How-To Guides
Step-by-step guides for keeping your Mac awake on any macOS version.
How to Keep Your Mac Awake and Stop It from Sleeping
Why built-in settings fall short and how Shake It On keeps your Mac awake with smart conditions and natural mouse movement.
How to Prevent Your Mac or MacBook from Sleeping
Global settings are too blunt. Shake It On prevents sleep only when your conditions are met.
How to Stop Your Mac Screen from Going Dark
Display sleep and system sleep are different things. Here's how to keep your screen on when you need it.
How to Keep Your Mac Awake with the Lid Closed
Clamshell mode lets your MacBook run with the lid closed. Here's what you need and how Shake It On helps.
How to Move Your Mouse Automatically on Mac
Terminal scripts move the mouse but can't adapt to context. Shake It On does it with smart conditions.
How to Save and Switch Shake It On Sessions
Save your current settings as a named Session and switch between them in one click.
Automate Shake It On with macOS Shortcuts
ToggleShaking, ShakeNow, Snooze, KeepAwake, SwitchSession — drop them into any Shortcut.
Control Shake It On with AppleScript
Drive Shake It On from Hammerspoon, Keyboard Maestro, BetterTouchTool, or any osascript-friendly script.
Shake It On URL Scheme
Open a URL, do a thing. Works from Terminal, Raycast, Alfred, browser bookmarks, calendar events.
Let the Display Sleep While Keeping Your Mac Awake
Stop fighting the screen. Allow display to sleep keeps the Mac awake without lighting up the room.
Shake It On Closed-Lid Mode
Dock your MacBook with the lid closed and keep it running. The IOKit assertion that does it.
Keep Mac Awake Only on Specific Wi-Fi Networks
Auto-shake on the office Wi-Fi, sleep at home. Comma-separated SSID list, requires Location.
Auto-Disable Shake It On After N Hours
Never leave Shake It On running for days. Pick a duration; it stops itself.
Force Your Mac Awake for an Hour (or Two, or Until Tomorrow Morning)
When conditions are too clever, this one says: just stay awake.
Pause Shake It On Below a Battery Threshold
All-or-nothing isn't right. Stay awake on battery while charge is good; stand down when low.
Read the Shake It On Status (and Debug It)
Active because of CPU at 87%. Paused on battery at 18%. The dropdown header is the truth.
By macOS Version
Sleep settings and tips for your specific macOS version.
Keep Your Mac Awake on macOS Sequoia
Sleep settings on macOS Sequoia and why changing them isn't enough. Shake It On adds smart conditions.
Keep Your Mac Awake on macOS Sonoma
Sleep settings on macOS Sonoma and why changing them isn't enough. Shake It On adds smart conditions.
Keep Your Mac Awake on macOS Ventura
Sleep settings on macOS Ventura and why changing them isn't enough. Shake It On adds smart conditions.
Keep Your Mac Awake on macOS Monterey
Sleep settings on macOS Monterey and why changing them isn't enough. Shake It On adds smart conditions.
Keep Your Mac Awake on macOS Big Sur
Sleep settings on macOS Big Sur and why changing them isn't enough. Shake It On adds smart conditions.