> ## Documentation Index > Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://ayakaleaf-pro.mintlify.site/llms.txt > Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further. # macOS > Run a local Ayakaleaf Pro instance on macOS with Docker Desktop and the Toolkit. In this section we run Ayakaleaf Pro locally on your Mac with Docker Desktop and the [Ayakaleaf Toolkit](https://github.com/ayaka-notes/toolkit). The guide uses `http://localhost:8080`, keeps the data in your home directory, and compiles with TeX Live 2026 in sandboxed containers. Docker Desktop runs the application, MongoDB, Redis and the TeX Live compiler in a Linux virtual machine. You don't install MongoDB, Redis or MacTeX on macOS itself. Use this setup for personal use and local testing. For an always-on shared service, follow the [Linux guide](https://ayakaleaf-pro.mintlify.site/on-premises/installation/using-docker-compose/linux) and configure HTTPS, backups and access control. The instance is unavailable while the Mac sleeps or Docker Desktop is stopped, see [Keep the instance available](https://ayakaleaf-pro.mintlify.site/on-premises/installation/using-docker-compose/macos/6.-post-installation-tasks.md#keep-the-instance-available). ## Before you start You need: * A macOS version supported by [Docker Desktop for Mac](https://docs.docker.com/desktop/setup/install/mac-install/). * Git, [Homebrew](https://brew.sh/) and GNU sed. The Toolkit uses GNU sed options that the BSD sed built into macOS does not accept. * Enough resources for both macOS and Docker. For a small local instance, start with 4 CPUs and 8 GB of memory allocated to Docker Desktop. This is a suggested starting point, not a measured minimum. * At least 40 GB of free storage for a full TeX Live image, plus space for your projects. Check both the free space on the Mac and Docker Desktop's disk usage limit. Start with one TeX Live version: every additional version needs about as much space again. The application and TeX Live images are published for `arm64` and `amd64`. On Apple silicon, let Docker pick the native ARM image and do not force `platform: linux/amd64`. ## Steps | Step | What you do | | - | - | | [0. Setup Docker Desktop](https://ayakaleaf-pro.mintlify.site/on-premises/installation/using-docker-compose/macos/0.-setup-docker-desktop.md) | Install Docker Desktop, check the engine, resources, file sharing and the Docker socket | | [1. Download the Toolkit](https://ayakaleaf-pro.mintlify.site/on-premises/installation/using-docker-compose/macos/1.-download-the-toolkit.md) | Put GNU sed on the `PATH` and clone the Toolkit | | [2. Familiarize yourself with the Toolkit](https://ayakaleaf-pro.mintlify.site/on-premises/installation/using-docker-compose/macos/2.-familiarize-yourself-with-the-toolkit.md) | What differs from Linux when you run the Toolkit scripts | | [3. Initialize the configuration](https://ayakaleaf-pro.mintlify.site/on-premises/installation/using-docker-compose/macos/3.-initialize-the-configuration.md) | Create the files in `config/` with `bin/init` | | [4. Get Ayakaleaf Pro Images](https://ayakaleaf-pro.mintlify.site/on-premises/installation/using-docker-compose/macos/4.-get-ayakaleaf-pro-images.md) | Switch to the Ayakaleaf Pro image | | [5. Personalizing your instance](https://ayakaleaf-pro.mintlify.site/on-premises/installation/using-docker-compose/macos/5.-personalizing-your-instance.md) | Set the port, site URL and TeX Live image, check the Docker VM kernel, and start | | [6. Post-installation tasks](https://ayakaleaf-pro.mintlify.site/on-premises/installation/using-docker-compose/macos/6.-post-installation-tasks.md) | Verify compiles and persistence, keep the Mac awake, daily commands | | [Troubleshooting](https://ayakaleaf-pro.mintlify.site/on-premises/installation/using-docker-compose/macos/troubleshooting.md) | Problems seen on macOS and how to check them | ## Tested configuration This guide was tested on 3 November 2026 against Toolkit commit [`73a9efa`](https://github.com/ayaka-notes/toolkit/commit/73a9efa694b5f24938bd04c7a6060c85008df2c5) with: | Component | Test configuration | | - | - | | Host | Apple silicon, macOS 27.0.1 | | Docker Desktop | 4.88.1 | | Docker Engine / Compose | 29.7.2 / 5.4.0 | | Docker VM kernel | `7.0.12-linuxkit` | | Application | `ghcr.io/ayaka-notes/overleaf-pro:6.3.2` | | Compiler | `ghcr.io/ayaka-notes/texlive-full:2026.1`, ARM64 | | Database / cache | `mongo:8.0` / `redis:7.4` | | Compatibility settings | GNU sed on the `PATH`; the MongoDB `GLIBC_TUNABLES` override from [step 5](https://ayakaleaf-pro.mintlify.site/on-premises/installation/using-docker-compose/macos/5.-personalizing-your-instance.md#check-the-docker-vms-linux-kernel) | The test covered service startup, HTTP responses from the launchpad and login pages, and both LaTeX examples from [step 6](https://ayakaleaf-pro.mintlify.site/on-premises/installation/using-docker-compose/macos/6.-post-installation-tasks.md) submitted through the internal compile service. Both ran in separate ARM64 TeX Live containers, and their PDFs were fetched through the application and checked for the expected text. After `bin/stop` and `bin/start`, the MongoDB and Redis test records were still there and both examples compiled again. Not covered: registering the administrator, the editor in a browser, optional integrations, and access from the LAN or over HTTPS. Complete the account, editor and persistence checks in [step 6](https://ayakaleaf-pro.mintlify.site/on-premises/installation/using-docker-compose/macos/6.-post-installation-tasks.md) on your own installation. Intel Macs, other Docker Desktop versions, Colima, OrbStack and Windows/WSL were not tested. This documentation is built and hosted on [Mintlify](https://mintlify.com), a developer documentation platform.