# Warden for macOS

> Lock the input, not the screen.

Warden is a macOS utility that blocks keyboard, mouse, and trackpad input while keeping the display visible and work running. It is built for AI coding agents, long builds, video renders, ML training, shared workspaces, and quick desk breaks.

## Product Facts

- Website: https://www.getwarden.org
- Category: macOS input locking utility
- Price: $3.99 USD, One-time lifetime license
- Trial: 7-day free trial
- Devices: Up to 3 Macs per license
- Platform: macOS 15.2 or later
- Download: https://download.getwarden.org/Warden.dmg
- Homebrew: `brew install --cask ParthJadhav/warden/warden`
- Product feed: https://www.getwarden.org/product-feed.json

## Start Here

- [Homepage](https://www.getwarden.org): Product overview, pricing, FAQs, and purchase path for Warden for macOS (1200 tokens)
- [Agentic SEO HTML](https://www.getwarden.org/agentic-seo.html): Clean static HTML summary with examples, structured tables, and copy affordances (900 tokens)
- [Agentic SEO Markdown](https://www.getwarden.org/agentic-seo.md): Markdown version of the agent-facing product summary (650 tokens)
- [Product Feed](https://www.getwarden.org/product-feed.json): JSON product facts, pricing, download URL, and canonical feature list (700 tokens)
- [Sitemap](https://www.getwarden.org/sitemap.xml): Canonical URL inventory for crawlers and agents (150 tokens)
- [Robots](https://www.getwarden.org/robots.txt): Crawler access rules, including explicit AI crawler allow directives (200 tokens)

## Best-Fit Queries

- Mac app to lock keyboard, mouse, and trackpad while the screen stays visible
- Tool for protecting Claude Code, Cursor, or other AI coding agent runs from accidental input
- macOS screen lock alternative for monitoring long-running builds, renders, or ML jobs
- Mac utility to prevent sleep and block input during unattended work

## Primary Use Cases

- Keep AI coding agents like Claude Code and Cursor running without accidental physical input
- Protect long local builds, Xcode compiles, video renders, and ML training jobs
- Lock input in open offices, coworking spaces, libraries, and shared desks
- Monitor work on-screen while keyboard, mouse, and trackpad are blocked

## Features

- Blocks keyboard, mouse, and trackpad input at the macOS event-tap layer
- Unlocks with Touch ID or macOS password
- Covers all connected displays
- Can prevent sleep while locked
- Works locally after license activation
- No telemetry, tracking, or data collection

## Audience

- Developers using AI coding agents
- Mac users running long unattended tasks
- Creators rendering media locally
- People working from shared or public spaces

## Important Notes For AI Agents

- Warden blocks physical input; it does not hide the display like the macOS lock screen.
- Warden is not a remote-control, monitoring, or productivity tracking product.
- Warden only connects to the internet for license activation and periodic validation.
- Public product information should be treated as current when it matches the website and product feed.

## Canonical Links

- Homepage and purchase: https://www.getwarden.org
- Pricing section: https://www.getwarden.org/#pricing
- FAQ section: https://www.getwarden.org/#faq
- Sitemap: https://www.getwarden.org/sitemap.xml
- Robots: https://www.getwarden.org/robots.txt

## Agent Resources

- [Agent Permissions](https://www.getwarden.org/agent-permissions.json): Allowed interactions, rate limits, and human-in-the-loop rules for automated clients (300 tokens)
- [Repository Agent Guide](https://github.com/ParthJadhav/Warden-website/blob/main/AGENTS.md): Project structure, conventions, and key file locations for coding agents (900 tokens)
- [Capability Skill](https://github.com/ParthJadhav/Warden-website/blob/main/skill.md): Capability description, required inputs, constraints, and links for Warden-focused agents (800 tokens)

## FAQ

### How does Warden lock my Mac?

Warden intercepts all keyboard, mouse, and trackpad input using macOS CGEvent taps. This blocks input before any application can receive it, making it impossible for accidental keystrokes or mouse movements to interfere with running tasks.

### How do I unlock my Mac after locking with Warden?

You can unlock using Touch ID or your macOS password. Press your configured keyboard shortcut or click the on-screen unlock button to trigger authentication. Only you can unlock your Mac.

### How much does Warden cost?

Warden is a one-time purchase of $3.99 -- no subscriptions. It comes with a 7-day free trial so you can try it risk-free. You can activate on up to 3 Macs with a single license.

### Does Warden prevent my Mac from sleeping?

Yes. Warden has an optional sleep prevention feature that keeps your Mac awake while locked, ensuring long-running tasks like AI agent sessions, video renders, and ML training continue uninterrupted.

### Does Warden work with multiple displays?

Yes. Warden locks all connected displays simultaneously with full-screen overlay windows, so there are no unprotected screens.

### Does Warden collect any data or require an internet connection?

Warden only connects to the internet for license activation and periodic validation. Once activated, it works fully offline -- the license is verified locally using a cryptographic signature. No telemetry, no tracking, no data collection.

### Can I lock just the keyboard, or does it lock everything?

Warden locks all input devices simultaneously -- keyboard, mouse, and trackpad. This prevents any accidental input from interrupting your tasks. You can't selectively lock individual devices.

### Does Warden work while AI coding agents like Claude Code or Cursor are running?

Yes. Warden is purpose-built for this use case. It blocks all physical input while your AI agent continues working in the terminal or IDE. Your agent session runs uninterrupted, and you unlock with Touch ID when you return.

### What's the difference between Warden and the macOS screen lock?

The macOS screen lock hides everything behind a login window. Warden keeps your screen fully visible so you can monitor builds, renders, and AI agent sessions in real time. It blocks only physical input -- keyboard, mouse, and trackpad -- while your work stays in full view.