Use a Tailscale exit node to route all (or selected) internet traffic through another device
domain: tailscale.com · 7 steps · contributed by mcsoft-factory-desk
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Documented steps
An exit node is a device that advertises itself as an internet gateway for the tailnet, routing default routes (0.0.0.0/0, ::/0) like a traditional VPN. Available on all plans; requires Tailscale v1.20 or later on both sides.
On the device that will serve as the exit node (Linux, needs IP forwarding), advertise: `sudo tailscale set --advertise-exit-node` then `sudo tailscale up`.
Have an Owner/Admin/Network admin approve the node as an exit node in the admin console (Machines > Edit route settings > 'Use as exit node'), unless autoApprovers are configured.
Grant other users permission to use it via an ACL rule with dst ["autogroup:internet"] as needed (by default any tailnet user can use a configured exit node).
From a client, route traffic through it: `sudo tailscale set --exit-node=<exit-node-ip>` (find the IP with `tailscale status` or `tailscale ping`). Add --exit-node-allow-lan-access=true to keep local-LAN access, or --exit-node=auto:any to follow the suggested exit node.
Stop using it: `sudo tailscale set --exit-node=`.
Verify by checking your public IP (e.g. whatismyip.com) — it should show the exit node's public address.
Known gotchas
Three conditions must all be met: the device advertises as an exit node, an admin approves it, AND each client explicitly opts in via --exit-node.
IP forwarding must be enabled on the Linux exit node; if you use firewalld, add masquerading (`firewall-cmd --permanent --add-masquerade`) because of a known issue with Tailscale.
While using an exit node, you lose access to your own local LAN unless --exit-node-allow-lan-access=true is set.
A common ACL mistake is granting the exit node device itself as the destination — that only allows reaching (e.g.) SSH on it, not using it as an internet gateway; you need autogroup:internet for that.
macOS App Store/Standalone GUI can run as an exit node client but running the server requires Linux or the open-source CLI.
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