---
summary: "macOS permission persistence (TCC) and signing requirements"
read_when:
  - Debugging missing or stuck macOS permission prompts
  - Deciding whether to grant Accessibility to node or a CLI runtime
  - Packaging or signing the macOS app
  - Changing bundle IDs or app install paths
title: "macOS permissions"
---

macOS permission grants are fragile. TCC associates a permission grant with the app's code signature, bundle identifier, and on-disk path. If any of those change, macOS treats the app as new and may drop or hide prompts.

## Requirements for stable permissions

- Same path: run the app from a fixed location (for OpenClaw, `dist/OpenClaw.app`).
- Same bundle identifier: OpenClaw's bundle ID is `ai.openclaw.mac`; changing it creates a new permission identity.
- Signed app: unsigned or ad-hoc signed builds do not persist permissions.
- Consistent signature: use a real Apple Development or Developer ID certificate so the signature stays stable across rebuilds.

Ad-hoc signatures generate a new identity every build. macOS forgets previous grants, and prompts can disappear entirely until the stale entries are cleared.

## Accessibility grants for Node and CLI runtimes

Prefer granting Accessibility to OpenClaw.app, Peekaboo.app, or another signed helper with its own bundle identifier instead of a generic `node` binary.

macOS TCC grants Accessibility to the code identity of the process it sees. If a Homebrew, nvm, pnpm, or npm workflow causes a shared `node` executable to receive Accessibility, any JavaScript package launched through that same executable may inherit GUI automation privileges.

Treat a `node` entry in System Settings as broad permission for that Node runtime, not as permission for one npm package. Avoid granting Accessibility to `node` unless you trust every script and package launched through that exact Node install.

If you accidentally granted Accessibility to `node`, remove that entry from System Settings -> Privacy & Security -> Accessibility. Then grant the signed app or helper that should own UI automation.

## Recovery checklist when prompts disappear

1. Quit the app.
2. Remove the app entry in System Settings -> Privacy & Security.
3. Relaunch the app from the same path and re-grant permissions.
4. If the prompt still does not appear, reset TCC entries with `tccutil` and try again.
5. Some permissions only reappear after a full macOS restart.

Example resets (using OpenClaw's bundle ID, `ai.openclaw.mac`):

```bash
sudo tccutil reset Accessibility ai.openclaw.mac
sudo tccutil reset ScreenCapture ai.openclaw.mac
sudo tccutil reset AppleEvents
```

## Files and folders permissions (Desktop/Documents/Downloads)

macOS may also gate Desktop, Documents, and Downloads for terminal/background processes. If file reads or directory listings hang, grant access to the same process context that performs file operations (for example Terminal/iTerm, LaunchAgent-launched app, or SSH process).

Workaround: move files into the OpenClaw workspace (`~/.openclaw/workspace`) if you want to avoid per-folder grants.

If you are testing permissions, always sign with a real certificate. Ad-hoc builds are only acceptable for quick local runs where permissions do not matter.

## Related

- [macOS app](/platforms/macos)
- [macOS signing](/platforms/mac/signing)
