LitterBox.

LitterBox support

Set up and use
your first Box.

LitterBox runs macOS and Ubuntu guests on an Apple Silicon Mac running macOS 14 or later.

Download LitterBox free on the Mac App Store, then follow the steps below to create your first Box.

Your first Box

  1. Open LitterBox and choose New Box using the plus button.
  2. Give it a name and choose macOS, Ubuntu Desktop, or Ubuntu Server.
  3. Open Advanced Options to review CPU, memory, disk, display, networking, and persistence. On macOS 27, you can also configure automatic first-account setup. For a macOS guest, you can choose shared host folders.
  4. Choose Create Box. LitterBox downloads the installation media and starts the setup process. Initial downloads can be several gigabytes.
  5. A macOS 27 host and guest use automatic setup by default and sign in without interactive Setup Assistant; earlier macOS guests use Setup Assistant. For Ubuntu, complete the interactive installer in the Desktop window. Once installed, use Open Box to access the guest.

Common questions

Can I run another copy of macOS?

Yes. LitterBox uses Apple's Virtualization framework to install and run a macOS guest on Apple Silicon. LitterBox selects a restore image supported by your Mac. You cannot choose an arbitrary macOS version. The guest OS remains subject to Apple's license terms.

Which Linux systems are included?

LitterBox downloads official Ubuntu Desktop and Ubuntu Server installers from the 24.04 LTS release series. Both use the arm64 architecture. You cannot import a custom ISO in this version.

Does LitterBox include an AI agent?

No. Set up your preferred development tools or AI agent inside the guest OS. LitterBox manages the virtual machine. It does not connect to an AI provider.

How much storage and memory do I need?

Choose a virtual disk of at least 32 GB. Before creating the Box, LitterBox checks that your Mac has enough free space for the disk size you chose. The disk file grows as the guest writes data. Leave enough free space on your Mac for the guest, downloaded install images, saved clean states, and copies of your Boxes. Leave memory and CPU capacity for the host. A macOS restore image may need more CPU or memory than your initial settings. LitterBox raises those settings to meet the image's requirements.

Can the guest access my files or network?

LitterBox shares no host folders by default. You can add shared folders to a macOS Box. Look for My Shared Files in the guest. With Network Enabled, the guest uses NAT for outbound connections. It can reach the internet and accessible services on your Mac or local network. Choose Disabled when the guest should have no network device. A VM is not a guarantee that arbitrary software is harmless.

What do Duplicate Box, Fresh Litter, and Toss Box do?

Duplicate Box copies a stopped Box. Fresh Litter restores its saved clean state and discards later changes. Toss Box deletes the Box and its files. A clean state is saved after installation. Keep separate backups of work you need, including anything stored in shared host folders.

Are Disposable Boxes deleted automatically?

No. Disposable marks a Box as intended for temporary work. Use Toss Box when you are ready to remove it.

The first installation or download is taking a while.

macOS restore images and Ubuntu installers are large downloads. Check free disk space and your connection, then review the progress shown in the Box details or Images. If a download fails, use Retry. Ubuntu installation requires you to complete the steps in the guest's installer.

My Box is stuck stopping.

Give the guest time to finish its shutdown. Force Stop is available when a guest cannot shut down normally, but it may discard unsaved work or interrupt disk writes. Use it only when you accept that risk.

Contact the developer

Email litterbox@markcodes.dev for app support or privacy requests.

When reporting a problem, include the LitterBox version, your host macOS version, the guest OS, and the steps that led to it. Share the exact error text if available. Leave passwords, API keys, and private guest files out of the report.

← Back to LitterBox