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Install on macOS

macOS is the easiest platform to get started on — especially if you have a Mac with Apple Silicon (M1 or later). Everything you need is a quick download away.

  1. 1

    Install Docker Desktop

    Docker is the tool that runs LanJAM's services on your Mac. Think of it like a container that keeps everything neatly packaged — easy to install, easy to remove.

    Download Docker Desktop for Mac — choose the Apple Silicon version if your Mac has an M1, M2, M3, or M4 chip, or Intel if it's an older Mac. Open the installer and drag Docker to your Applications folder. Launch it once to finish setup.

  2. 2

    Install Ollama

    Ollama runs AI models directly on your Mac. This is what makes LanJAM completely private — your conversations never leave your home.

    Download Ollama for Mac — open the installer and follow the prompts. Once installed, Ollama runs quietly in the background.

  3. 3

    Open Terminal

    Terminal is a built-in app on every Mac — you just need to open it to run one command. Don't worry, you won't need to learn anything complicated.

    Press Cmd + Space to open Spotlight, type "Terminal", and press Enter. A window with a text prompt will appear — that's where you'll paste the install command.

  4. 4

    Run the install command

    Copy and paste the following command, then press Enter. The installer will walk you through a few simple questions.

    curl -fsSL https://dl.lanjam.dev/install.sh | sh
    What does this command do?

    curl -fsSL — Downloads the install script from the LanJAM website. The flags make it run quietly and follow redirects.

    | sh — Runs the downloaded script. It's an interactive installer that will ask you a few questions (like where to install and what port to use).

    The script checks that Docker and Ollama are installed, sets up configuration files, downloads the LanJAM containers, and starts everything up. It won't install anything outside the directory you choose.

  5. 5

    Open LanJAM

    Once the installer finishes, it will display the exact URLs you can use to access LanJAM — including addresses that work from other devices on your network.

    From the computer you installed on, open your browser and go to http://localhost:3000 (or your chosen port). From other devices like phones, tablets, or other computers, use the machine's hostname or IP address shown by the installer. If port 80 was available, you won't even need a port number.

    You'll be guided through creating your admin account and inviting family members. See the first-time setup guide for a walkthrough.

Accessing LanJAM from other devices

To connect from phones, tablets, or other computers on your network, you need the hostname or IP address of the machine running LanJAM.

Finding your hostname and IP on macOS:

  • Hostname: System Settings → General → Sharing — look for "Local hostname" (e.g. my-macbook.local )
  • IP address: System Settings → Wi-Fi → click "Details" next to your network → IP Address
  • Or in Terminal: hostname and ipconfig getifaddr en0

Automatic restart

LanJAM restarts automatically whenever Docker is running. To make sure Docker starts when your computer boots:

Open Docker Desktop → Settings → General → enable "Start Docker Desktop when you sign in".

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