diff --git a/.github/workflows/emu-deps-macos.yml b/.github/workflows/emu-deps-macos.yml
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..44501742
--- /dev/null
+++ b/.github/workflows/emu-deps-macos.yml
@@ -0,0 +1,62 @@
+name: Emu third-party dependencies (macos)
+
+on:
+  workflow_call:
+    # needed since it allows this to become a reusable workflow
+  workflow_dispatch:
+    # allows manual trigger
+
+permissions:
+  contents: write
+
+env:
+  DEPS_CACHE_KEY: emu-deps-macos
+  DEPS_CACHE_DIR: build/deps/macos
+
+  PACKAGE_BASE_DIR: "build/package/macos"
+  THIRD_PARTY_BASE_DIR: 'third-party'
+  
+jobs:
+  deps-build:
+    runs-on: macos-13
+    if: ${{ !cancelled() }}
+
+    steps:
+    - name: Lookup cache for deps
+      id: emu-deps-cache-step
+      uses: actions/cache@v4
+      with:
+        key: ${{ env.DEPS_CACHE_KEY }}
+        path: ${{ env.DEPS_CACHE_DIR }}
+
+    # we need branch because it has build scripts
+    - name: Checkout branch
+      if: steps.emu-deps-cache-step.outputs.cache-hit != 'true'
+      uses: actions/checkout@v4
+
+    - name: Clone third-party deps (deps/macos)
+      if: steps.emu-deps-cache-step.outputs.cache-hit != 'true'
+      uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      with:
+        ref: 'third-party/deps/macos'
+        path: "${{env.THIRD_PARTY_BASE_DIR}}/deps/macos"
+
+    - name: Clone third-party deps (deps/common)
+      if: steps.emu-deps-cache-step.outputs.cache-hit != 'true'
+      uses: actions/checkout@v4
+      with:
+        ref: 'third-party/deps/common'
+        path: "${{env.THIRD_PARTY_BASE_DIR}}/deps/common"
+
+### fix folder permissions! not sure why this fails
+    # nested subdirs "build/macos/release" cause permission problems
+    - name: Give all permissions to repo folder
+      if: steps.emu-deps-cache-step.outputs.cache-hit != 'true'
+      shell: bash
+      working-directory: ${{ github.workspace }}
+      run:  sudo chmod -R 777 "${{ github.workspace }}"
+
+    - name: Build deps
+      if: steps.emu-deps-cache-step.outputs.cache-hit != 'true'
+      shell: bash
+      run: sudo chmod 777 build_macos_deps.sh && ./build_macos_deps.sh -verbose
diff --git a/build_macos_deps.sh b/build_macos_deps.sh
new file mode 100644
index 00000000..703b2f76
--- /dev/null
+++ b/build_macos_deps.sh
@@ -0,0 +1,363 @@
+#!/usr/bin/env bash
+
+
+############## helpful commands ##############
+### to read header of .elf file
+#readelf -h install32/lib/libcurl.a
+
+### list all options availble in a CMAKE project, everything prefixed with CMAKE_ are specific to CMAKE system
+#cmake -LAH
+
+### list all exports in a shared lib
+# https://linux.die.net/man/1/nm
+#nm -D --defined-only libsteam.so | grep " T "
+
+# common stuff
+script_dir=$( cd -- "$( dirname -- "${0}" )" &> /dev/null && pwd )
+deps_dir="$script_dir/build/deps/macos"
+third_party_dir="$script_dir/third-party"
+third_party_deps_dir="$third_party_dir/deps/macos"
+third_party_common_dir="$third_party_dir/deps/common"
+mycmake="$third_party_deps_dir/cmake/bin/cmake"
+
+deps_archives=(
+  "libssq/libssq.tar.gz"
+  "zlib/zlib.tar.gz"
+  "curl/curl.tar.gz"
+  "protobuf/protobuf.tar.gz"
+  "mbedtls/mbedtls.tar.gz"
+  "ingame_overlay/ingame_overlay.tar.gz"
+)
+
+# < 0: deduce, > 1: force
+PARALLEL_THREADS_OVERRIDE=-1
+VERBOSITY=''
+INSTALL_PACKAGES=1
+INSTALL_PACKAGES_ONLY=0
+
+for (( i=1; i<=$#; i++ )); do
+  var="${!i}"
+  if [[ "$var" = "-j" ]]; then
+    i=$((i+1))
+    PARALLEL_THREADS_OVERRIDE="${!i}"
+    [[ "$PARALLEL_THREADS_OVERRIDE" =~ ^[0-9]+$ ]] || {
+      echo "[X] Invalid arg after -j, expected a number" >&2;
+      exit 1;
+    }
+    #echo "[?] Overriding parralel build jobs count with $PARALLEL_THREADS_OVERRIDE"
+  elif [[ "$var" = "-verbose" ]]; then
+    VERBOSITY='-v'
+  elif [[ "$var" = "-packages_skip" ]]; then
+    INSTALL_PACKAGES=0
+  elif [[ "$var" = "-packages_only" ]]; then
+    INSTALL_PACKAGES_ONLY=1
+  else
+    echo "[X] Invalid arg: $var" >&2
+    exit 1
+  fi
+done
+
+
+last_code=0
+
+
+############## required packages ##############
+echo // installing required packages
+
+all_packages=(
+  # "binutils" # (optional) contains the tool 'readelf' mainly, and other usefull binary stuff
+  "coreutils" # echo, printf, etc...
