Clawdbot macOS menu bar app from source. Use when you need to install the Clawdbot.app companion (for menu bar status, permissions, and Mac hardware access like camera/screen recording). Handles dependency installation, UI build, Swift compilation, code signing, and app packaging automatically.
---

# Clawdbot macOS App Build

The macOS companion app provides menu-bar status, native notifications, and access to Mac hardware (camera, screen recording, system commands). This skill builds it from source.

## Prerequisites

- macOS (10.14+)
- Xcode 15+ with Command Line Tools
- Node.js >= 22
- pnpm package manager
- 30+ GB free disk space (Swift build artifacts)
- Internet connection (large dependencies)

## Quick Build

```bash
# Clone repo
cd /tmp && rm -rf clawdbot-build && git clone https://github.com/clawdbot/clawdbot.git clawdbot-build

# Install + build
cd /tmp/clawdbot-build
pnpm install
pnpm ui:build

# Accept Xcode license (one-time)
sudo xcodebuild -license accept

# Build macOS app with ad-hoc signing
ALLOW_ADHOC_SIGNING=1 bash scripts/package-mac-app.sh

# Install to /Applications
cp -r dist/Clawdbot.app /Applications/Clawdbot.app

# Launch
open /Applications/Clawdbot.app
```

## Build Steps Explained

### 1. Clone Repository
Clones the latest Clawdbot source from GitHub. This includes the macOS app source in `apps/macos/`.

### 2. Install Dependencies (pnpm install)
Installs Node.js dependencies for the entire workspace (~1 minute). Warnings about missing binaries in some extensions are harmless.

### 3. Build UI (pnpm ui:build)
Compiles the Control UI (Vite → TypeScript/React). Output goes to `dist/control-ui/`. Takes ~30 seconds.

### 4. Accept Xcode License
Required once per Xcode update. If you get "license not agreed" errors during Swift build, run:
```bash
sudo xcodebuild -license accept
```

### 5. Package macOS App (scripts/package-mac-app.sh)
Runs the full Swift build pipeline:
- Fetches Swift package dependencies (SwiftUI libraries, etc.)
- Compiles the macOS app for your architecture (arm64 for M1+, x86_64 for Intel)
- Bundles resources (model catalog, localizations, etc.)
- Code-signs the app

**Signing options:**
- **Ad-hoc signing** (fastest): `ALLOW_ADHOC_SIGNING=1` — good for local testing, app won't notarize for distribution
- **Developer ID signing** (production): Set `SIGN_IDENTITY="Developer ID Application: <name>"` if you have a signing certificate

This step takes 10-20 minutes depending on your Mac.

### 6. Install to /Applications
Copies the built app to the system Applications folder so it runs like any other macOS app.

### 7. Launch
Opens the app. On first run, you'll see permission prompts (Notifications, Accessibility, Screen Recording, etc.) — approve them for full functionality.

## Troubleshooting

### "Invalid tools version"
Swift build requires 6.2+. Update Xcode:
```bash
softwareupdate -i -a
```

### "License not agreed"
```bash
sudo xcodebuild -license accept
```

### "No signing identity found"
Use ad-hoc signing for local builds:
```bash
ALLOW_ADHOC_SIGNING=1 bash scripts/package-mac-app.sh
```

### Swift compilation hangs or is very slow
- Ensure Xcode is fully updated: `xcode-select --install` or update via App Store
- Check disk space: `df -h` (need ~30GB free)
- Close other apps to free RAM

### App won't launch after build
Check that it's properly signed:
```bash
codesign -v /Applications/Clawdbot.app
```

If signing failed, rebuild with `ALLOW_ADHOC_SIGNING=1`.

## What the App Does

- **Menu bar status** — See Gateway health and receive notifications
- **Permission management** — Owns TTC prompts for Notifications, Accessibility, Screen Recording, Microphone, etc.
- **Local/Remote modes:**
  - **Local:** Gateway runs on your Mac; app manages launchd service
  - **Remote:** App connects to Gateway on another machine (VPS, home server) via SSH/Tailscale; keeps your Mac accessible even while sleeping
- **Mac hardware access:** Camera, screen recording, Canvas, voice wake-word
- **Deep linking:** Trigger agent requests via `clawdbot://` URL scheme

See the official docs: https://docs.clawd.bot/platforms/macos

## Building for Distribution

For production distribution, you'll need:
- Apple Developer ID certificate (paid)
- Notarization credentials
- See: https://docs.clawd.bot/platforms/mac/release

For personal use, ad-hoc signing is fine.

## Next Steps

After the app launches:
1. Complete the permission checklist (TCC prompts)
2. Choose **Local** or **Remote** mode
3. If Local: ensure the Gateway is running (`clawdbot gateway status`)
4. Open Clawdbot.app menu bar icon to configure

Then from the terminal, you can manage the Gateway:
```bash
clawdbot gateway status
clawdbot gateway restart
```


---
Source attribution: modbender
Original project: https://github.com/modbender/skill-library-mcp/blob/d9c8fe903b5b4e82237dbe8d0df8567783022e18/data/clawdbot-macos-build/SKILL.md
License: MIT
License information: https://opensource.org/license/mit
Original upstream instructions; downloaded from Mega AI Hub.

## Upstream license notice

MIT License

Copyright (c) 2025 skill-library-mcp contributors

Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person obtaining a copy
of this software and associated documentation files (the "Software"), to deal
in the Software without restriction, including without limitation the rights
to use, copy, modify, merge, publish, distribute, sublicense, and/or sell
copies of the Software, and to permit persons to whom the Software is
furnished to do so, subject to the following conditions:

The above copyright notice and this permission notice shall be included in all
copies or substantial portions of the Software.

THE SOFTWARE IS PROVIDED "AS IS", WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR
IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY,
FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE
AUTHORS OR COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER
LIABILITY, WHETHER IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM,
OUT OF OR IN CONNECTION WITH THE SOFTWARE OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE
SOFTWARE.



# Mega AI Hub resource metadata

Creator / publisher: modbender
Original project: https://github.com/modbender/skill-library-mcp/blob/d9c8fe903b5b4e82237dbe8d0df8567783022e18/data/clawdbot-macos-build/SKILL.md
Attribution basis: Source repository record

Fields of work: Development & Engineering
Roles: Backend Developer, DevOps / SRE, Mobile Developer
Specialties: Backend, Mobile
Tools: Xcode, Pnpm, Node.Js
Country applicability: Country not specified
Classification basis: Source catalog labels
Instruction SHA-256: 38fb100875b2f97d56b830b6cf7e615684af95750ba3832e53361a1d7e4680f4