Install with npm (Apple Silicon Mac)¶
Requirements: macOS 13+ on Apple Silicon (ARM64), Node.js 20+. For other supported macOS or Linux setups, build Core from source.
Install¶
npm install -g openmachine@latest
openmachine
The npm install only unpacks the package. On first run, openmachine asks for
an existing project folder containing a readable file such as README.md.
It then configures a local Core runtime and starts a managed macOS user service.
For non-interactive setup, use an existing folder and file:
openmachine setup --workspace /absolute/project --probe README.md
Verify¶
openmachine status
The service should report ready. Machine commands and workspace edits remain
off by default unless you explicitly grant them.
The npm openmachine command manages setup and service status. Use
openmachine core ... to run Python Core CLI commands. Updating the npm
package alone does not replace an existing managed Core runtime;
see Updates.
Background service and login startup¶
Core runs as a macOS user service and can keep running after you close the
terminal. Use openmachine start, openmachine stop and openmachine status
to control and inspect it.
openmachine startup on
openmachine startup off
These commands enable or disable startup when you log in. They do not start or
stop the current service. A deliberate openmachine stop remains in effect
until openmachine start, even with login startup enabled. First setup leaves
login startup disabled. This is a user-login service, not a promise of availability
while the Mac is asleep, shut down or logged out.
Connect to ChatGPT¶
The installer does not configure an MCP tunnel, connect a ChatGPT account or approve client tools. Follow Connect to ChatGPT, then verify a real read.