MacServe.
The app creates your Linux server.
The web panel connects your apps to the world.
At least 8 GiB of memory and 10 GiB of free disk space.
Intel Macs aren’t supported.
An invitation is required to connect your Mac. This early-access app is not yet notarized by Apple, so macOS may block it from opening. If it does, contact your inviter for installation help.
Open the ZIP in Downloads, then move MacServe.app into Applications. Open it from there.
macOS may ask you to confirm opening an app downloaded from the internet. Check that it names MacServe. If you see a security block, stop and contact your inviter; don’t disable your Mac’s security settings.
MacServe.appChoose how many CPU cores and how much memory to give Linux, then click Create your server. MacServe leaves resources for macOS.
The app first shows a setup code and asks you to approve this Mac in the web panel. Nothing is created before that approval.
Already have a MacServe server? Click Connect your Mac. Your existing files and resource allocation stay in place.
No Docker is required. Your Mac’s folders aren’t shared into Linux. Its disk grows as needed, up to 40 GiB.
Click Open web panel in the app. Sign in with your invited MacServe account. Your Mac’s details are already filled in. This password is separate from your Mac’s login password.
Check that the Mac name and twelve-character code match on both screens, then click Approve this Mac. If the link does not work, use Have a setup code? on the connection page. Codes expire after ten minutes.
With app version 0.2.1, both screens follow the same steps: Approve, Prepare, Connect, Ready. Once approved, the code disappears and your server is prepared automatically. You can stay on either screen. Your first linked Mac starts the account’s free trial: 7 days or 1 GB, whichever comes first.
MacServe app•••• •••• ••••Open web panel•••• •••• ••••Approve this MacPairing enables MacServe’s background hosting and menu bar app. macOS may notify you about background activity. Closing the main window leaves hosting running. Keep your Mac awake, online, and signed in to macOS; a sleeping or offline Mac can’t serve your apps.
Use Open terminal in MacServe to install and start your app in Linux. It opens Apple Terminal into your Linux server. Commands run there, and Linux’s sudo does not use your Mac’s login password.
If your app is already running, go straight to Public access in the web panel. Choose it under Websites & domains, then connect your domain.
Add the exact records shown in MacServe, save them at your DNS provider, then return to the panel and click I’ve added the records. MacServe keeps checking in the background while your provider updates DNS. MacServe handles the SSL certificate; open your HTTPS address once the panel confirms it’s ready.
Use SSH keys & setup to add your other computer’s public key. Keep the private key on that computer. Wait for your Mac to confirm installation, then use the returned username, address and port. No domain is needed. Verify the returned server identity before connecting.
Open web panel →The internet-download check, early-access security block, and background-activity notification described above can appear. Hosting does not require Full Disk Access, Accessibility, or Screen Recording. The current app is designed not to ask for Keychain access. If an unexpected permission or password prompt appears, cancel it and contact your inviter with its wording.