Requirements · Waycar Help
Requirements
What your iPhone or iPad and your Host need for Waycar, from iOS 18 to herdr 0.7.5 or tmux 3.2, Node 20, OpenSSH and optional mosh.
Waycar needs an iPhone or iPad on iOS or iPadOS 18 or later, and a Host you can reach over SSH that runs herdr 0.7.5 or later, or tmux 3.2 or later. The Waycar host tools on the Host also need Node 20 or later.
On your iPhone or iPad
- iOS or iPadOS 18 or later.
- Dictation needs iOS 26 or later.
On your Host
| What | Version | Why |
|---|---|---|
| herdr | 0.7.5 or later | One of the two Backends Waycar works with |
| tmux | 3.2 or later | The other Backend. You need herdr, tmux, or both |
| Node.js | 20 or later | Runs the Waycar host tools the install command sets up |
| OpenSSH server | Stock config | Waycar connects over SSH |
mosh-server |
Any | Optional, for mosh terminals. UDP traffic must reach it |
Waycar only checks for a minimum herdr version, so newer herdr releases keep working.
SSH settings
- On a Mac, turn on Remote Login. See Set up a Mac as a Host.
- On Linux, install and start the OpenSSH server. See Set up a Linux Host.
- For herdr, the SSH server must allow stream-local forwarding. Waycar reaches herdr’s socket through it.
AllowTcpForwarding noblocks it too, so setAllowTcpForwardingtolocaloryesinsshd_config.
Which agents?
Waycar watches claude, codex, omp, gemini, opencode, pi and more. Install the ones you use on the Host.
Troubleshooting
- The install command says Node is too old or missing. It looks for Node 20 or later on your PATH and in the usual places (nvm, fnm, Volta, asdf, mise, Homebrew). Install Node 20 or later, then run the command again.
- The install command says tmux is too old. Install tmux 3.2 or later, or herdr.
- The Host’s checks say “Neither herdr nor tmux was found on the Host.” Install tmux 3.2 or later, or herdr, on that machine.
- Another install error or warning? See The install command fails.