From Node Selection to Your First Successful Build
SDKMac provides dedicated physical Cloud Macs. Each order corresponds to one physical node, not a virtual machine. Before you begin, confirm your macOS and Xcode requirements, task concurrency, region, storage capacity, and remote access method, then proceed with configuration and delivery.
Order Confirmation
Verify the model, region, billing cycle, and add-ons
02
Node Preparation
Wait for the console to register the physical node status
03
Credential Generation
Read the host details and initial access credentials
04
Verification Task
Run a small build first, then gradually increase concurrency
First Task Record FieldsRecord Only Verifiable Results
Build Duration
Record
Disk Changes
Record
Network Dependencies
Record
Before You Begin
Define the Environment Boundaries Before Choosing a Configuration
Your physical node will host your builds, tests, or experimental environment on an ongoing basis. Before ordering, the goal is not to choose the biggest numbers, but to define the required system, toolchain, memory, storage, and access method.
A
Confirm the System and Toolchain
List the project’s required macOS version, Xcode major version, command-line tools, package managers, runtimes, and build scripts. If the project uses multiple version matrices, define the environment for each task group first to avoid repeatedly overwriting dependencies in the same directory.
Confirm the project’s minimum and target OS versions
Confirm the Xcode and command-line tool combination
List Ruby, Node.js, Java, and other runtimes
B
Estimate Workloads and Storage
Record the space required for typical repository size, dependency caches, build artifacts, simulator data, models, or media assets. Leave headroom for temporary files and concurrent tasks; do not estimate disk needs from source-code size alone.
Record peak disk changes during a single build
Separate source, cache, artifact, and archive directories
Assess task concurrency and peak memory pressure
C
Define the Remote Access Path
Use remote desktop for graphical workflows and SSH for automation and command-line tasks. Confirm the source network, client policy, credential custodian, and revocation process for personnel changes in advance.
Confirm that the local network permits the required connection method
Assign responsibility for receiving and updating credentials
Prepare a secure method for transferring redacted logs
Pre-Order Checklist
The order has clear inputs when all six questions are answered
Use this checklist to reduce changes after ordering. Each item maps to a configuration, region, billing, or access field on the delivery board.
Specify whether the node is for daily Xcode development, automated builds, multi-version testing, AI experiments, or audio/video batch processing, and define the first verification task.
Model Selected
Choose between SDKMac M4 and SDKMac M4 Pro based on memory pressure, storage capacity, and concurrent workloads.
Node Selected
Choose from Singapore, Japan (Tokyo), South Korea (Seoul), or Hong Kong, and test connectivity based on your team’s location and dependency services.
Billing Cycle Confirmed
Confirm whether you will use a daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly cycle. Do not mix prices from different cycles in the same budget comparison.
Storage Requirements Verified
Confirm that the base storage is sufficient, and include caches, build artifacts, models, media, and temporary files in capacity planning.
Access Network Ready
Confirm that the remote desktop or SSH client, local network policy, source restrictions, and credential management process are ready.
Create an Order
Choose One of Two Models, Then Register a Node Region
The catalog offers only two configurations, and both models are available in all four regions. Actual availability is determined by the console in real time; there is no need to guess between disabled options.
SDKMac M4
M4 · 16GB · 256GB SSD
Baseline Builds
Suitable for daily Xcode development, light automation, small repository validation, and single-stream tasks. Before choosing, confirm that 16GB of memory and 256GB of local storage cover your dependencies, caches, and artifacts.
Suitable for high-concurrency builds, large repositories, multi-task testing, memory-intensive experiments, and large media workloads. The 2TB SSD accommodates larger caches and working sets.
Both Configurations Available in All 4 Node Regions
Choose based on your team’s location, dependency services, target market, and actual connectivity tests rather than unverified fixed-latency assumptions.
SGSingapore
Southeast Asia workflows
AvailableJPJapan (Tokyo)
Japan market validation
AvailableKRSouth Korea (Seoul)
South Korea regional collaboration
AvailableHKHong Kong
Cross-region R&D collaboration
Available
Confirm Billing
Review the Base Plan, Cycle, Node, and Add-ons Line by Line
The billed amount consists of the selected model, rental cycle, node, and add-ons. Save the team’s confirmation before submitting to avoid leaving temporary storage needs or linked devices out of the order.
Billing Review Example
Order Composition Record
USD
Base Plan
SDKMac M4 or SDKMac M4 Pro
Rental Cycle
Choose one: daily, weekly, monthly, or quarterly
Node Region
Singapore, Japan (Tokyo), South Korea (Seoul), or Hong Kong
Storage Expansion
Choose based on workload capacity; not included by default
Device Linking
Register per device when Thunderbolt 5 linking is required
Advance by Status; Do Not Reconfigure During Node Preparation
After submitting an order, use the console to check order confirmation, node preparation, credential generation, and accessible status. Each status calls for a different action; resubmitting configuration will not move the physical node forward faster.
