Getting started with your Mac mini

1. Find your connection details

Sign in and open My Mac in your dashboard. Once your machine is ready it lists the SSH host, port, and username, and the remote desktop protocol and port we configured. These details are shown only there; we never send them by plain email. If the page says your machine is still being prepared, you will get an email within 24 hours of your request.

2. Connect over SSH

macOS and Linux have an SSH client built in. Windows 10 and later include OpenSSH; use PowerShell or Windows Terminal. Replace the placeholders with the values from your dashboard. The first connection asks you to confirm the host key; compare it with the fingerprint shown in your dashboard before typing yes.

ssh USERNAME@HOST -p PORT

3. Add your SSH key and turn off password logins for your account

Keys are safer than passwords. Generate one on your own computer if you do not have one, copy the public key to the Mac, then test a key-based login before you rely on it. Keep the private key on your own devices only.

ssh-keygen -t ed25519 -C "you@example.com"
ssh-copy-id -p PORT USERNAME@HOST
ssh -p PORT USERNAME@HOST   # should not ask for a password

4. Use the desktop when you need it

For Xcode’s GUI, simulators, or any windowed app, connect with a remote desktop client using the protocol and port shown in your dashboard. On macOS, Screen Sharing is built in (Finder → Go → Connect to Server). On Windows, Linux, or iPad use a VNC-compatible client. Lower the resolution on slow connections; keep long builds in SSH sessions instead.

5. Keep work running after you disconnect

Processes started in a plain SSH session end when it closes. Start long tasks inside tmux, detach with Ctrl-b then d, and reattach later from any device. For recurring jobs, create a launchd agent or a cron entry.

tmux new -s work      # start a session
# ... run your build, agent, or tests ...
# Ctrl-b d to detach
tmux attach -t work   # reattach later

6. Install your tools

You have administrator access, subject to security and licensing requirements. Homebrew, language runtimes, Xcode, containers, and databases install as on any Mac. Do not disable the management controls the machine ships with; if something you need appears blocked, open a ticket.

/bin/bash -c "$(curl -fsSL https://raw.githubusercontent.com/Homebrew/install/HEAD/install.sh)"
brew install git node tmux

7. Set up backups

The machine’s storage is yours alone and is securely erased when your rental ends. We do not keep copies. Push code to Git, and copy anything else you need to cloud storage or your own machine on a schedule.

Getting help

Open a ticket from the Support section of your dashboard. Tickets are tied to your account and machine, and access incidents are prioritized. See also how to remotely access a hosted Mac and using a remote Mac for Xcode.