Summary

Provide a macOS Docker image that enables Linux/Windows x86_64 users to run the complete OpenClaw stack — CLI + macOS node app with all native capabilities (screen, camera, canvas, accessibility, AppleScript, notifications).

Problem to solve

OpenClaw's richest feature set lives on macOS — the node app provides screen recording, camera access, canvas/A2UI, AppleScript automation, and accessibility control. Users on Linux or Windows are limited to CLI-only mode and miss out on these capabilities entirely. There is currently no supported path for non-Mac users to experience or develop against the full feature set without purchasing Apple hardware.

Proposed solution

A Docker image (based on KVM/QEMU macOS virtualization) that:

• Boots macOS on x86_64 Linux/Windows hosts
• Comes pre-configured with OpenClaw CLI and node app dependencies
• Exposes GUI via VNC/noVNC for node app interaction
• Supports node pairing with an external OpenClaw gateway
• Includes Docker Compose config for one-command deployment

We have built and tested this — both CLI and GUI (node app) run fully, including screen capture, canvas, and node pairing. We'd like to contribute the Dockerfile, build scripts, and documentation to the official repo or as a linked community project.

Alternatives considered

• Linux-native node app: Would require porting all macOS-specific features (screen recording, AppleScript, accessibility APIs) — massive effort and incomplete parity.
• VM guides (manual): Users can set up Hackintosh VMs manually, but the process is complex, error-prone, and unsupported. A Docker image removes all friction.
• Remote Mac services (MacStadium, etc.): Costs money and adds latency. A local Docker container is free and instant.

Impact

• Affected: All Linux/Windows OpenClaw users who want full macOS node capabilities
• Severity: Blocks workflow — these users simply cannot access screen, camera, canvas, or accessibility features
• Frequency: Always — it's a platform limitation
• Consequence: Non-Mac users are second-class citizens; contributors on Linux can't test or develop node app features

Evidence/examples

• Successfully tested on Ubuntu 22.04 (x86_64) with KVM acceleration
• OpenClaw CLI: fully functional ✅
• OpenClaw node app (GUI): fully functional ✅ — screen recording, canvas, notifications, node pairing all working
• Performance is comparable to native with KVM passthrough

Additional information

• Requires host CPU with VT-x/AMD-V support and KVM access
• We are happy to maintain this as community contributors