Wanted: Easy Way To Switch Between Different Times Until Lock Screen Is Activated

[Rok73]

Title nearly says it all. I want some kind of (two?) shortcut(s) to switch between different times until the Lock Screen is activated. What's the easiest way to do this? Are there probably different ones? I am on macOS Ventura 13.2.1.

On a side note: I hate the way the settings are organized on Ventura. Terrible, ugly. Things are hard to find. I am on board since Snow Leopard, I think.

 

[Bigwaff]

So basically "Settings > Lock Screen > Start Screen Saver when inactive" but you want the capability of setting two different values... triggered based on... time of day? Day of week?

 

[Rok73]

So basically "Settings > Lock Screen > Start Screen Saver when inactive" but you want the capability of setting two different values... triggered based on... time of day? Day of week?

I want an easy way to change the setting without the hassle of diving into the settings. A quick accesss.

 

[bobdamnit]

I want an easy way to change the setting without the hassle of diving into the settings. A quick accesss.

I think you’re going to want to create scripts that set the sleep time via Terminal. Unfortunately to do this, you’ll need “sudo”, so it cannot be done just by “double clicking” something. You’ll also need to input your administrator password.

You may also look into using AppleScript and Automator to accomplish this.

 

[Rok73]

I think you’re going to want to create scripts that set the sleep time via Terminal. Unfortunately to do this, you’ll need “sudo”, so it cannot be done just by “double clicking” something. You’ll also need to input your administrator password.

You may also look into using AppleScript and Automator to accomplish this.

Someone gave me the sudo command in another thread of mine. Thanks for your tips anyways.

 

[bobdamnit]

Someone gave me the sudo command in another thread of mine. Thanks for your tips anyways.

I still think an Automator workflow will get this done and also have the benefit of being able to save the workflow to any easily accessible space to allow double clicking. You can customize the workflows to set specific times, force times, detect idle times, etc...

All without requiring an administrator password.

For example, I just setup an Automator workflow to sleep my MacBook Air after 10 minutes of inactivity and saved it to my desktop. System Preferences settings are held until you double click that Automator workflow. Now, after 10 minutes of inactivity, the Mac will sleep. Upon wake up, System Preferences settings are active again. Essentially giving you two different usable times. Want 3? Make another Automator workflow.

Open Automator.
Select "Application" as the type.
In the search bar, search "Idle".
Drag "Get Idle Time" into the workflow area on the right.
In the "Get Idle Time" action, select "After" and set it to desired time.
Back in the search, search "Sleep".
Find "Put Computer to Sleep".
Drag that into the workflow area.
Save the workflow wherever you want with whatever name you want.
Double click it to enable that workflow.

Should do what you're after and not require an administrator password.