MacRun

MacRun's Agent Mac plan rents a dedicated Mac mini for running AI coding agents around the clock. Claude Code and Codex arrive installed, a terminal session is ready for sign-in, and the machine is configured to stay awake when the customer's laptop is closed. This is physical Mac hardware assigned to one customer rather than a shared browser sandbox. The main use case is giving a coding agent a persistent macOS environment for building, testing, and changing software while the developer checks in from another computer or a phone. MacRun handles the machine and remote access, while the customer remains responsible for the agent, its instructions, and the code it touches.

Onboarding is designed to be short. The customer chooses Claude Code or Codex during checkout, and MacRun says the browser access link normally arrives within five minutes. The first agent is already running in Terminal. The user signs in with an existing Claude or ChatGPT account and then gives it work on a repository. Both supported agents are installed and updated, and the customer can switch between them or run both later. MacRun doesn't sell API credits or bundle model usage. The normal Anthropic or OpenAI subscription covers the agent, so the hosting bill and AI service bill remain separate. There is no per-token charge from MacRun, though the limits and terms of the connected AI subscription still apply.

Remote control is available through a desktop that opens in the MacRun portal, with no local client required for that path. It lets the user watch work, approve a login, paste a verification code, or handle another step that needs a person. Once the agent is signed in, tasks can also be sent from the Claude or ChatGPT mobile app, with the browser desktop kept for interventions. Customers who want a more traditional connection can use SSH or Screen Sharing over Tailscale. The account on the Mac is an administrator with sudo access, so it can install Homebrew packages, Xcode versions, simulator runtimes, Chrome extensions, or another coding agent required by the project. This also means customers need to manage what they install and what privileges they give to an agent.

The standard machine is listed as a dedicated Apple M6 Mac mini with 16 GB of unified memory and a 256 GB SSD. Sleep is disabled, the session stays logged in, and the rack provides wired Ethernet plus battery backup. Google Chrome, tmux, Homebrew, and Xcode join Claude Code and Codex in the initial software set. The base memory is appropriate for agents that call cloud models, but it is a constraint for large local models. MacRun notes that a 30B-class local model generally needs 48 GB and a quantized 70B-class model needs 64 GB. It offers higher memory M5 Pro builds for local Ollama, MLX, or LM Studio use. Those are built to order, involve an upfront build fee, and begin monthly billing when the custom unit is ready.

The service has a firm workload boundary. Agent Macs are for software development and the related building, testing, and support tools allowed by Apple's leased hardware terms. MacRun says they must not be used as general automation machines for inboxes, customer relationship systems, or social accounts. It also doesn't monitor conversations or babysit an agent when it gets stuck. Sign-in happens on the assigned Mac, and the user returns when human approval is needed. MacRun directly supports Claude Code and Codex. Other installed agents can work on the machine, but their setup and operation remain the customer's responsibility. A separate CI runner plan exists for GitHub Actions, which keeps that unattended build workload distinct from the logged-in agent desktop.

Pricing is paid and monthly. The Agent Mac page advertises $84 for the first month and $169 per month afterward, with cancellation available through the customer portal. The rate at signup is retained for that customer. Access ends after the paid period when a customer cancels, then the machine is securely erased and restored before it is assigned again, so important files need to be copied elsewhere first. Email support is published at support@macrun.dev and is described as being handled by someone familiar with the machine. MacRun is a practical fit for developers who need persistent macOS, especially for iOS or macOS work that depends on Xcode and simulators. It costs more than a small Linux VPS, but offers dedicated Apple hardware, an interactive desktop, administrator control, and coding-agent setup in one service.