# ChassisWatch

> ChassisWatch is a native macOS menu bar app that turns MacBook hardware and system events into automations. Each automation has one trigger and one or more actions that run in order. It runs from a menu bar icon plus a Settings window, with no dashboard or main window.

- Requirements: Apple Silicon MacBook, macOS 14.6 or later. Intel Macs and desktop Macs are not supported.
- Distributed as a direct download from https://chassis.watch, not through the Mac App Store.
- Made by Coffee Break Ideas, LLC.

## How automations work

- Pick a trigger, add one or more actions, and turn the automation on.
- Actions run one after another, in the order listed. If an action fails or times out, the remaining actions in that automation don't run.
- There are no conditions, branches, or AND/OR trigger groups. For logic, use the Run Apple Shortcut action and build the logic in Apple Shortcuts.
- Automations can be exported to a JSON file and imported on another Mac. Imported automations start disabled.
- A local History tab records each action that ran.

## Triggers (10)

- Chassis Tap: tap the left, right, or either side of the MacBook, as a single, double, or triple tap. Has a tap calibration wizard.
- Movement: the MacBook starts moving or becomes stationary.
- Lid: opened, closing, or opened past a set position.
- Ambient Light: the room becomes dark, dim, bright, or very bright.
- Charger: connected, disconnected, or either.
- Battery: falls below or rises above a percentage, or is fully charged.
- USB Device: any or a specific device connected, disconnected, or either.
- External Display: any or a specific display connected, disconnected, or either.
- Session: Mac locked or unlocked.
- Power State: Mac woke or is preparing to sleep.

Hardware notes: the Lid trigger needs a lid angle sensor (MacBook Pro 14-inch and 16-inch from 2021, MacBook Air M2 and later). Chassis Tap and Movement need the accelerometer (M2 and later, plus M1 Pro). Every other trigger works on every supported MacBook. The app's Diagnostics screen shows what a given Mac supports.

## Actions (20)

Run Shell Script, Run Apple Shortcut, Press Keyboard Shortcut, Open Application, Open File or Folder, Open URL, Show Notification, Play Sound, Speak Text, Set Output Volume, Toggle Mute, Set Display Brightness, Lock Screen, Start Screen Saver, Sleep Mac, Eject Removable Volume, Media Play/Pause, Media Next Track, Media Previous Track, Open Displays Settings.

Run Shell Script supports Zsh, Bash, POSIX sh, Csh, Tcsh, Ksh, Dash, Perl, Python 3, Ruby, Swift, or a custom interpreter.

Only Press Keyboard Shortcut and the three media key actions need Accessibility permission. The app asks for permissions when an automation that needs them is enabled or tested, not at first launch.

## Pricing

- One-time purchase per MacBook. No subscription.
- Personal license (one MacBook): $9 launch price for the first 50 licenses (50 left), then $15.
- For more than one MacBook, contact support for multi-device pricing.
- All future updates are included, including major versions.
- A license can be moved to another MacBook by deactivating it in Settings > License.
- Full refund within 14 days of purchase.

## Privacy

- No account. A license key is all that's needed.
- No analytics, usage tracking, or crash reporting.
- The app goes online only to activate and validate its license and to check for updates. Automations, sensor readings, and run history stay on the Mac.
- Diagnostic reports are only created and sent when the user asks for one.

## Links

- [Home](https://chassis.watch/): overview, pricing, and FAQ
- [Download](https://chassis.watch/download): download the app
- [Pricing](https://chassis.watch/#pricing)
- [Changelog](https://chassis.watch/changelog)
- [Roadmap](https://chassis.watch/roadmap): features under consideration
- [Support](https://chassis.watch/support): contact form, or email support@chassis.watch

## Guides

- [How to create your first automation](https://chassis.watch/guides/how-to-create-your-first-automation): Learn how to pair a trigger with one or more actions to build your first ChassisWatch automation.
- [How to grant Accessibility permission](https://chassis.watch/guides/how-to-grant-accessibility-permission): Learn why ChassisWatch asks for Accessibility access and how to grant it in System Settings.
- [How to calibrate taps](https://chassis.watch/guides/how-to-calibrate-taps): Learn how to run the tap calibration wizard so Chassis Tap recognizes your MacBook and your taps accurately.
- [Troubleshooting error messages](https://chassis.watch/guides/troubleshooting-error-messages): What each ChassisWatch error message means, why it happens, and how to fix it.
- [How to export and import automations](https://chassis.watch/guides/how-to-export-and-import-automations): Learn how to back up your automations to a file and bring them back on this Mac or another one.
- [How to activate or move your license between Macs](https://chassis.watch/guides/how-to-activate-or-move-your-license): Learn how to activate ChassisWatch with your license key, free up a Mac, and move your license to a new one.

## Optional

- [Privacy policy](https://chassis.watch/privacy)
- [Terms of service](https://chassis.watch/terms)
- [Refund policy](https://chassis.watch/refund-policy)