+  "gcc@14"
+  "llvm@14"
+  # "libglade" # TODO needed ?
+  # "libglademm" # TODO needed ?
+)
+
+if [[ "$INSTALL_PACKAGES" -ne 0 ]]; then
+  brew update
+  last_code=$((last_code + $?))
+
+  for dep in "${all_packages[@]}"; do
+    brew install "$dep"
+    last_code=$((last_code + $?))
+  done
+
+  # exit early if we should install packages only, used by CI mainly
+  [[ "$INSTALL_PACKAGES_ONLY" -ne 0 ]] && exit $last_code
+  
+  export PATH="/usr/local/bin:$PATH"
+  export PATH="/usr/local/opt/llvm@14/bin:$PATH"
+  
+  # TODO this causes problems with mbedtls
+  brew uninstall binutils
+
+else
+  echo "Package installation skipped, please be sure the follow packages correspond to your distro is installed."
+  echo "${all_packages[*]}"
+fi
+
+echo; echo;
+
+
+[[ -f "$mycmake" ]] || {
+  echo "[X] Couldn't find cmake" >&2;
+  exit 1;
+}
+
+# use 70%
+build_threads="$(( $(getconf _NPROCESSORS_ONLN 2>/dev/null || echo 0) * 70 / 100 ))"
+[[ $PARALLEL_THREADS_OVERRIDE -gt 0 ]] && build_threads="$PARALLEL_THREADS_OVERRIDE"
+[[ $build_threads -lt 1 ]] && build_threads=1
+
+
+############## common CMAKE args ##############
+# https://cmake.org/cmake/help/latest/variable/CMAKE_LANG_FLAGS_CONFIG.html#variable:CMAKE_%3CLANG%3E_FLAGS_%3CCONFIG%3E
+cmake_common_args='-G "Unix Makefiles" -S .'
+cmake_common_defs="-DCMAKE_BUILD_TYPE=Release -DCMAKE_C_STANDARD_REQUIRED=ON -DCMAKE_CXX_STANDARD_REQUIRED=ON -DCMAKE_C_STANDARD=17 -DCMAKE_CXX_STANDARD=17 -DCMAKE_POSITION_INDEPENDENT_CODE=True -DBUILD_SHARED_LIBS=OFF"
+recreate_64="rm -f -r build64/ && rm -f -r install64/ && mkdir build64/ && mkdir install64/"
+cmake_gen64="'$mycmake' $cmake_common_args -B build64 -DCMAKE_TOOLCHAIN_FILE=$deps_dir/64-bit-toolchain.cmake -DCMAKE_INSTALL_PREFIX=install64 $cmake_common_defs"
+cmake_build64="'$mycmake' --build build64 --config Release --parallel $build_threads $VERBOSITY"
+clean_gen64="[[ -d build64 ]] && rm -f -r build64/"
+
+
+echo ===========================
+echo Tools will be installed in: "$deps_dir"
+echo Building with $build_threads threads
+echo ===========================
+echo // Recreating dir...
