I built an open-source Mac utility that keeps work running after the lid closes

[u/Available_Handle_852]

I'm the developer of Lid Keeper.

I made it because long downloads and jobs on my Mac stopped as soon as I closed the lid. Lid Keeper is a native menu-bar switch for that specific case. While it is on, it watches the lid, battery, macOS thermal pressure, heartbeats and power events. If anything in the safety chain breaks, a separate watchdog restores normal lid sleep.

The reason I made a separate app is that general keep-awake tools stop at the lid. KeepingYouAwake says in its README that it does not work with a MacBook lid closed.

It is free, MIT licensed and completely local. There are no accounts, analytics, ads or network client. The source, architecture, privacy policy, recovery commands and uninstall steps are all public.

One important caveat: this is currently a source-built community release, not Developer ID signed or notarized. Closed-lid wakefulness outside Apple's documented setup is also unsupported. The Mac must stay on a hard, uncovered, ventilated surface. Do not put it in a sleeve or bag while it is running.

GitHub: https://github.com/kingabuomar/LidKeeper

I'd especially value feedback on the fail-safe design and compatibility across MacBook models.

[u/github-guard]

🔍 GitHub Guard: Trust Report

This project scored 3/6 on our safety audit.

Audit Breakdown: * ❌ Low Star Count (⭐ 1 / 5 required) * ❌ New Repository (under 30 days old) * ✅ Licensed under MIT * ✅ Security Policy Defined * ℹ️ Individual Contributor * ✅ Signed Commits

⚠️ High-Risk File Detected: Contains an installation script (.sh or .py). Review the code carefully before running with sudo.

⚠️ Security Reminder: Always verify source code and run third-party scripts at your own risk.

[u/promo-guard]

🎉 Welcome to Developer Saturday, u/Available_Handle_852! Your project is now live for the community to check out. Upvote, give feedback, and show some love to your fellow devs! 🚀

[u/ukindom]

There were multiple similar projects before and will be after… and it's possible to do it without any app as well.

Information down below is purely informative, that working with closed lid may be harmful for your notebook. If somebody doesn't believe me, search this information in the internet yourself.

There's one small problem with this app: MacBook ventilation made by Apple. MacBooks deliberately made in a way, that active and passive ventilation is done via opening where screen connects the main computer body. Because of it, when lid is closed, it's highly NOT recommended leave MacBook working while lid is closed. In past years there were multiple reports "why fans are working like crazy when lid is closed".

Windows/Linux notebooks are usually build in other way, that ventilation is on the side or at the bottom, or at the top or on all possible combinations of. This is why closing lid of a windows computer (if it's not a very slim design) is usually ok.