Boot from main HD store in external SSD

[RunninAmini]

I have a M4 Mac mini and just want to boot from the main HD - however I wanted to EVERYTHING in the external drive. I purchased the 256gb version which is why I want everything on the external.

I have a 4TB external drive and it seems that everything is doubling up on my external as a shortcut and my main drive as a source. I just see ton of shortcut icons and I want everything saved on my 4TB drive except for the OS. is this possible?

 

[Bigwaff]

I have a 4TB external drive and it seems that everything is doubling up on my external as a shortcut and my main drive as a source. I just see ton of shortcut icons and I want everything saved on my 4TB drive except for the OS. is this possible?

Verify you have followed procedures here

Install macOS on an external storage device and use it as a startup disk - Apple Support

If you have an external storage device, you can set it up as a Mac startup disk.

support.apple.com