SleepStopper

A cross-platform desktop application that prevents your computer from going to sleep. Keep your system awake during long downloads, presentations, or any task that requires uninterrupted operation.

Features

• One-click toggle to prevent/allow system sleep
• System tray integration for background operation
• Real-time activity log
• Cross-platform: Windows, Linux, and macOS
• Lightweight and resource-efficient

Installation

Windows

1. Download SleepStopper-windows-x64.zip from the Releases page
2. Extract the zip file to a folder of your choice (e.g., C:\Program Files\SleepStopper)
3. Run SleepStopper.exe

Optional: Create a shortcut to SleepStopper.exe on your Desktop or Start Menu for easy access.

Run at Startup (Optional):

1. Press Win + R, type shell:startup, and press Enter
2. Create a shortcut to SleepStopper.exe in this folder

Linux

Debian/Ubuntu (.deb)

# Download and install
sudo dpkg -i SleepStopper-linux-x64.deb

# Run
sleepstopper

Fedora/RHEL/CentOS (.rpm)

# Download and install
sudo rpm -i SleepStopper-linux-x64.rpm

# Run
sleepstopper

Portable (tar.gz)

tar -xzf SleepStopper-linux-x64.tar.gz
cd SleepStopper-linux-x64
chmod +x SleepStopper
./SleepStopper

Optional: Move portable version to a system location:

sudo mv SleepStopper-linux-x64 /opt/SleepStopper
sudo ln -s /opt/SleepStopper/SleepStopper /usr/local/bin/sleepstopper

macOS

DMG Installer (Recommended)

1. Download SleepStopper-macos-x64.dmg (Intel) or SleepStopper-macos-arm64.dmg (Apple Silicon)
2. Open the DMG file
3. Drag SleepStopper to the Applications folder
4. Launch from Applications

Note: On first run, macOS may block the app. Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy > General and click "Open Anyway".

Portable (tar.gz)

tar -xzf SleepStopper-macos-x64.tar.gz
cd SleepStopper-macos-x64
chmod +x SleepStopper
./SleepStopper

Build from Source

Requires .NET 8 SDK.

# Clone the repository
git clone https://github.com/hokagedami/SleepStopper.git
cd SleepStopper

# Build and run
dotnet build
dotnet run --project SleepStopper

# Or publish a self-contained executable
dotnet publish SleepStopper/SleepStopper.csproj -c Release -r win-x64 --self-contained true -p:PublishSingleFile=true
dotnet publish SleepStopper/SleepStopper.csproj -c Release -r linux-x64 --self-contained true -p:PublishSingleFile=true
dotnet publish SleepStopper/SleepStopper.csproj -c Release -r osx-x64 --self-contained true -p:PublishSingleFile=true

Usage

Starting the Application

Launch SleepStopper.exe (Windows), SleepStopper (Linux/macOS), or run from source.

Main Window

Element	Description
ACTIVATE button (green)	Click to prevent system sleep
DEACTIVATE button (red)	Click to allow system sleep
Log panel	Shows activity history and status messages

Basic Operation

1. Prevent Sleep: Click the green ACTIVATE button

   • Button turns red and shows DEACTIVATE
   • Log displays: "System Auto-Sleep Deactivated"
   • Your computer will now stay awake

2. Allow Sleep: Click the red DEACTIVATE button

   • Button turns green and shows ACTIVATE
   • Log displays: "System Auto-Sleep Activated"
   • Normal sleep behavior is restored

System Tray

The application minimizes to the system tray when you close the window:

• Double-click tray icon: Restore the main window
• Right-click tray icon: Opens context menu
  • ACTIVATE/DEACTIVATE: Toggle sleep prevention
  • Show: Restore the main window
  • Exit: Close the application completely

Closing the Application

• Clicking X (close button): Minimizes to system tray (app keeps running)
• Right-click tray > Exit: Fully closes the application and restores normal sleep

How It Works

Windows

Uses the Windows API SetThreadExecutionState with ES_DISPLAY_REQUIRED and ES_CONTINUOUS flags to inform the system that the display is in use, preventing both display sleep and system sleep.

Linux

Spawns a systemd-inhibit process with --what=idle:sleep that creates an inhibitor lock, preventing the system from entering idle or sleep states while active.

macOS

Spawns a caffeinate -d process that asserts a "prevent display sleep" assertion, keeping the display and system awake.

Troubleshooting

Windows

• App won't start: Ensure you extracted all files from the zip, not just the .exe
• Sleep still occurs: Run as Administrator for full compatibility

Linux

• Permission denied: Run chmod +x SleepStopper to make it executable
• systemd-inhibit not found: Install systemd or use a systemd-based distribution
• No tray icon: Ensure your desktop environment supports system tray (may need an extension on GNOME)

macOS

• "App is damaged" error: Run xattr -cr /path/to/SleepStopper to remove quarantine
• Blocked by Gatekeeper: Go to System Preferences > Security & Privacy and allow the app

License

This project is open source.

Contributing

Contributions are welcome! Please feel free to submit issues and pull requests.