Separate user account on same macOS machine
Is it possible to create a new user account on macOS and install clawdbot there so it's separate to my main user account? So does the gateway run in background while I'm logged in with the main account?
Solution
Yes, this is possible but with an important caveat: the secondary user account needs to remain logged in for Clawdbot to run.
How it works on macOS:
- Clawdbot's gateway runs as a user process, not a system service
- When a user logs out, all their processes terminate
- So the secondary user must stay logged in (either actively or via Fast User Switching)
Two approaches:
1. Fast User Switching - Enable it in System Settings โ Users & Groups โ Login Options. Keep the Clawdbot user logged in (can switch back to your main account). The gateway keeps running in the background.
2. SSH access from main account - Run Clawdbot on the secondary user via SSH from your main account. You'll need to:
- Enable Remote Login on the secondary user
- Set up SSH keys for passwordless auth
- Keep the secondary user logged in
How it works on macOS:
- Clawdbot's gateway runs as a user process, not a system service
- When a user logs out, all their processes terminate
- So the secondary user must stay logged in (either actively or via Fast User Switching)
Two approaches:
1. Fast User Switching - Enable it in System Settings โ Users & Groups โ Login Options. Keep the Clawdbot user logged in (can switch back to your main account). The gateway keeps running in the background.
2. SSH access from main account - Run Clawdbot on the secondary user via SSH from your main account. You'll need to:
- Enable Remote Login on the secondary user
- Set up SSH keys for passwordless auth
- Keep the secondary user logged in
