OpenNavo

Clamshell

Keeps a MacBook running with its lid closed and built-in display off, without an external monitor.

CaskUtilitiesAuto-updatesApple silicon
Homepage
From homebrew/cask
30-day installs
23
#1459 in App
1-year installs
23
Last 365 days
Latest version
1.4.24
2 days ago · Oct 21
Download size
4.4MB
arm64 · dmg
Release cadence
Irregular
1 release in 30 days

Clamshell is a Utilities app for Mac.

Quick facts

Chips
Apple silicon
macOS
macOS 14 or later
Install
brew install --cask clamshell
Homebrew
Available; the app updates itself
Also known as
clamshell

These facts were checked on or after . See each source

About

Clamshell is a MacBook utility for keeping terminal sessions, agents, builds, and downloads running with the lid closed.

  • Activate the next lid closure from the menu bar or with Option-close on supported models.
  • Work on battery or AC power without administrator privileges or an external display.
  • Return to normal lid sleep by disarming or quitting.

A trial and one-time purchase are available. Requires an Apple Silicon MacBook with macOS 14 or later. The Option-close gesture additionally requires a lid-angle sensor on supported MacBook Air M2 or later, or 14-/16-inch MacBook Pro models from 2021 onward. Install with brew install --cask clamshell.

clamshell · Homebrew

System requirements

macOSVersionChipsDownloadSource
macOS 14 or later1.4.24,228Apple siliconclamshell.dev/Clamshell-1.4.24-228.dmgSHA-256 a4d8950e1a387d5b573cb9f53484f1eb78e9ee1a12f84cb65d170aba795997c0HomebrewChecked

How to install Clamshell on Mac

  1. In Terminal, run: brew install --cask clamshell
  2. Homebrew installs the app in your Applications folder.

Install without Homebrew

Download the same file Homebrew uses: clamshell.dev/Clamshell-1.4.24-228.dmg

SHA-256 only checks that the download is complete; it is not a security certification. See the SHA-256 and download address

Uninstall Clamshell and optional data cleanup

Uninstall command
brew uninstall --cask clamshell

A regular uninstall removes the app and keeps its settings and caches.

Uninstalling also removes

Background services (launchctl)
com.rathonyi.clamshell.agent

Deep clean (optional)

Uninstall command
brew uninstall --zap --cask clamshell

--zap also deletes the settings, caches and other files listed in the Homebrew definition. They can include data shared with other apps and cannot be restored, and it does not guarantee that nothing is left. Back up any data you need first. To keep settings and caches, leave out --zap.

Files Clamshell can leave on your Mac (4)
Files and folders
~/Library/Application Support/Clamshell
~/Library/Caches/com.rathonyi.clamshell
~/Library/HTTPStorages/com.rathonyi.clamshell
~/Library/Preferences/com.rathonyi.clamshell.plist

These entries come from the Homebrew definition, checked . They say what it declares, not what is on your Mac.

What’s new in 1.4.24

New OpenNavo editorial

Adds purchase buttons and clearer trial-expiration reminders.

See all 1 release

Clamshell security facts

Only facts that can be checked, each with its source and date. This is not a safety certification. To check the files you downloaded, scan them on your Mac with OpenNavo.

Distribution
Homebrew
Scan with OpenNavoOpens a scan preview in the OpenNavo app; you decide whether to start it. Learn about Security

Install Details

Tap
homebrew/cask
Download URL
https://clamshell.dev/Clamshell-1.4.24-228.dmg
SHA-256
a4d8950e1a387d5b573cb9f53484f1eb78e9ee1a12f84cb65d170aba795997c0
Homebrew definition
github.com/homebrew/homebrew-cask/blob/HEAD/Casks/c/clamshell.rb
formulae.brew.sh
formulae.brew.sh/cask/clamshell

Installation and removal contents

  • Uninstall uninstall

    View full declaration
    {
  "uninstall": [
    {
      "launchctl": "com.rathonyi.clamshell.agent",
      "quit": "com.rathonyi.clamshell"
    }
  ]
}

  • Install app

    Source file: Clamshell.app

    Declared destination: /Applications/Clamshell.app

    View full declaration
    {
  "app": [
    "Clamshell.app"
  ],
  "target": "/Applications/Clamshell.app"
}

  • Remove user data zap

    View full declaration
    {
  "zap": [
    {
      "trash": [
        "~/Library/Application Support/Clamshell",
        "~/Library/Caches/com.rathonyi.clamshell",
        "~/Library/HTTPStorages/com.rathonyi.clamshell",
        "~/Library/Preferences/com.rathonyi.clamshell.plist"
      ]
    }
  ]
}

Questions about Clamshell

Is Clamshell safe?

Clamshell is in Homebrew’s official catalog and has not been disabled. Since September 2026, Homebrew disables apps that fail macOS Gatekeeper checks. When installing, Homebrew checks the download from clamshell.dev against its SHA-256 checksum. It was installed 23 times through Homebrew in the last 30 days.

How do I completely uninstall Clamshell on a Mac?

Run brew uninstall --cask clamshell. It quits the app and stops 1 background service. To delete its settings and caches as well, run brew uninstall --zap --cask clamshell. --zap also deletes the settings, caches and other files listed in the Homebrew definition. They can include data shared with other apps and cannot be restored, and it does not guarantee that nothing is left. Back up any data you need first. To keep settings and caches, leave out --zap. That also deletes 4 files and folders, including ~/Library/Application Support/Clamshell.

Does Clamshell run on Apple silicon (M1 and later) Macs?

Yes, and only there: it does not install on Intel Macs. It needs macOS 14 or later.

Where does Clamshell store its settings and data?

Its settings are in ~/Library/Preferences/com.rathonyi.clamshell.plist. Its data is in ~/Library/Application Support/Clamshell. These locations come from Homebrew’s clean-up list.

What is the latest version of Clamshell?

The latest version is 1.4.24. Clamshell updates itself; to update it with Homebrew, run brew upgrade --cask --greedy clamshell.

Sources

Every fact on this page names its source and check date. Facts past their validity read “as of” their date and are no longer stated as current.