Local-first software for macOS, iPhone, and iPad. Connect over a trusted LAN or private Tailscale network—with visible approval for every new device and no hosted relay.
- Install Vamp Sync on the Mac you want to reach.
- Install one client on your other device:
| Client | Install on | Choose it for |
|---|---|---|
| Vamp Control | Mac, iPhone, or iPad | Mac-to-Mac access or the Control interface on mobile |
| Vamp Stream | iPhone or iPad | A focused app-window experience on your phone or tablet |
Both clients connect to Sync and control a selected Mac app window. Use a trusted LAN or private Tailscale network, scan Sync’s QR, compare the complete device fingerprint, and approve the verified device on the Mac.
Compare clients and download the latest builds
Vamp Assistant is an independent AI app for local or BYOK chat, Code workspaces, and specialist tools. Its features include:
- Device-aware model recommendations, local MLX/GGUF, remote providers, and account-backed models through a local Codex setup.
- Researcher, Builder, Reviewer, and Navigator bots, with private browser profiles.
- Project context and memory, skills/MCP, plans, Git checkpoints, and verification.
- Chat history imports, browser and Simulator tools, and Apple app delivery through Ship Center.
- Its own iOS/browser companions for continuing work; native iOS also offers app/display control.
Explore all Assistant features. Install it on your Mac, then add its mobile companion if needed. It does not require Sync. Assistant lives in the separate vamp-assistant repository.
Other tools and compatibility
Vamp Sync and Vamp Assistant are the only current hosts. Vamp Host, Vamp Terminal Host, and Vamp Linux Host are discontinued. Their historical source and build targets remain for compatibility and shared-source verification; new packages are no longer produced. Vamp Terminal documentation describes legacy workflows. New app-window setups use Sync.
No Vamp account or hosted relay is required. Existing discovery, storage, and installation identifiers remain stable for compatibility.
Use the current downloads at thevamp.app.
Important
iOS releases are unsigned IPAs intended for AltStore-style re-signing with your own Apple ID/team. macOS direct-download apps may require Open Anyway on first launch. Never disable Gatekeeper globally.
For macOS hosts:
- Move the app to
/Applications. - Control-click it and choose Open, or use System Settings → Privacy & Security → Open Anyway.
- Grant Screen Recording for video.
- Grant Accessibility only when keyboard and pointer control are needed.
- Approve a client only after its displayed identity or fingerprint matches.
See the complete installation reference and iOS sideload guide for app-specific instructions.
Requirements: macOS 13 or later and Xcode 26 or later.
List the maintained schemes:
xcodebuild -list -project RemoteDesktopToolApps.xcodeprojBuild Vamp Sync without a signing identity:
xcodebuild \
-project RemoteDesktopToolApps.xcodeproj \
-scheme VampMiniHost \
-configuration Release \
CODE_SIGNING_ALLOWED=NO \
buildCreate the unsigned Stream IPA and Vamp Sync package:
scripts/package-vamp-stream-ios.sh --clean
scripts/package-vamp-mini-host.sh --cleanArtifacts are written below dist/. Building an unsigned IPA does not require
an Apple account or provisioning profile; installing it on a device does
require re-signing by AltStore or another compatible tool.
| Path | What belongs there |
|---|---|
Sources/ |
Shared models, protocol, security, discovery, transport, UI, and active app source |
MacClient/ |
Vamp Control for macOS |
RemoteDesktopToolApps.xcodeproj/ |
Maintained Host, Sync, Control iOS, and Terminal schemes |
Configuration/ |
Current application plists and entitlements |
Tests/ |
Shared unit and integration tests |
scripts/ |
Reproducible packaging, release, watchdog, and CLI tools |
docs/ |
Technical guides and the source for thevamp.app |
Historical MacPair packaging remains available in Git history and old release tags, but is intentionally excluded from the current source tree and workflows.
The vamp CLI exposes a small machine-readable control surface for Vamp Host:
sudo ln -sf "$PWD/scripts/vamp" /usr/local/bin/vamp
vamp ensure
vamp status --json
vamp pending --json
vamp approve-pairing --fingerprint <verified-hex>Caution
An agent must never approve an unknown pairing request. Show the device name and fingerprint to the user and require an exact match before approval.
See Agent integration and llms.txt.
Network and compatibility contract
| Service | Contract |
|---|---|
| Bonjour discovery | _screenharbor._tcp — retained for paired-client compatibility |
| Signaling | TCP 9471 |
| Session data | UDP/TCP 9472 |
| TLS signaling | TCP 9473 |
| URL actions | vamphost://action/{start,stop,restart} |
| Agent status | ~/Library/Application Support/Vamp Host/host.widget.snapshot.json |
Use Vamp only with devices you own or are authorized to control. New peer identities require host approval. Terminal access is opt-in on Vamp Host and always-on only in the explicitly installed Vamp Terminal Host. The Mac-side host can be stopped at any time.
Report vulnerabilities privately using the security policy. Do not disclose an unpatched vulnerability in a public issue.
Contributions are welcome. Start with CONTRIBUTING.md, the Code of Conduct, and the release process.
Vamp Suite is available under the Apache License 2.0. Third-party components retain their own licenses; see THIRD_PARTY_NOTICES.md. Governance, support, and name-use policies are documented in GOVERNANCE.md, SUPPORT.md, and TRADEMARKS.md.
Vamp Suite is independent and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by Apple Inc. Tailscale is an optional private-network transport and is not a hosted Vamp service.