Beam pulls single app windows off the Mac Mini running your agents

Beam is a novel Mac app developed by Hiten Shah and Sam Asante of Noats, enabling a single window from one Mac to be transferred to another. This tool is specifically designed for the headless Mac Mini that houses AI agents in a closet. Unlike traditional remote desktops which require opening Screen Sharing and navigating a full desktop, Beam allows users to select an individual window, such as a Terminal session or browser window, and have it appear on their local Mac.

This new window retains its own Dock icon and can be accessed via the Command+Tab switcher. Resizing and relocating the Beam window also reflects on the original Mac, and user interactions like keyboard shortcuts and file transfers function seamlessly. However, Beam operates solely on the originating Mac and does not require transferring data through its servers.

Audio can also play locally within the Beam window. The app can extend its reach to a full display or the entire Mac if needed. This solution addresses the increasing trend of using Mac Minis as always-on machines for running agents and local models, a concept that Apple confirmed during their April earnings call, emphasizing the growing role of Macs as infrastructure.

While there are existing solutions like Astropad's Workbench that offer similar functionality, Beam uniquely focuses on the window as the fundamental unit of remote access, rather than the entire screen. The app is currently available for macOS, requiring both the source and target machines to be on the same Wi-Fi network or connected via Tailscale.

Pricing options include free hosting and sharing for up to 20 minutes a day, with paid plans starting at $12 per month or $199 for a lifetime license. Beam represents a significant step forward for remote access to Mac-based AI agents, simplifying the process to the level of selecting a single window, thereby streamlining workflows for developers and AI enthusiasts alike.