diff --git a/scripts/restart-mac.sh b/scripts/restart-mac.sh
index d75aac24d..8187a9148 100755
--- a/scripts/restart-mac.sh
+++ b/scripts/restart-mac.sh
@@ -206,6 +206,31 @@ if [[ "$NO_SIGN" -ne 1 && -f "${LAUNCHAGENT_DISABLE_MARKER}" ]]; then
   run_step "clear launchagent disable marker" /bin/rm -f "${LAUNCHAGENT_DISABLE_MARKER}"
 fi
 
+# When unsigned, ensure the gateway LaunchAgent targets the repo CLI (before the app launches).
+# This reduces noisy "could not connect" errors during app startup.
+if [ "$NO_SIGN" -eq 1 ]; then
+  run_step "install gateway launch agent (unsigned)" bash -lc "cd '${ROOT_DIR}' && node dist/entry.js daemon install --force --runtime node"
+  run_step "restart gateway daemon (unsigned)" bash -lc "cd '${ROOT_DIR}' && node dist/entry.js daemon restart"
+  if [[ "${GATEWAY_WAIT_SECONDS}" -gt 0 ]]; then
+    run_step "wait for gateway (unsigned)" sleep "${GATEWAY_WAIT_SECONDS}"
+  fi
+  GATEWAY_PORT="$(
+    node -e '
+      const fs = require("node:fs");
+      const path = require("node:path");
+      try {
+        const raw = fs.readFileSync(path.join(process.env.HOME, ".clawdbot", "clawdbot.json"), "utf8");
+        const cfg = JSON.parse(raw);
+        const port = cfg && cfg.gateway && typeof cfg.gateway.port === "number" ? cfg.gateway.port : 18789;
+        process.stdout.write(String(port));
+      } catch {
+        process.stdout.write("18789");
+      }
+    '
+  )"
+  run_step "verify gateway port ${GATEWAY_PORT} (unsigned)" bash -lc "lsof -iTCP:${GATEWAY_PORT} -sTCP:LISTEN | head -n 5 || true"
+fi
+
 # 4) Launch the installed app in the foreground so the menu bar extra appears.
 # LaunchServices can inherit a huge environment from this shell (secrets, prompt vars, etc.).
 # That can cause launchd spawn failures and is undesirable for a GUI app anyway.
@@ -226,13 +251,6 @@ else
   fail "App exited immediately. Check ${LOG_PATH} or Console.app (User Reports)."
 fi
 
-# When unsigned, ensure the gateway LaunchAgent targets the repo CLI (after the app launches).
 if [ "$NO_SIGN" -eq 1 ]; then
-  run_step "install gateway launch agent (unsigned)" bash -lc "cd '${ROOT_DIR}' && node dist/entry.js daemon install --force --runtime node"
-  run_step "restart gateway daemon (unsigned)" bash -lc "cd '${ROOT_DIR}' && node dist/entry.js daemon restart"
-  if [[ "${GATEWAY_WAIT_SECONDS}" -gt 0 ]]; then
-    run_step "wait for gateway (unsigned)" sleep "${GATEWAY_WAIT_SECONDS}"
-  fi
-  run_step "verify gateway port 18789 (unsigned)" bash -lc "lsof -iTCP:18789 -sTCP:LISTEN | head -n 5 || true"
   run_step "show gateway launch agent args (unsigned)" bash -lc "/usr/bin/plutil -p '${HOME}/Library/LaunchAgents/com.clawdbot.gateway.plist' | head -n 40 || true"
 fi