Overview
macOS sandboxes enable testing of Mac-specific applications, desktop software, and macOS-only workflows. macOS sandboxes provide:- macOS Ventura (13.x) or Sonoma (14.x)
- Full desktop environment
- Terminal and command-line tools
- Support for all TestDriver commands
- VNC access for debugging
Usage
Specify macOS as the operating system:With Lifecycle Helpers
System Details
Operating System
- OS: macOS Ventura 13.x or Sonoma 14.x
- Architecture: x86_64 (Intel) or arm64 (Apple Silicon)
- Desktop: Aqua (native macOS desktop)
Pre-installed Software
- Browsers: Safari, Chrome, Firefox
- Runtimes: Node.js, Python 3, Ruby
- Languages: Swift, Objective-C (Xcode Command Line Tools)
- Tools: Homebrew, Git, vim
Default Resolution
- 1920x1080 (configurable via
resolutionparameter)
Configuration
Custom Resolution
Set screen resolution:2560x1440- 27” iMac1920x1080- Full HD1440x900- MacBook Pro (scaled)1280x800- MacBook Air
Environment Variables
Common Use Cases
macOS Desktop Applications
Test native Mac applications:Safari Testing
Test web apps in Safari:Electron Apps
Test Electron applications on macOS:iOS Development Testing
Test iOS development tools and workflows:Command Execution
Shell Commands
Execute shell commands (zsh is default on modern macOS):AppleScript
Execute AppleScript for Mac automation:Application Launching
Launch macOS applications:Package Management
Homebrew
Install packages with Homebrew:NPM
Install Node.js packages:Pip
Install Python packages:Supported Commands
All TestDriver commands are supported on macOS:find()
Locate UI elements
click()
Click elements
type()
Type text
pressKeys()
Press key combinations
exec()
Execute commands
assert()
Verify conditions
Keyboard Shortcuts
macOS keyboard shortcuts work as expected:Debugging
VNC Access
Connect via VNC to watch tests:Screen Recording
Enable screen recording:Console Logs
Access macOS Console logs:Performance
Startup Time
- First test: 90-180s (macOS boots slower than Linux)
- Subsequent tests: 0s (sandbox reuse)
Optimization Tips
- Reuse sandboxes across tests (critical on macOS)
- Enable caching
- Minimize Homebrew installations during tests
- Use parallel test execution carefully (macOS instances are limited)
Beta Limitations
Limited Availability
macOS sandboxes are in beta with limited concurrent instances.Longer Startup
macOS sandboxes take longer to boot than Linux (90-180s vs 20-60s).Architecture Constraints
Currently x86_64 only. Apple Silicon (arm64) support coming soon.Higher Cost
macOS sandboxes consume more test minutes due to licensing.Troubleshooting
Application Permissions
macOS apps may require accessibility permissions:App Won’t Launch
Homebrew Installation Slow
Homebrew installations can be slow. Pre-install via custom AMI or cache:Beta Access
Interested in testing on macOS?Join Beta Waitlist
Request early access to macOS sandboxes

