diff --git a/.devcontainer/config.fish b/.devcontainer/config.fish
index 61c84741b9..d046238c4f 100644
--- a/.devcontainer/config.fish
+++ b/.devcontainer/config.fish
@@ -3203,18 +3203,33 @@ end
 # 🖥️ Machine Info / SSH Helpers
 # Read machine configs from vault/machines.json
 
-function __ac_machines_file --description "Resolve machines.json with local cache fallback"
-    set -l machines_file "/workspaces/aesthetic-computer/aesthetic-computer-vault/machines.json"
-    set -l machines_cache "$HOME/.cache/ac/machines.json"
-
-    if test -f $machines_file
-        mkdir -p (dirname $machines_cache)
-        cp $machines_file $machines_cache 2>/dev/null
-        echo $machines_file
-        return 0
-    end
-
-    if test -f $machines_cache
+function __ac_machines_file --description "Resolve machines.json with local cache fallback"
+    set -l machines_cache "$HOME/.cache/ac/machines.json"
+
+    # The vault is a sibling checkout in the devcontainer, but lives inside
+    # the repo on native Macs. Prefer explicit environment configuration and
+    # then try both supported layouts so ac-host works in either environment.
+    set -l candidates
+    if set -q AESTHETIC_VAULT
+        set -a candidates "$AESTHETIC_VAULT/machines.json"
+    end
+    if set -q AC_ROOT
+        set -a candidates "$AC_ROOT/aesthetic-computer-vault/machines.json"
+    end
+    set -a candidates \
+        "/workspaces/aesthetic-computer/aesthetic-computer-vault/machines.json" \
+        "$HOME/aesthetic-computer/aesthetic-computer-vault/machines.json"
+
+    for machines_file in $candidates
+        if test -f $machines_file
+            mkdir -p (dirname $machines_cache)
+            cp $machines_file $machines_cache 2>/dev/null
+            echo $machines_file
+            return 0
+        end
+    end
+
+    if test -f $machines_cache
         echo $machines_cache
         return 0
     end