LidRun Mac

LidRun is a safety-aware Mac runtime that keeps AI coding agents and developer workloads running when you close the lid — then releases the Mac to sleep when the work is done or safety limits (timer, battery, thermal) are reached.

What is LidRun?

LidRun is a macOS utility for keeping a MacBook awake during AI-agent sessions, Docker builds, and other long-running dev tasks — including with the lid closed. It takes as input the active workload state plus your configured timer, charging, battery, and thermal settings, and outputs a controlled keep-awake session with a full activity log of why the Mac stayed awake and why it stopped. The app is made by LidRun, is notarized by Apple, opens on first click, and requires no account.

Key Features

• Closed-Lid Mode — Keeps the Mac awake with the lid shut so Claude Code, Cursor, Codex, and other agents can finish tasks while you walk away.
• Auto Mode — Automatically detects running workloads (Claude Code, Cursor, Docker, Ollama) and holds the Mac awake while they're active, even counting known agents at 0% CPU so they're never dropped mid-task.
• Timer — Caps any run from 30 minutes to 8 hours, then lets the Mac rest on its own.
• Charging-only mode — Stays awake only while on mains power; on battery it releases, preventing accidental drain.
• Low-battery auto-sleep — At a battery level you set (around 4–5%), LidRun puts the Mac to sleep before it dies, so you can plug in and resume exactly where you left off.
• Thermal monitoring — Backs off or releases when the chip reports heat pressure.
• Auto-release — Sleeps the Mac the moment all watched tasks finish, instead of holding it awake indefinitely.
• Activity log — Records every keep-awake decision and safety intervention, newest first, with timestamps (e.g., "04:31 Battery 4% · slept the Mac").

Who should use LidRun?

• AI-coding developers using Claude Code, Cursor, Codex, or local LLMs who want to close their MacBook and let the agent finish without the system sleeping.
• Engineers running Docker builds, long terminal commands, or SSH sessions that need to survive a closed lid or an unattended period.
• Mac users who want a safe automatic sleep at low battery — LidRun's ~4–5% auto-sleep protects work from sudden shutdown in a bag.
• Anyone replacing caffeinate or Amphetamine with a workload-aware keep-awake tool that auto-releases when done.

What can you do with LidRun?

• Go home with a running agent: Close the lid while Claude Code refactors a codebase; LidRun keeps the Mac awake, shows "AI agent active," and sleeps when the agent finishes.
• Let a Docker build finish during lunch: Set a running window (30 min to 8 hours) or let LidRun detect the build and release afterward — your build won't die because you stepped away.
• Protect against battery death in transit: With low-battery auto-sleep, LidRun sleeps the Mac at ~4–5% battery so you can plug in later and resume your work without a cold restart.
• Diagnose why your Mac was awake: The Why Awake / Why Stopped dashboard shows "Claude Code active," "Docker build running," "Battery 86%," "Safety: OK," and similar reasons for every session.

How does LidRun work?

LidRun runs as a Mac menu-bar app. It watches for known workloads (Claude Code, Cursor, Codex, Docker, Ollama, Python, Node, Terminal, SSH, Xcode, uploads/downloads) and asserts a keep-awake power assertion while they're active. When all tracked work ends, or when a safety limit (timer expiry, low battery, thermal pressure) trips, it releases the assertion and lets the Mac sleep. Every decision is logged so you can see exactly why the Mac was awake and why it stopped.

Pricing

LidRun has a free forever tier and a one-time paid Pro tier (no subscription). Free includes keep-awake for AI/dev jobs, timers, charging-only mode, low-battery auto-sleep, battery/thermal guardrails, dashboard, and weekly reports. Pro adds Closed-Lid mode, Auto Mode, custom command execution with auto-sleep on finish, watchdog rules, alerts, webhooks, and priority support — priced as a launch offer: one-time $9 per Mac (listed $19), with bundles for 2 Macs ($14) and 3 Macs ($19) and a 14-day money-back guarantee. A Startup plan covers 10 Macs for $59. See the pricing page for current details.

Alternatives

• caffeinate — a built-in macOS command that prevents sleep for a single terminal session, but has no workload detection, safety guardrails, or auto-release.
• Amphetamine — a general-purpose keep-awake utility with trigger-based automation, but not specifically focused on AI/dev runs and lacking the Why Awake/Why Stopped diagnostics.

FAQ

Is LidRun free?

Yes — there's a free forever plan that covers keep-awake for AI and dev jobs, timers, charging-only mode, low-battery auto-sleep, battery and thermal guardrails, and a dashboard with weekly reports. No account or subscription is required.

How does LidRun differ from caffeinate?

Caffeinate keeps a Mac awake for a terminal session but is manual and unaware of workloads. LidRun detects when Claude Code, Cursor, Docker, or Ollama are active, auto-releases when they finish, and adds low-battery and thermal protection plus a full activity log.

What happens when my MacBook's battery gets low?

At the battery level you set (around 4–5%), LidRun puts your Mac to sleep before it dies. When you plug in, you can pick up exactly where you left off — no lost work, no cold restart. Read more about auto-sleep on low battery.

Does LidRun need an external display for clamshell mode?

No — traditional clamshell mode requires an external display. LidRun's Closed-Lid mode works with the lid closed and no external display attached, using its own power management.

How do I install LidRun on macOS?

Download the notarized app from lidrun.com, open it on first click, and no account is needed. The site also provides an install guide with setup details.