Keep-awake tools

Orson and KeepingYouAwake.

KeepingYouAwake is a small tool for a specific need: stop a Mac from sleeping for a while. Orson is intended to connect workday setup to a private, reviewable time record.

Orson's timeline and reports are in development. Its signed download and checkout are not available yet.

When KeepingYouAwake fits

Its project site describes one-click and timed sleep prevention, plus deactivation on low battery. The source is available on GitHub. Its FAQ says that it does not prevent sleep when a MacBook lid is closed.

If you only need wake sessions, the smaller tool may be the better fit.

When Orson fits

Orson already limits local input and display-awake controls to the hours you set. It can open your chosen work apps and run restricted native start/close routines.

The planned launch version also lets you opt in to an encrypted timeline and edit time before sharing a client report. Its presence controls cannot promise that Slack, Teams, or other apps will always show Available.

Which one fits?

Choose KeepingYouAwake if you want a focused, open-source wake utility today.

Follow Orson if scheduled app setup and reviewed contractor time matter as much as a Mac that stays awake.

Sources checked September 23, 2026: KeepingYouAwake site and project FAQ. Vendor descriptions are not hands-on tests. Orson is not affiliated with KeepingYouAwake.