Caffeinate & Disablesleep prevents a Mac from sleeping via a menu bar interface that wraps two commonly-used terminal commands into three selectable modes. The app is aimed at users who need reliable wake states without repeatedly entering terminal commands. (Free, open-source)
Three modes cover different scenarios. Awake Session keeps the Mac awake for a set duration but only works with the lid open. Caffeinate prevents sleep even when the lid is closed, though the screen still dims after inactivity. Caffeinate + Disablesleep maintains a full wake state regardless of lid position until the user manually disables it.
Initial setup requires a one-time password prompt to install a sudoers rule. Subsequent mode changes require no further authentication, making quick toggling practical. The app is available via DMG download or Homebrew installation.
Source code is available under the MIT license. No analytics, tracking, or network connections are included.
System requirements: macOS 14 Sonoma or later.
Pricing: (Free, open-source) Available via DMG download or Homebrew.
Limitations: The Awake Session mode does not function when the lid is closed. The sudoers rule installation, while a one-time step, may concern users who prefer not to modify system security settings.
Alternatives: Amphetamine (feature-rich, App Store, free), KeepingYouAwake (open-source, simpler), Lungo (minimal, paid).
Suitable for users who need precise control over Mac sleep behavior when running scripts, processing files, or using a Mac Mini or closed-lid laptop configuration without an external display.