+rm -r -f "$deps_dir"
+sleep 1
+mkdir -p "$deps_dir" || {
+  echo "Couldn't create dir \"$deps_dir\"" >&2;
+  exit 1;
+}
+
+echo; echo 
+
+
+############## copy CMAKE toolchains to the home directory
+echo // creating CMAKE toolchains in "$deps_dir"
+cat > "$deps_dir/64-bit-toolchain.cmake" << EOL
+# cmake -G "xx" ... -DCMAKE_TOOLCHAIN_FILE=/.../64bit.toolchain
+# https://github.com/google/boringssl/blob/master/util/32-bit-toolchain.cmake
+# https://cmake.org/cmake/help/book/mastering-cmake/chapter/Cross%20Compiling%20With%20CMake.html#toolchain-files
+# https://cmake.org/cmake/help/book/mastering-cmake/chapter/Cross%20Compiling%20With%20CMake.html#cross-compiling-for-a-microcontroller
+# the name of the target operating system
+set(CMAKE_SYSTEM_NAME Darwin)
+
+# which compilers to use for C and C++
+set(CMAKE_C_COMPILER   clang)
+set(CMAKE_CXX_COMPILER clang++)
+EOL
+
+echo; echo;
+
+chmod 777 "$mycmake"
+
+
+# the artificial delays "sleep 3" are here because on Windows WSL the
+# explorer or search indexer keeps a handle open and causes an error here
+echo // extracting archives
+dotglob_state="$( shopt -p dotglob )"
+for f in "${deps_archives[@]}"; do
+  src_arch="$third_party_common_dir/$f"
+  [[ -f "$src_arch" ]] || {
+    echo "[X] archive '"$src_arch"' not found";
+    exit 1;
+  }
+
+  target_dir="$deps_dir/$( dirname "$f" )"
+  mkdir -p "$target_dir"
+
+  echo   - extracting archive "'$f'" into "'$target_dir'"
+  tar -zxf "$src_arch" -C "$target_dir"
+  sleep 2
+
+  echo   - flattening dir "'$target_dir'" by moving everything in a subdir outside
+  shopt -s dotglob
+  for i in {1..10}; do
+    mv "$target_dir"/*/** "$target_dir/" && { break; } || { sleep 1; }
+  done
+  eval $dotglob_state
+  sleep 2
+
+  chmod -R 777 "$target_dir"
+  sleep 1
+
+  echo;
+done
+
+
+############## build ssq ##############
+echo // building ssq lib
+pushd "$deps_dir/libssq"
+
+eval $recreate_64
+eval $cmake_gen64
+last_code=$((last_code + $?))
+eval $cmake_build64
+last_code=$((last_code + $?))
+
+popd
+echo; echo;
+
+
+############## build zlib ##############
+echo // building zlib lib
+pushd "$deps_dir/zlib"
+
+eval $recreate_64
+eval $cmake_gen64
+last_code=$((last_code + $?))
+eval $cmake_build64 --target install
+last_code=$((last_code + $?))
+eval $clean_gen64
+
+popd
+echo; echo;
+
+
+############## zlib is painful ##############
+# lib curl uses the default search paths, even when ZLIB_INCLUDE_DIR and ZLIB_LIBRARY_RELEASE are defined
+# check thir CMakeLists.txt line #573
+#     optional_dependency(ZLIB)
+#     if(ZLIB_FOUND)
+#       set(HAVE_LIBZ ON)
+#       set(USE_ZLIB ON)
+#     
+#       # Depend on ZLIB via imported targets if supported by the running
+#       # version of CMake.  This allows our dependents to get our dependencies
+#       # transitively.
+#       if(NOT CMAKE_VERSION VERSION_LESS 3.4)
+#         list(APPEND CURL_LIBS ZLIB::ZLIB)    <<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<<< evil
+#       else()
+#         list(APPEND CURL_LIBS ${ZLIB_LIBRARIES})
+#         include_directories(${ZLIB_INCLUDE_DIRS})
+#       endif()
+#       list(APPEND CMAKE_REQUIRED_INCLUDES ${ZLIB_INCLUDE_DIRS})
+#     endif()
+# we have to set the ZLIB_ROOT so that it is prepended to the search list
+# we have to set ZLIB_LIBRARY NOT ZLIB_LIBRARY_RELEASE in order to override the FindZlib module
+# we also should set ZLIB_USE_STATIC_LIBS since we want to force static builds
+# https://github.com/Kitware/CMake/blob/a6853135f569f0b040a34374a15a8361bb73901b/Modules/FindZLIB.cmake#L98C4-L98C13
+wild_zlib_64=(
+  "-DZLIB_USE_STATIC_LIBS=ON"
+  "-DZLIB_ROOT='$deps_dir/zlib/install64'"
+  "-DZLIB_INCLUDE_DIR='$deps_dir/zlib/install64/include'"
+  "-DZLIB_LIBRARY='$deps_dir/zlib/install64/lib/libz.a'"
+)
+
+
+############## build curl ##############
+echo // building curl lib
+pushd "$deps_dir/curl"
+
+curl_common_defs="-DBUILD_CURL_EXE=OFF -DBUILD_SHARED_LIBS=OFF -DBUILD_STATIC_CURL=OFF -DBUILD_STATIC_LIBS=ON -DCURL_USE_OPENSSL=OFF -DCURL_ZLIB=ON -DCURL_USE_LIBSSH2=OFF -DCURL_USE_LIBPSL=OFF -DUSE_LIBIDN2=OFF -DCURL_DISABLE_LDAP=ON"
+
+eval $recreate_64
+eval $cmake_gen64 $curl_common_defs "${wild_zlib_64[@]}" -DCMAKE_SHARED_LINKER_FLAGS_INIT="'$deps_dir/zlib/install64/lib/libz.a'" -DCMAKE_MODULE_LINKER_FLAGS_INIT="'$deps_dir/zlib/install64/lib/libz.a'" -DCMAKE_EXE_LINKER_FLAGS_INIT="'$deps_dir/zlib/install64/lib/libz.a'"
+last_code=$((last_code + $?))
