Lumen: Automatic Mac Brightness for Dark Mode
Addressing Display Brightness Issues for Terminal Users
Individuals who frequently utilize the Terminal or other dark-themed applications often increase screen brightness for improved visibility. However, transitioning to predominantly white windows after this adjustment can result in an uncomfortably intense glare.
Lumen, a complimentary Mac application, provides a solution to this common issue. The software intelligently adapts to your preferred brightness settings for both dark and light environments.
It then automatically modifies the display brightness as you switch between these different window types, functioning much like an equalizer for your screen.
Initial Setup of Lumen
As Lumen is a relatively recent development, the initial configuration process can present some challenges. The following provides a concise guide to assist with setup.
The application observes your manual brightness adjustments and learns your preferences over time. This ensures a seamless and personalized experience.
Lumen aims to eliminate the need for constant manual adjustments, providing a more comfortable and efficient workflow.
Installing Lumen on macOS
A prerequisite for a straightforward Lumen installation is Homebrew. If you haven't already, refer to our guide detailing how to install Homebrew and Homebrew Cask. This will simplify the process considerably.
After Homebrew is set up, launch the Terminal application (located in Applications > Utilities) and execute the subsequent command to begin Lumen's installation:
brew cask install lumenThis method is highly suggested for its convenience. However, an alternative exists for those who prefer to avoid using Homebrew.
A binary download is available as an alternative installation route. Simply download the ZIP archive and then move the application to your Applications folder. This follows the standard macOS application installation procedure.
The application can then be launched from the Applications folder, completing the installation process.
Initial Setup for Lumen
Regardless of the installation method used for Lumen, simply double-clicking the application will not initiate its operation. This is due to the fact that, currently, Lumen lacks a developer key for execution. macOS employs security measures that, by default, restrict the running of unapproved software.
To circumvent this, right-click on the Lumen application icon and select "Open" from the context menu.
A dialog box will then appear, prompting you to confirm whether you wish to proceed with running the program.
Confirm your intention by clicking "Open". This action will grant Lumen permission to run, and you will not be prompted again in the future.
Before proceeding further, a preliminary configuration step is required: the disabling of the "Automatically adjust brightness" feature within your macOS settings. Navigate to your system preferences, then select "Display".
Ensure that the "Automatically adjust brightness" option is deactivated.
Leaving this setting enabled will prevent Lumen from functioning correctly; therefore, completing this step is essential.
Training Lumen for Personalized Brightness Adjustment
The installation process may have presented some challenges. However, utilizing Lumen is remarkably straightforward once it’s set up.
The application features a minimal graphical user interface, primarily consisting of a menu bar icon for toggling its functionality.
Given the limited number of settings, how is Lumen effectively employed? Simply continue to adjust your screen brightness as you normally would. Increase the brightness when viewing dark windows that lack visibility, and decrease it when bright windows cause glare.
Lumen observes your adjustments, learns your preferred brightness levels, and subsequently automates this process.
Initially, the automatic adjustments might not appear to function correctly. However, over time, Lumen will adapt to your usage patterns and refine its adjustments accordingly. Feel free to manually adjust the brightness as you transition between dark and light windows.
Furthermore, don't hesitate to deactivate the program when it’s not needed. While beneficial for focused work, it can be disruptive for activities like watching films. Utilize the menu bar icon to “Stop” Lumen when automatic adjustments are undesirable.