https://github.com/peterneutron/illumination
macOS menu bar app that automatically extends display brightness on XDR‑capable Macs according to the ambient light sensor.
https://github.com/peterneutron/illumination
display hdr mac macos swift xdr
Last synced: 17 days ago
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macOS menu bar app that automatically extends display brightness on XDR‑capable Macs according to the ambient light sensor.
- Host: GitHub
- URL: https://github.com/peterneutron/illumination
- Owner: peterneutron
- Created: 2025-08-28T13:11:47.000Z (10 months ago)
- Default Branch: master
- Last Pushed: 2026-04-20T21:01:40.000Z (2 months ago)
- Last Synced: 2026-04-20T22:30:07.071Z (2 months ago)
- Topics: display, hdr, mac, macos, swift, xdr
- Language: Swift
- Homepage:
- Size: 4.51 MB
- Stars: 2
- Watchers: 0
- Forks: 0
- Open Issues: 0
-
Metadata Files:
- Readme: README.md
- Agents: AGENTS.md
Awesome Lists containing this project
README
# Illumination
Illumination is a macOS menu bar app that extends SDR brightness into EDR on compatible built-in displays while adapting to ambient light and app policy.
## Scope
Use Illumination when you need:
- ambient-light-driven EDR headroom control
- menu bar brightness control that coexists with macOS auto-brightness
- per-app policy gating for when Illumination is allowed to run
- an optional HDR tile to keep EDR active in fullscreen spaces
- debug and replay tools for ALS and HDR investigations
## Build
```bash
make build
```
## Verify
```bash
make verify
```
Common local targets:
- `make xcodegen`
- `make xcodegen-check`
- `make lint`
- `make test`
- `make build`
## Docs
Keep the README short. Detailed material lives elsewhere:
- [Contract and Architecture](docs/contracts.md)
- [Release Process](docs/release.md)
- [Agent Instructions](AGENTS.md)
- [Algorithm Paper](assets/Algorithm.pdf)
## Runtime Notes
- built-in displays only for now
- Screen Recording permission is only relevant for the experimental HDR detector paths
- policy precedence is strict: app denylist, then master and mode state, then experimental HDR detector
- high-brightness EDR operation can materially increase heat and power draw
## Safety
Illumination intentionally drives display brightness behavior beyond the standard SDR path. Test changes on real hardware and prefer reversible, bounded experiments when tuning ALS or EDR policy.