01
Order Confirmation
Verify that the model, memory, storage, node, billing cycle, and add-ons match the submitted order. If any field differs, submit an order support request before continuing to prepare the development environment.
Action: Verify Only
02
Node Preparation
While the physical node is being registered and prepared, organize your client, repository access, and environment checklist. Do not recreate the same configuration or repeatedly change connection parameters.
Action: Prepare the Local Side
03
Credential Generation
Read the host details and initial credentials, then give them to the designated custodian for storage. Do not copy unsanitized credentials into tickets, public repositories, or public team channels.
Action: Receive Securely
04
Accessible
Start the first connection only after the status is complete. Verify the host, region, and configuration first, then update access security settings, and finally install or verify the project toolchain.
Verify Your Identity and Host Before Entering the Project Environment
The goal of the first connection is not to run the full pipeline immediately. First confirm that you connected to the correct physical node and complete the access security settings required by your team.
1
Verify Host Details
Compare the host identifier, node region, and order identifier shown in the console with your internal records. Do not identify the connection solely by the desktop appearance.
2
Choose a Connection Method
Use remote desktop when you need a graphical interface; use SSH for automation, scripts, and file operations. Restrict sources and assign access according to your team policy.
3
Update Access Security Settings
After the first login, promptly update the initial credentials and confirm least privilege, ownership, revocation procedures for personnel changes, and the process for recording abnormal access.
4
Run a Minimal Connectivity Test
Verify keyboard input, clipboard policy, SSH sessions, repository access, and dependency download paths before installing large tools or syncing assets.
Prepare the Development Environment
Build a Reproducible Toolchain in a Fixed Order
Record the system baseline first, then install project dependencies. A clear sequence helps the team determine whether an issue comes from the node, toolchain, project configuration, or an external dependency.
01
Confirm the macOS Version
Record the system version and available space, check the project minimum requirements and team upgrade policy, and avoid broad system changes before verification.
02
Verify Xcode and Command-Line Tools
Confirm the Xcode major version, command-line tools path, SDK, and build target. When multiple projects share a node, define clear invocation rules for each toolchain.
03
Prepare Signing Materials
Transfer and store signing materials according to your team’s access policy, restrict access to authorized personnel, and never place sensitive content in scripts, build logs, or repositories.
04
Clone the Project Repository
Verify repository access, submodules, private dependencies, and large-file policies. Run the initial clone test with read-only or least-privilege access before enabling writes.
05
Plan Cache Paths
Separate dependency caches, DerivedData, test artifacts, archives, and temporary files. Record cleanup conditions to prevent unbounded cache growth.
Run Your First Verification Task
Run a Small Task First to Establish a Real Baseline
Do not make the first run a full release pipeline. Choose a small build or test with clear dependencies, predictable duration, and easy-to-interpret results to verify the toolchain, disk, and network dependencies first.
Fixed commit, fixed dependencies, clearly defined target
Run Duration
Record the start and end; do not extrapolate performance from a single run
Disk Changes
Record increases in caches, artifacts, and temporary files
Network Dependencies
Mark wait points for repositories, package sources, and external services
Exit Result
Save the successful result or a redacted error summary
Once the baseline task is stable, gradually increase repository size, test scope, or concurrency. Change only one primary variable at a time so results remain comparable.
Post-Delivery Review
Confirm the Node Matches the Order Before Ongoing Use
After completing the first task, use the order record to verify node ownership, configuration, region, storage, and access method. If you find a discrepancy, preserve the current evidence first rather than overwriting it with a broad reinstallation.
Node Ownership and Configuration
Verify the order identifier, SDKMac M4 or SDKMac M4 Pro, memory, and base storage, and ensure records from another node have not been mixed into the current delivery.
Check Result: Match or Record the Difference
Region and Connection Method
Confirm that the node is in the selected Singapore, Japan (Tokyo), South Korea (Seoul), or Hong Kong region, and record the remote desktop or SSH path actually used by the team.
Check Result: Region and Path Registered
Storage and Add-ons
Verify the base storage, SSD expansions, and Thunderbolt 5 linking options, and check that the system-detected result matches the order details.
Check Result: Capacity and Add-ons Confirmed
First Task and Support Materials
Save the task inputs, duration, disk changes, network dependencies, and redacted logs. For issues, submit a support request with the order identifier, region, time, reproduction steps, and expected result.
Check Result: Baseline and Evidence Saved
With Your Configuration Checklist Ready, Create a Physical Mac Node Order
Choose the model, region, and billing cycle first, then read the delivery status in the console. The node is a dedicated physical machine, not a virtual machine, and runs continuously 365 days a year.