This project provides an open-source server for AI agents to control remote macOS systems, acting as a direct alternative to OpenAI's Operator. It enables autonomous AI agents to perform tasks like social media engagement, video editing, and recruitment directly on a Mac, without requiring additional software or API keys on the target machine, leveraging the native macOS experience.

How It Works

The server utilizes Apple's Screen Sharing protocol (specifically targeting protocol 30 for broader compatibility with older macOS versions) to enable remote control. It integrates with AI clients via the MCP (Machine Control Protocol) framework, allowing LLMs to send commands for screen capture, keyboard input, mouse actions, and application launching. WebRTC support via LiveKit is included for low-latency screen sharing.

Quick Start & Requirements

• Install Docker Desktop on your local machine.
• Enable Screen Sharing on the target macOS machine.
• Configure your AI client (e.g., Claude Desktop) with the provided Docker command, specifying MACOS_USERNAME, MACOS_PASSWORD, and MACOS_HOST.
• For WebRTC: Set up a LiveKit server or use LiveKit Cloud and configure environment variables.
• Official Docs: https://github.com/baryhuang/mcp-remote-macos-use

Highlighted Details

• No extra API costs; utilizes existing Claude Pro plan.
• Minimal setup on target Macs: only Screen Sharing needs to be enabled.
• Universal compatibility claimed across all macOS versions.
• Supports LLM flexibility (OpenAI, Anthropic, etc.) via MCP.

Maintenance & Community

The project is actively maintained by baryhuang. Contributions are welcomed. Links to community channels are not explicitly provided in the README.

Licensing & Compatibility

The project's license is not explicitly stated in the README, but a LICENSE file is mentioned. Compatibility for commercial use or closed-source linking would depend on the specific license.

Limitations & Caveats

The server only supports Apple's Screen Sharing protocol version 30, which uses a 512-bit prime Diffie-Hellman key agreement. This may limit compatibility with newer macOS versions that default to stronger protocols (e.g., protocol 36 with 2048-bit RSA keys). Performance optimization to match Ubuntu desktop alternatives is listed as a future task.