The macOS lock screen kills Accessibility APIs, screen capture, and GUI automation — breaking any computer-use agent mid-run. Compiling... keeps macOS unlocked for your agent while looking locked to anyone walking past.
Keep-awake tools leave your screen exposed. The lock screen kills your agent. Pick one — or don't.
| Keep-awake tools | macOS Lock Screen | Compiling... | |
|---|---|---|---|
Terminal agents, CLI, cron Network, file I/O, daemons — fully unaffected | ✓ | ✓ | ✓ |
Accessibility API & GUI automation Clicking, typing, controlling other apps | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
Screen capture & vision feedback Screenshots return black or the lock screen itself | ✓ | ✗ | ✓ |
Locks screen from passersby Nobody can touch your Mac or see your screen | ✗ | ✓ | ✓ |
Auto-activates on idle 1, 5, 10, or 15 min — like a smart screensaver | ✗ | ✗ | ✓ |