Apple subsidiary Claris tests Harbor app for local AI on Macs
The early-access software supports a single Mac or a cluster connected through Thunderbolt 5, but it is not publicly available.
Claris, an Apple subsidiary, is testing Harbor, an app designed to let Macs with Apple silicon run AI models locally as private servers. The software remains in early access rather than general distribution, and its App Store listing has been removed.
Harbor can operate on one Mac or combine the unified memory of several machines linked through Thunderbolt 5. Claris says that pooling those resources allows users to run models too large for an individual computer or handle more requests simultaneously. It also says data stays on users’ hardware without reaching the cloud.
The app detects connected computers automatically and provides tools to find, download and load open-weight models. Claris describes a setup process that requires neither manual configuration nor command-line use. Apple added support for RDMA over Thunderbolt 5 in macOS Tahoe 26.2, speeding up clustering.
How Apple intends to market Harbor, and whether it will charge for the app, remain unclear. Claris is known for FileMaker, its business-oriented database platform. Harbor’s registration page requests a company name, suggesting a possible business focus.
