# Abendrot

> Abendrot is a free, open-source Mac screen warmer for night work and
> circadian-friendly evenings, with strong external-display support.

Abendrot is a native macOS menu-bar app that warms built-in and external
displays using the methods available on that Mac, with a screen-tint fallback
when direct warming is unavailable. It requires macOS 14 Sonoma or later and is
universal for Apple silicon and Intel.

Key facts:

- Abendrot supports per-display warmth controls across built-in and external displays.
- Sunset mode follows the user's local sunset; Always On applies warmth continuously.
- Reveal True Color temporarily removes warmth with a global keyboard shortcut.
- The bundled `abendrot` CLI can set warmth, change modes, manage exclusions,
  trigger a true-color reveal, and return live state as JSON.
- The Mac app has no account, ads, payments, analytics, or usage telemetry.
  Settings and usage statistics stay on the Mac; update checks contact GitHub.
- Abendrot is a general-wellness utility, not a medical device. It reduces
  short-wavelength output but does not claim to treat a condition or improve sleep.
- The download and GitHub release pages are the sources of truth for the current
  version and release artifact.

## Product and installation

- [Abendrot homepage](https://abendrot.app/): Product overview, features, interactive warming demonstration, research, and comparison with Night Shift and f.lux.
- [Download Abendrot](https://abendrot.app/download/): Current macOS requirement, signed and notarized DMG, Homebrew command, and installation steps.
- [Latest GitHub release](https://github.com/matthewrball/abendrot/releases/latest): Current release notes and downloadable artifacts.
- [Public source repository](https://github.com/matthewrball/abendrot): Source code, technical overview, build information, and contribution links.

## Documentation and trust

- [CLI and AI-agent control guide](https://github.com/matthewrball/abendrot/blob/main/AGENTS.md): Canonical commands, JSON fields, value ranges, exit codes, examples, and local-only trust boundary for the `abendrot` CLI.
- [Privacy](https://abendrot.app/privacy/): Website measurement, download counts, app telemetry, local statistics, and update-check behavior.
- [App privacy policy](https://github.com/matthewrball/abendrot/blob/main/PRIVACY.md): Repository copy of the Mac app's privacy guarantees.
- [MIT License](https://github.com/matthewrball/abendrot/blob/main/LICENSE): Terms for using, modifying, and distributing Abendrot.
- [Security policy](https://github.com/matthewrball/abendrot/blob/main/SECURITY.md): Supported security-reporting process.

## Common questions and cited guides

- [Best apps for night owls who work on Mac](https://abendrot.app/blog/night-owl-mac-apps/): A focused stack for screen warmth, display dimming, and late-work routines.
- [Best screen dimmer apps for Mac](https://abendrot.app/blog/best-screen-dimmer-apps-mac/): Honest comparison of warmth, brightness, and external-monitor control.
- [Best circadian rhythm apps](https://abendrot.app/blog/best-circadian-health-apps/): Source-checked tools for light, sleep timing, and practical daily signals.
- [How Abendrot warms external displays](https://abendrot.app/blog/external-display-warming-mac/): First-hand method guide, screen-tint fallback, and a reproducible compatibility check.
- [How to make a Mac screen warmer at night](https://abendrot.app/blog/make-mac-screen-warmer-at-night/): Built-in macOS options first, then Abendrot when more warmth or external-display support is needed.
- [Night Shift not warm enough on Mac](https://abendrot.app/blog/night-shift-not-warm-enough-mac/): Troubleshooting and alternatives for warmer evening displays.
- [Best f.lux alternatives](https://abendrot.app/blog/flux-alternatives/): Source-checked comparison of screen-warming tools across platforms.
- [What screen color temperature means](https://abendrot.app/blog/screen-color-temperature/): Explanation of Kelvin, display spectra, brightness, and why one number cannot predict biological effect.
- [What blue light from screens means](https://abendrot.app/blog/what-is-blue-light-screen/): Evidence-based distinction between evening circadian light exposure and digital eye discomfort.
- [Research and supporting references](https://abendrot.app/#science): Peer-reviewed sources behind the site's limited, non-medical light claims.

## Support

- [Issue tracker](https://github.com/matthewrball/abendrot/issues): Bug reports, installation problems, and feature requests.
- [Contributing guide](https://github.com/matthewrball/abendrot/blob/main/CONTRIBUTING.md): Local development and pull-request guidance.

## Optional

- [Circadian Notes](https://abendrot.app/blog/): All source-checked guides about screen warmth, blue-light filters, circadian-friendly apps, and evening computing.
- [RSS feed](https://abendrot.app/rss.xml): Machine-readable feed of Circadian Notes.
- [About the maker](https://abendrot.app/about/): Matthew Ball, the creator of Abendrot and Circadian Notes.