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Astropad Workbench

Astropad Workbench

Remote desktop for AI agents running on headless Macs

Overview

What it is

Running AI agents on a headless Mac mini? You still need to see what's happening. Check logs, restart stuck tasks, monitor outputs. Workbench is remote desktop built for the AI era, so you can babysit your agents from anywhere, without being tethered to your desk. Apple-native, with voice dictation and low-latency streaming powered by LIQUID, our proprietary tech. Built by ex-Apple engineers.

Intent

I need it when

Access and control a Mac desktop remotely with minimal setup and high responsiveness

Workbench provides fast, perceptually lossless remote desktop access with ultra-low latency powered by proprietary LIQUID technology. It connects instantly via global relay network without port forwarding or complex network configuration, supporting Retina displays and native Mac/iOS apps.

Control a Mac using voice commands and natural input methods from iPad or iPhone

Workbench supports voice dictation to trigger commands, Apple Pencil for precise cursor control, familiar gestures for navigation, and full keyboard input. Users can interact with their Mac using the input methods they already rely on, with speech-to-text converting spoken prompts directly to the Mac.

Manage multiple Macs and switch between them seamlessly

Workbench includes a device catalog that lets users view, manage, and easily swap between all devices connected to their account, enabling efficient multi-device workflows without manual reconnection.

Monitor and control AI agents running on a headless Mac mini from anywhere

Workbench enables real-time monitoring of AI agent jobs, log review, and remote troubleshooting without being tethered to a desk. Users can spot issues, make changes, and restart automated jobs from iPhone or iPad, keeping tabs on background processes.

Ensure secure remote access with end-to-end encryption and privacy

Workbench uses end-to-end AES-256 encryption so sessions remain completely private. No one, including Astropad, can see the user's screen, keyboard, mouse, or activity. Built on modern security best practices to protect work and data.

Drop

Not a fit when

  • User needs to control Windows machines; Workbench supports only Mac, iPad, and iPhone
  • User requires legacy OS support; Workbench requires macOS 15+, iOS 26+, iPadOS 26+
  • User needs traditional IT support remote desktop features; Workbench is optimized for AI agent monitoring and creative workflows, not enterprise IT support
  • User operates on unreliable or very low-bandwidth networks; while LIQUID adapts, it requires stable wireless or wired connection for best performance
  • User needs multi-user simultaneous access or real-time collaboration on the same session; Workbench is single-user remote access only
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Pricing

Freemium with paid unlimited tier. Free tier: 20 minutes per day. Paid tier: $10/month or $50/year for unlimited access. View pricing