LidWorks

Keep your Mac awake with the lid closed

Close your MacBook and keep working. AI agents like Claude Code and Codex, downloads, builds and backups keep running with the lid shut, with no external monitor.

Buy for $14.99 See how it works

macOS 15 or later · Apple silicon and Intel · One-time purchase

Close the lid and your Mac keeps working

A MacBook normally goes to sleep the second you close it, unless an external display, keyboard and power adapter are plugged in for clamshell mode. LidWorks keeps it running on its own, on battery or plugged in, so whatever you started finishes while the lid stays shut.

The caffeinate command and the “Prevent automatic sleeping” setting only stop idle sleep, so closing the lid still puts a MacBook to sleep. LidWorks takes care of the lid.

Let your AI agents run overnight

Give Claude Code, Codex or Gemini CLI a long task, close the lid and go to bed. Your MacBook keeps working through the night instead of pausing until you open it again.

  • Claude Code
  • OpenAI Codex
  • Cursor
  • Gemini CLI
  • GitHub Copilot
  • Windsurf
  • Ollama

  • Come back to finished work

    Refactors, test suites and migrations run to the end with the lid shut. Choose While Apps Run and your Mac goes back to sleep a few minutes after the agent quits.

  • Check in from your phone

    Your Mac stays awake and online, so you can keep steering a session with Claude Code's Remote Control, SSH in from another computer, or reach a local server

  • Downloads and backups finish

    Big downloads, Time Machine backups and cloud syncs keep going overnight instead of stalling the moment the lid closes

  • Builds, renders and servers

    Xcode builds, video exports and 3D renders run to the end, and a dev server or a model in Ollama stays reachable on your network

Lives in your menu bar

LidWorks sits quietly in your menu bar. Turn it on, close the lid, and that's it. Switch modes or put your Mac to sleep right away from the same menu.

  1. Turn it onChoose Turn On from the menu bar, or click the laptop in the LidWorks window
  2. Close the lidThe screen goes dark and everything you started keeps running
  3. Turn it off, or let itTurn it off when you're done, or in While Apps Run mode LidWorks does it for you

The first time, LidWorks asks for your Mac's password once to allow closed-lid mode

Knows when the job is done

Choose While Apps Run and pick the apps that matter, like Claude Code, Xcode or a download. LidWorks keeps your Mac awake while any of them runs, then lets it sleep a few minutes after the last one quits.

No flat battery in the morning, and no remembering to turn it off

LidWorks in While Apps Run mode: awake while Claude Code is running, with a three-minute wait after it quits. LidWorks in While Apps Run mode: awake while Claude Code is running, with a three-minute wait after it quits.
LidWorks Advanced settings: keep display on, stop when battery falls below 15%, stop if the Mac gets too hot, launch at login. LidWorks Advanced settings: keep display on, stop when battery falls below 15%, stop if the Mac gets too hot, launch at login.

Safe to leave running

LidWorks keeps an eye on your battery and temperature while you're away. Turn it off, quit it, log out or restart, and your Mac sleeps normally again. If LidWorks ever crashes, it puts sleep back the next time it opens.

  • Battery limit

    Turns off when the battery falls below the level you choose, 15% by default

  • Heat protection

    Lets your Mac sleep if it starts running too hot

  • One small permission

    Asks for your password once, to allow just two commands: closed-lid sleep off and back on

  • Private

    No account, no analytics, no internet connection needed

Leave your Mac on a desk or another hard surface while it works, not in a bag

LidWorks app icon LidWorks app icon

LidWorks

Close the lid, keep working

$14.99one-time purchase

Buy now
  • No subscription, no account
  • Secure checkout by Lemon Squeezy · Card, Apple Pay and PayPal
  • macOS 15 or later · Apple silicon and Intel

Questions and answers

Something else? Send an email

How do I keep my MacBook awake with the lid closed?

Turn on LidWorks with “Stay awake with lid closed” switched on, then close the lid. Your MacBook keeps running with the display off, on its own: no external monitor, keyboard or power adapter needed. Turn LidWorks off and it sleeps normally again.

Can a MacBook stay awake with the lid closed without an external monitor?

Normally, no: macOS sleeps when you close the lid unless it's in clamshell mode with an external display, keyboard and power connected. LidWorks lifts that restriction while it's on, so your MacBook keeps running with the lid shut, on its own.

Does caffeinate keep a Mac awake with the lid closed?

No. The caffeinate command and the “Prevent automatic sleeping” setting only stop idle sleep; closing the lid still puts a MacBook to sleep. LidWorks keeps it running with the lid closed, and adds battery and heat safeguards.

Can I run Claude Code or other AI agents with my MacBook closed?

Yes. Start Claude Code, Codex, Cursor, Gemini CLI or a local model, turn on LidWorks and close the lid; the agent keeps working. Choose “While Apps Run” and your Mac goes back to sleep a few minutes after the agent finishes.

Can I control my Mac remotely while the lid is closed?

Yes. Your Mac stays awake and online, so you can SSH into it, reach local servers, or steer agents from your phone with tools like Claude Code's Remote Control. The built-in display stays off while the lid is shut.

Is it safe to run a MacBook with the lid closed?

Yes, in a well-ventilated spot. LidWorks stops if your battery runs low or the Mac gets too hot. Avoid running it inside a bag or on a soft surface, where it can't cool down.

Why does LidWorks ask for my password once?

Keeping a Mac awake with the lid closed needs a system setting only an administrator can change. LidWorks asks once to allow exactly two commands: turning closed-lid sleep off and back on. You can remove that permission from the app at any time.

What happens if LidWorks quits or crashes?

Normal sleep comes back when you turn LidWorks off, quit it, log out or restart. If it ever crashes, it restores sleep the next time it opens.

Which Macs does LidWorks support?

Any Mac running macOS 15 Sequoia or later, with Apple silicon or an Intel processor.

Does LidWorks collect any data?

No. There's no account, no analytics and no tracking, and it doesn't need the internet to work.