A Mac mini can be your dedicated space for AI agents, with tasks you can follow from your phone. Start with one app, a practice folder, and a small task. Here is the simple route from setup to your first remote session.
Before you start
- A Mac mini compatible with your chosen apps, up-to-date macOS, and internet access.
- A monitor, keyboard, and mouse for the initial setup.
- Your chosen app on the Mac and phone, signed into the same account. Some features require an eligible plan or permission from your organization.
- An empty folder called AI Practice. Start there, without personal documents.
1. Get your Mac ready
Open System Settings → Energy. Enable the option to prevent automatic sleeping when the display is off. If available, also enable Wake for network access. Your display can turn off while the Mac keeps working.
You can enable startup after a power failure if your model offers it. That does not unlock the Mac or automatically resume your tasks. Keep FileVault and password login enabled: after a restart, someone may need to unlock the Mac in person.
2. Choose Codex or Claude Code
For Codex: install the official ChatGPT Mac app, sign in, and open Codex. Select This computer and your AI Practice folder.
To let it interact with other apps, find Computer Use in Plugins, install it, and follow setup. macOS may ask for Accessibility and Screen Recording permissions. Review which apps it can access and keep Ask for approval selected.
For Claude Code: install Claude for Mac, sign in, and open Code. Add AI Practice and choose a Local environment. Check that the session is running on your Mac.
Choose one to start. Menu labels may vary with your app version and account.
3. Connect your phone
Codex: on the Mac, open Settings → Connections → Control this Mac, then choose Set up or Add. Scan the QR code with your phone and confirm the connection. Use the same account and workspace; open Codex in the mobile app and select your Mac.
Claude Code: inside your local Code session, type /remote-control and follow the connection steps. On your phone, open Code with the same account and select that session. You can also open it at claude.ai/code. To connect new sessions automatically, look for Connect new sessions to Remote Control in Code settings.
If the app offers to keep the computer awake for remote access, enable it. The Mac must stay powered on, online, and running the app.
4. Run a one-minute test
Send this from your phone:
Work only inside the AI Practice folder. Create a file named first-test.txt with three ideas for organizing my week. Do not open other folders or connect accounts. Ask for approval before taking any action outside this task.Look at the Mac and check that the file exists. Then lock its screen and try another small task. This shows you what works before you depend on the connection remotely. For browsing, start with a public page; private accounts may require extra permissions or for you to sign in yourself.
5. Optional: see the entire desktop remotely
If you need to control the full desktop, install Jump Desktop Connect on your Mac mini and Jump Desktop on the device you will connect from. Follow the official download instructions and grant the permissions it requests.
Connect is free; some viewer apps are paid. Test the connection before unplugging the monitor, keyboard, or mouse. With FileVault enabled, someone may need to unlock the Mac in person after a restart.
6. Optional: try AI running on your Mac
On the LM Studio download page, choose Bionic. In the app, open Settings → Local Models → Explore, choose a small model marked as compatible, and download it. Select it as Local in a chat. Load just one model to begin with.
Local means the model runs on your Mac and uses its memory. Cloud options use an external service and may have separate costs. Running a local model does not make Codex or Claude Code work without internet.
If something is missing: update your apps and check your plan or workspace restrictions. If the connection drops, check that the Mac is awake, online, and still running the session. Finish steps 1 to 4 first; the optional extras can wait.