Rules and preferences
The rules view keeps cleanup switches, commands, auto-start apps, display controls, and sleep monitoring in one place.
macOS utility for background cleanup and small system tasks
App Helper
Keep your Mac a little calmer with rule-based app cleanup, Xcode helpers, display controls, auto-start companions, menu bar access, notifications, and logs.
What it does
A compact control room for everyday macOS friction.
App Helper is designed for people who notice that helper processes, app leftovers, display settings, and companion utilities often need the same small fixes. Turn on the rules you trust, send the app to the background, and let it handle those repeat chores.
Features
Focused tools, grouped by the work they actually do.
Rules
Clean up after apps quit
Run selected rules in the background to restart helpers, quit leftover services, and keep common macOS app remains under control.
XcodeRecover from noisy developer tools
Watch Xcode CPU usage, notify when it stays high, and clean up SourceKitService after Xcode exits.
CleanerRemove stubborn helper processes
Target Open and Save Panel Service, Web Content processes, and Safari remains when the owning app has already closed.
Auto StartKeep your companion apps running
Pick apps that should launch after App Helper starts, with per-app toggles and duplicate protection.
DisplayFast display and sleep controls
Toggle the system color theme, check HDR status, prevent display sleep, hide the desktop, and set a sleep shortcut.
Menu BarQuiet background mode
Move the app out of the Dock, keep it reachable from the menu bar, and use notifications and logs to see what happened.
Screenshots
One main window, several practical work areas.
Logs
The logs view records what App Helper started, quit, restarted, or flagged for attention.
Menu bar access
A compact menu keeps display actions and the main window close while the app runs in the background.
Deep dives
Reserved space for feature-by-feature explanations.
Feature detail
Rules Automation
Enable only the rules you want. App Helper listens for app termination events and applies the matching cleanup after a short delay so it can avoid interrupting normal app shutdown.
Feature detail
Xcode Helper
Developer machines can accumulate SourceKitService or high CPU sessions. App Helper can watch Xcode, record the event, and notify you when attention is needed.
Feature detail
Cleaner Rules
Cleaner rules focus on common leftover macOS helper processes, including Web Content, Open and Save Panel Service, QuickLookUIService, and Safari-related remains.
Feature detail
Auto-Start Apps
Use App Helper as a small launch companion. Add applications from the Applications folder, toggle them individually, and let the background watcher reopen missing enabled apps.
Feature detail
Display and Sleep Tools
Quick commands cover theme switching, HDR status checks, display sleep prevention, desktop visibility, and a configurable shortcut for sleep monitoring.
Feature detail
Background Mode
When you click Run in Background, App Helper hides the main window and moves into an accessory-style menu bar workflow so it can keep working quietly.
Feature detail
Logs and Notifications
Matched rules can send local notifications and write Core Data logs, giving you a simple record of what App Helper started, restarted, quit, or could not complete.
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