+eval $cmake_build64 --target install
+last_code=$((last_code + $?))
+eval $clean_gen64
+
+popd
+echo; echo;
+
+
+############## build protobuf ##############
+echo // building protobuf lib
+pushd "$deps_dir/protobuf"
+
+proto_common_defs="-Dprotobuf_BUILD_TESTS=OFF -Dprotobuf_BUILD_SHARED_LIBS=OFF -Dprotobuf_WITH_ZLIB=ON"
+
+eval $recreate_64
+eval $cmake_gen64 $proto_common_defs "${wild_zlib_64[@]}" -DCMAKE_SHARED_LINKER_FLAGS_INIT="'$deps_dir/zlib/install64/lib/libz.a'" -DCMAKE_MODULE_LINKER_FLAGS_INIT="'$deps_dir/zlib/install64/lib/libz.a'" -DCMAKE_EXE_LINKER_FLAGS_INIT="'$deps_dir/zlib/install64/lib/libz.a'"
+last_code=$((last_code + $?))
+eval $cmake_build64 --target install
+last_code=$((last_code + $?))
+eval $clean_gen64
+
+popd
+echo; echo;
+
+
+############## build mbedtls ##############
+echo // building mbedtls lib
+pushd "$deps_dir/mbedtls"
+
+# AES-NI on mbedtls v3.5.x:
+# https://github.com/Mbed-TLS/mbedtls/issues/8400
+# https://github.com/Mbed-TLS/mbedtls/issues/8334
+# clang/gcc compiler flags ref:
+# https://gcc.gnu.org/onlinedocs/gcc/x86-Options.html#index-mmmx
+# instruction set details
+# https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CLMUL_instruction_set
+# https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AES_instruction_set
+# https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SSE2
+
+mbedtls_common_defs="-DUSE_STATIC_MBEDTLS_LIBRARY=ON -DUSE_SHARED_MBEDTLS_LIBRARY=OFF -DENABLE_TESTING=OFF -DENABLE_PROGRAMS=OFF -DLINK_WITH_PTHREAD=ON"
+
+eval $recreate_64
+eval $cmake_gen64 $mbedtls_common_defs
+last_code=$((last_code + $?))
+eval $cmake_build64 --target install
+last_code=$((last_code + $?))
+eval $clean_gen64
+
+popd
+echo; echo;
+
+
+############## build ingame_overlay ##############
+echo // building ingame_overlay lib
+pushd "$deps_dir/ingame_overlay"
+
+_imgui_cfg_file="$(pwd)/imconfig.imcfg"
+cat > "$_imgui_cfg_file" << EOL
+#pragma once
+#define ImTextureID ImU64
+EOL
+
+ingame_overlay_common_defs="'-DIMGUI_USER_CONFIG=$_imgui_cfg_file' -DINGAMEOVERLAY_USE_SYSTEM_LIBRARIES=OFF -DINGAMEOVERLAY_USE_SPDLOG=OFF -DINGAMEOVERLAY_BUILD_TESTS=OFF"
+
+echo; echo "// building ingame_overlay [System dep x64]"
+pushd "deps/System"
+eval $recreate_64
+eval $cmake_gen64 "-DCMAKE_CXX_FLAGS_RELEASE='-include cstdint -include cinttypes'" -DBUILD_SYSTEMLIB_TESTS=OFF
+last_code=$((last_code + $?))
+eval $cmake_build64 --target install
+last_code=$((last_code + $?))
+eval $clean_gen64
+popd
+
+echo; echo "// building ingame_overlay [mini_detour dep x64]"
+pushd "deps/mini_detour"
+eval $recreate_64
+eval $cmake_gen64 -DBUILD_MINIDETOUR_TESTS=OFF
+last_code=$((last_code + $?))
+eval $cmake_build64 --target install
+last_code=$((last_code + $?))
+eval $clean_gen64
+popd
+
+echo; echo "// building ingame_overlay [main lib x64]"
+eval $recreate_64
+eval $cmake_gen64 "-DCMAKE_CXX_FLAGS_RELEASE='-include cstdint -include cinttypes'" $ingame_overlay_common_defs
+last_code=$((last_code + $?))
+eval $cmake_build64 --target install
+last_code=$((last_code + $?))
+eval $clean_gen64
+
+popd
+echo; echo;
+
+
+echo;
+if [[ $last_code = 0 ]]; then
+  echo "[GG] no failures"
+else
+  echo "[XX] general failure" >&2
+fi
+
+exit $last_code