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BlackFlare Review

BlackFlare is a native macOS menu bar application that keeps a Mac awake and provides notifications for Claude or Codex AI agent task completion.

shipped Jul 29, 2026researchpaid
researchproductivity
BlackFlare — product screenshot

Why it matters

1BlackFlare is a native macOS menu bar application.
2It provides notifications for Claude and Codex AI agent task completion.
3The application ensures privacy and on-device performance.
4BlackFlare integrates with Telegram and Slack for notifications.

About BlackFlare

Business Model
Per-Job Pricing
Usage Pricing
$20/license per session
Platforms
macOS
Target Audience
Mac users running Claude or Codex

Pricing Plans

Single License
$20 / one-time
  • Lifetime updates
  • Keychain access
  • Works with macOS 13 or later

Cost Examples

  • Purchase one license for $20

Leadership

Tin Trung NguyenFounderLinkedIn

Specs

API Available

Yes, public API

Screenshots

overview

What is BlackFlare?

BlackFlare is a productivity tool developed by Tin Trung Nguyen that enables Mac users running Claude or Codex AI agents to keep their Mac awake and receive notifications upon task completion or when input is required. It helps to track usage and customize settings directly from the macOS menu bar, ensuring privacy and on-device performance.

features

Key Features of BlackFlare

BlackFlare offers several features designed to enhance the experience of using AI coding agents on macOS, focusing on system management, notifications, and usage tracking.

  • Keeps Mac awake during Claude or Codex AI agent sessions.
  • Sends notifications via Telegram and Slack upon task completion or when input is needed.
  • Tracks AI agent plan usage directly from the macOS menu bar.
  • Requires read-only Keychain access for secure operation.
  • Operates with no telemetry or data collection, ensuring user privacy.
  • Allows customization of settings directly from the macOS menu bar.
  • Ensures privacy and on-device performance for all operations.
  • Enables switching default AI agents from the menu bar.

use cases

Who Should Use BlackFlare?

BlackFlare is primarily designed for developers and researchers who utilize AI coding agents like Claude Code or Codex on their macOS devices, providing essential tools for managing long-running tasks and monitoring agent activity.

  • Developers using AI coding agents like Claude Code or Codex who need to keep their Mac awake during long runs.
  • Users requiring notifications when an AI agent session finishes or needs attention.
  • Individuals who need to switch default AI agents quickly from the menu bar.
  • Professionals monitoring their AI agent plan usage to manage costs and allocations.
  • Anyone seeking to prevent loss of track of finished AI agent tasks on macOS.

how to use

How to Use BlackFlare

To begin using BlackFlare, users typically download and install the native macOS application, then configure their preferred AI agents and notification settings directly from the menu bar.

  • 1Download the BlackFlare application from blackflare.dev.
  • 2Install the application on your macOS device.
  • 3Access BlackFlare from the macOS menu bar.
  • 4Configure settings for keeping your Mac awake during AI agent runs.
  • 5Set up integrations with Telegram or Slack for task completion notifications.
  • 6Monitor AI agent plan usage and switch default agents as needed from the menu bar.

pricing

BlackFlare Pricing & Plans

BlackFlare is offered under a paid, per-job business model, with a single license available for a one-time purchase. There are no recurring subscription fees or usage-based charges beyond the initial license acquisition.

  • Single License: $20 (one-time purchase)

Pros

  • +Keeps Mac awake specifically for Claude and Codex AI agent tasks.
  • +Provides timely notifications via Telegram and Slack upon task completion or input requirement.
  • +Offers on-device performance and ensures user privacy with no data collection.
  • +Allows monitoring of AI agent plan usage directly from the macOS menu bar.
  • +Enables switching default AI agents conveniently from the menu bar.
  • +One-time purchase of $20 for a single license, avoiding recurring subscription costs.

Cons

  • Limited to macOS platform, not available on Windows or other operating systems.
  • Specific integration only with Claude and Codex AI agents, not a universal AI tool manager.
  • No API available for custom integrations or advanced automation.
  • Lacks a free trial or freemium tier for users to test before purchase.

Policies

Pricing Page

View Pricing

Similar Tools

BlackFlare vs Competitors

BlackFlare distinguishes itself in the macOS utility market by specifically integrating with AI coding agents like Claude and Codex, offering targeted notifications and usage tracking that general 'keep awake' utilities lack.

1
Amphetamine

Offers highly customizable options for keeping your Mac awake, including based on specific applications running, network activity, or time.

While Amphetamine provides robust control over keeping your Mac awake, it lacks the specific integration with AI models like Claude or Codex for task completion monitoring and notifications. You would need a separate solution for AI task alerts.

2
KeepingYouAwake

A simple, open-source menu bar utility that prevents your Mac from going to sleep, similar to the original Caffeine app.

KeepingYouAwake effectively prevents your Mac from sleeping, but it does not offer any features for monitoring AI task progress or providing notifications upon completion, which is a core feature of BlackFlare.

3
Lungo

A minimalist menu bar app designed for quickly toggling your Mac's sleep prevention with a single click or customizable duration.

Lungo provides a straightforward way to keep your Mac awake for a set period or indefinitely, but it does not include any functionality for tracking AI model execution or sending notifications when tasks are finished, unlike BlackFlare.

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