Set Up Workstation on Mac

The Mac steps for setting up a worker's Workstation. Open the setup link once in the worker's browser — no password, no passkey, no sign-in after that.

Why it matters

The Workstation is the worker's private FabWise app — their schedule, jobs, performance, and messages from supervisors. On a Mac it runs in the browser, and access is device-bound: an admin generates a single-use setup link, you open it once in the browser on the worker's Mac, and from then on that browser opens straight into their Workstation. No password, no sign-in step.

Setup takes about 2 minutes.

What you need

The worker added in FabWise with Kiosk access turned on (their profile → Devices tab). Workstation requires the Professional plan.
The Mac the worker will use, with Safari, Chrome, or Edge.
The setup link from the admin — it's single-use and expires 24 hours after it's generated.

Step 1. Generate the setup link

In the admin console, open the worker's profile → Devices tab.
Under Workstation, click Set up tablet. A QR code appears with a copyable link below it (good for 24 hours, single use).
A Mac can't easily scan a QR code — click Copy and send the link to the worker, or open it yourself on their Mac. Use a private channel: anyone who opens the link can set up a device as that worker.

Step 2. Open the link on the Mac

Open the link in the browser the worker will use every day (Safari, Chrome, or Edge — pick one and stick with it; the setup lives in that browser).
A confirm screen appears showing the worker's name. Check it's the right person. If not, stop — the link was meant for someone else.
Click Set up this tablet (the button says "tablet" — it works the same on a Mac). The browser is now bound to that worker and opens straight to their dashboard — no sign-in.

Step 3. Bookmark Workstation

So the worker can open it like an app:

Go to https://workstation.fabwise.app.
In Safari: Bookmarks menu → Add Bookmark, save to Favorites. For a dock icon: File menu → Add to Dock.
In Chrome: Bookmarks menu → Bookmark this tab. For a dock icon: three-dot menu → Save and share → Create shortcut, check "Open as window."
In Edge: Favorites menu → Add this page. For a dock icon: three-dot menu → Apps → Install this site as an app.

Day-to-day use

Open the bookmark or dock icon. That's it — Workstation opens as the worker, every time. No password, no email, no codes. The Mac's own login (Touch ID, password) is all the protection in front of it, so the worker should lock their Mac as usual.

Troubleshooting

"Invalid or expired enrollment link"

The link is single-use and expires after 24 hours. Generate a fresh one: worker's profile → Devices tab → Set up tablet.

Workstation asks for setup again

The binding lives in the browser that opened the setup link. It stops working if:

The worker opens Workstation in a different browser than the one set up. Use the original browser, or run setup again in the new one.
The worker cleared browsing data in that browser. Run setup again.
The device was revoked, or a new device was set up for the worker (each worker has one active device — new setup cuts off the old one). Generate a new link if this Mac should be the active device.

"This user does not track time"

Workstation is for workers who track time. Turn on Kiosk access on the worker's Devices tab first, then generate the setup link.

The worker wants Workstation on their Mac AND their phone

Workstation is one device per worker, by design. Setting up the phone cuts off the Mac, and vice versa. Pick the device they'll use most; an admin can re-run setup on the other device any time.

Removing access

Worker's profile → Devices tab → find the device in the Workstation card → Revoke. (Also listed under Settings → Devices → Workstations.) The Mac stops working for Workstation immediately.

Where to find it

Workstation URL: https://workstation.fabwise.app
Where setup links are generated: the worker's Devices tab in the admin console
Setup link validity: 24 hours, single use

[Set Up a Worker's Tablet](set-up-a-tablet.md)
[Your First Day on Workstation](your-first-sign-in.md)