Getting Started with WebChat for macOS

I often find that switching between browser tabs just to interact with an agent breaks my flow. It is frustrating to lose focus because the interface you need is buried under a dozen other windows. Having a dedicated tool right in the menu bar makes a big difference when you need quick access without the overhead of a full browser.

The WebChat macOS app solves this by embedding the interface as a native SwiftUI view. It stays in your menu bar and connects directly to your Gateway.

What You’ll Need

macOS: This is a native menu bar application.
Gateway Access: A running Gateway (local or remote).
SSH Access: Required if you plan to use Remote mode.

Quick Start

You can get WebChat running in just a few steps. It defaults to your primary session—usually called main or global—but you can switch sessions within the UI.

Manual Launch: Click the Lobster menu in your bar and select Open Chat.
CLI Launch: If you are testing or prefer the terminal, run this command:
Terminal window
```
dist/OpenClaw.app/Contents/MacOS/OpenClaw --webchat
```
Choose Your Mode:
- Local mode: Connects directly to your local Gateway WebSocket.
- Remote mode: Forwards the Gateway control port over SSH. This tunnel acts as your data plane.
Onboarding: If this is your first time, the app uses a dedicated session to keep your setup separate from your main work.

Troubleshooting

If things aren’t working as expected, you should check the logs first. The app uses specific subsystems and categories to help you filter out the noise.

Run the following script to see what is happening under the hood:

./scripts/clawlog.sh

Look for these identifiers:

Subsystem: bot.molt
Category: WebChatSwiftUI

Keep in mind that this UI is optimized specifically for chat sessions. It is not a full browser sandbox, so some web features might not behave like a standard browser.

What’s Next

For more help with your specific environment, check out the AI Setup Assistant.

OpenClaw Expert

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