MacBook Notch Turned into Claude Code Approval Button
zack40xx · reddit · 2026-07-11
The author transformed the MacBook notch into an Allow/Deny button for Claude Code, solving the issue of tasks hanging when Claude requests permission while the user is away from the window.
Solution
- While awaiting approval, the notch area displays the current session status and allows direct click to allow or deny
- Uses a PreToolUse hook to block execution
- Writes decisions via Crest
- Combines heartbeat and timeout fallback to prevent the CLI from hanging if the app isn't running
- Can also display the active session's repository, latest actions, and token usage, and renders actual options for AskUserQuestion
Process
- This feature was largely built using Claude Code itself
- The author noted that the approval feature went from idea to launch in just 1 day of pair sessions
- The hook's "block-poll-heartbeat" design was iteratively refined in a real terminal environment
Product Info
- This is the Code mode of the author's custom Mac notch app, Crest
- The base version is free forever with full features open for the first 7 days, no credit card required
- Project URL: crestnotch.app
More from coding & agent
- A roundup of AI agents and MCP resources, including how to evaluate agents — _jaydeepkarale · 2026-07-21
- Anthropic shares a masterclass on how it builds AI agents — _jaydeepkarale · 2026-07-21
- Anthropic masterclass spotlights how to build and observe AI agents — _jaydeepkarale · 2026-07-21
- A beginner guide to AI agents points readers to a Stanford webinar — _jaydeepkarale · 2026-07-21
- A full course shows how to build and deploy an AI agent with OpenAI and LangChain — _jaydeepkarale · 2026-07-21
- A practical guide on how to evaluate AI agents — _jaydeepkarale · 2026-07-21