Mac Maintenance#

Use terminal-first inspection. Prefer read-only checks before making changes. Summarize findings, then propose the smallest useful set of actions.

Workflow#

1. Clarify the scope if the request is broad: storage, performance, startup items, battery/power, networking, or OpenClaw health.
2. Run non-destructive inspection first.
3. Group findings into:
   • safe to report immediately
   • safe to fix automatically
   • risky changes that need confirmation
4. If making changes, prefer reversible actions and explain impact briefly.
5. End with a short maintenance summary and next steps.

Common checks#

Storage and large files#

• Inspect free space.
• Find unusually large files and folders.
• Separate cache/log growth from user documents.
• Suggest archival or cleanup before deleting anything.

Background activity#

• Inspect running processes, launch agents, and login items.
• Look for obvious resource hogs, crash loops, or stale helpers.
• Distinguish system services from third-party items.

Power and sleep#

• Inspect pmset settings, assertions, and recent sleep/wake logs.
• Use this path when diagnosing lid-close disconnects, overnight idle behavior, or caffeinate/disablesleep experiments.

Networking#

• Check interface status, local IPs, DNS, and reachability.
• For OpenClaw issues, also inspect openclaw status and relevant logs.

OpenClaw-specific maintenance#

• Run openclaw status when relevant.
• Check gateway health, channel state, update availability, and obvious warnings.
• Surface security warnings but do not change security-sensitive configuration without confirmation.

Change policy#

Safe without extra confirmation:

• inspection commands
• generating reports
• creating maintenance notes/scripts in the workspace

Ask before:

• deleting files outside obvious disposable caches
• changing startup items or launch agents
• changing power management settings
• installing or removing software
• changing firewall, SSH, or security settings

Output pattern#

When reporting results, use this structure:

• What I checked
• What I found
• Recommended actions
• What I can do next

Keep it practical. Avoid long generic Mac advice if the issue is specific.