Network and access

MangoTart is a headless computer: it has no built-in screen and is managed from a browser on another phone or computer. First setup uses Ethernet so the device can join your network without a captive portal, temporary hotspot, Bluetooth flow, or keyboard.

Network requirements

You need:

• a router or network that can assign addresses with DHCP;
• an available Ethernet port for first setup;
• internet access for model providers, chat platforms, websites, updates, connected tools, and optional cloud backup; and
• a phone or computer on the same local network to open the management console.

A normal home or small-office network is the simplest environment. Guest networks, client isolation, separate VLANs, enterprise authentication, and some mesh configurations can prevent devices on the same premises from seeing each other.

First connection

1. Connect the included Ethernet cable between MangoTart and your router.
2. Connect the official power supply.
3. Wait about one minute for the device and local services to start.
4. On a phone or computer connected to the same LAN, open the hostname printed on the label, such as http://mango-abc-def.local.

The hostname is an mDNS/.local address. It works only from a device that can reach the same local network; it is not a public website.

If the .local address does not open

Use the Find your MangoTart page:

1. Enter the MT-XXXXXXXX device code printed on the device.
2. The page shows the most recently reported local address and hostname.
3. Open that link while your phone or computer is on the same LAN.

The returned IP is private to your network. It will not become reachable from the public internet just because the find page displays it.

If neither link works, check these common causes:

• Your phone is using mobile data instead of the same Wi-Fi/LAN.
• The Ethernet cable is connected to an isolated, guest, or WAN-only port.
• The router has AP/client isolation enabled.
• Your phone and MangoTart are on different VLANs or subnets that cannot talk to each other.
• A VPN, private-relay feature, firewall, or managed-network policy is intercepting local traffic.
• The router has not yet assigned an address; wait another minute and retry.

Switch to Wi-Fi after onboarding

Ethernet is the required first path. After setup:

1. Open WiFi in the local management console.
2. Set the wireless region if prompted; the radio may not show networks until the correct region is selected.
3. Scan, select your network, and enter its password.
4. Confirm that Wi-Fi shows as connected.
5. Disconnect Ethernet only after the new connection works.

The hostname normally remains the same, but the private IP address may change. Use the .local hostname or the find page again instead of bookmarking an old IP.

Open networks are supported by the UI but are not recommended for a device holding model credentials, browser sessions, and personal agent state.

Using Mac Internet Sharing

When there is no router, a Mac can share its internet connection over Ethernet. The USB-C-to-Ethernet adapter belongs on the Mac side; MangoTart uses its built-in Ethernet port. Enable Internet Sharing, connect the cable, and open the .local hostname from the Mac.

Hotel and public networks often use captive portals or client isolation and are not a reliable environment for unattended agent operation.

Access from outside your home

The management console is currently LAN-only. It is not exposed on a public IP, and owner remote-console access through Tailscale is not currently a product feature.

This does not stop the agent from working while you are away:

• configured messaging platforms can deliver conversations over the internet;
• schedules can continue running; and
• browser and tool tasks can continue if their services are available.

You simply cannot open the local management pages until you are back on the LAN. If a task pauses for approval, provider login, or device maintenance, it may wait until you return.

Network security

• Keep the management PIN enabled, especially on a shared network.
• Do not port-forward the management console from your router.
• Prefer a trusted private LAN over guest or public Wi-Fi.
• Use command approval for agent terminal actions.
• Remember that authorized MangoTart support has a separate administrative maintenance path; see Privacy, security, and permissions.

When the device goes offline

An agent task needs power, a working LAN, internet access, a reachable model provider, and any connected destination service. If one disappears, the task can fail or wait. Messaging platforms may hold inbound messages briefly, but MangoTart does not guarantee uninterrupted delivery during an outage.

For a step-by-step recovery checklist, see Troubleshooting.