Environment

• OpenClaw version: 2026.2.19 (CLI 2026.2.19-2)
• macOS: 26.3.0 (Darwin 25.3.0, arm64)
• Hardware: Mac mini M4
• Audio input: Apple EarPods (USB-C), recognized as default input device
• Audio output: Same EarPods (USB-C)

Bug Description

The macOS desktop app crashes immediately on launch. The crash occurs in TalkModeRuntime.startRecognition() when it tries to install an audio tap via AVAudioEngine::InstallTapOnNode.

The crash persists even though:

• macOS correctly identifies the USB EarPods as the default input device
• system_profiler SPAudioDataType shows the device at 44100 Hz, 1 input channel
• Changing the sample rate to 48000 Hz in Audio MIDI Setup allows the app to launch (sometimes), but TTS audio playback is silent

Crash Trace (key frames)

Exception Type: EXC_CRASH (SIGABRT)
Thread: TalkModeRuntime.startRecognition()
  → AVAudioEngineImpl::InstallTapOnNode(...)
  → -[AVAudioNode installTapOnBus:bufferSize:format:block:]
  → TalkModeRuntime.start()
  → TalkModeController.setEnabled(_:)
  → AppState.init(preview:)

Additional Notes

• The Mac mini has no built-in microphone — USB audio is the only input option
• When the app does launch (after sample rate change), Talk Mode hears and processes speech but produces no audible voice response
• macOS say command and afplay work fine through the same EarPods
• Same silent TTS issue observed in Claude Cowork app, suggesting a broader macOS audio routing issue with streaming TTS

Steps to Reproduce

1. Connect USB-C EarPods to Mac mini M4
2. Set EarPods as default input and output
3. Launch OpenClaw macOS app
4. App crashes immediately

Workaround (partial)

Changing EarPods Microphone sample rate to 48000 Hz in Audio MIDI Setup prevents the crash, but TTS playback remains silent.

Crash Report

Full crash report available: ~/Library/Logs/DiagnosticReports/OpenClaw-2026-02-21-054136.ips