Clamshell
A menu bar tool that keeps tasks running after you close your MacBook lid
About Clamshell
Clamshell keeps agents, terminal sessions, builds, and downloads running after you close your MacBook lid, while maintaining the network connection for SSH and screen sharing. A single Option-close gesture turns off the screen without sudo, drivers, or a privileged helper; no external display, dock, or HDMI dummy plug is required. It supports Apple Silicon Mac laptops and works on battery power; an optional low-battery switch puts the Mac to sleep below a custom level.
Best for
Best use cases
Run agent tasks after closing the lid
Keep terminal sessions, builds, and downloads running
Access the Mac remotely through SSH or screen sharing
Continue working on battery power
Features
Keep running after closing the lid
Agents, terminal sessions, builds, and downloads continue running after closing the lid.
Option-close gesture
Turn off the screen with a single Option-close gesture, with no sudo or privileged helper required.
Close the lid without an external display
Close the lid without a monitor, dock, or HDMI dummy plug.
Low-battery protection
An optional switch puts the Mac to sleep when the battery falls below a custom level.
Pros
- One-time purchase with lifetime use
- No sudo, drivers, or privileged helper required
- No monitor, dock, or HDMI dummy plug required
- Works on battery power too
Cons
- Supports Apple Silicon Mac laptops and requires macOS 14 or later
- The Option-close gesture requires a lid-angle sensor and works with MacBook Air M2 (2022) or later models, as well as 14/16-inch MacBook Pro models from 2021 or later
Pricing Plans
One-time purchase
- Lifetime use
- One Mac per license
* Pricing information is for reference only. Please refer to the latest announcement on Clamshell's official website.