User guide
Start simple. Protect the apps that matter. Adjust only when you need to.
Start here
The easiest way to use Aion is to begin with the defaults, then customize only the apps that need it.
Keep Auto-Quit on, leave the timeout at 15 minutes, and wait until you notice a real edge case before adding extra rules.
After you move an app into /Applications, Aion can quietly eject leftover installer DMGs in the background, including old Aion mounts from previous installs.
Daily behavior
This one setting decides how Aion treats apps you have not configured yet.
Best if you usually leave many apps open and want Aion to clean them up automatically.
Unlisted apps can be closed once they are truly idle, unless something is actively protecting them such as playback, downloads, or mic and camera usage.
Best if you want a gentler start and prefer to choose which apps Aion manages.
Unlisted apps keep running by default. You then use blacklists, app rules, or modes for the apps you want Aion to manage more aggressively.
Aion can also close Dock apps after their last standard window disappears, with a separate exclusion list for the apps you want to keep around.
Permissions
Most people only need Accessibility first. Everything else is optional or tied to a specific feature.
Fine-tuning
App Rules are where Aion becomes more personal. You do not need many of them. You only need the right ones.
Add rules if you download large files, use different profiles, or want stricter handling for a browser you leave open all day.
Keep calls, recordings, mic use, and camera use protected so a background app is not closed at the wrong time.
Small apps such as launchers, color pickers, or snipping tools often benefit from short timeouts or Instant Task behavior.
Put them on the whitelist. This is the simplest way to stop Aion from touching an app at all.
Context switching
If your workday changes shape often, create a few modes and connect them to macOS Focus so Aion changes behavior with you.
Keep browsers, editors, and communication apps protected longer while you are actively using them.
Use more conservative cleanup so your call, recording, and supporting apps stay safe.
Use shorter timeouts to keep background clutter low when you are browsing, reading, or watching content.
Optional extras
Aion has a few extra tools for people with more complex workflows. They are optional, not required for the core product to feel useful.
A fast switcher for people who work across many windows, spaces, or displays. Helpful if you multitask heavily, easy to ignore if you do not.
Keeps settings, lists, modes, and rules aligned across Macs if you use more than one device.
After you move an app into /Applications, Aion can quietly eject the leftover installer DMG in the background and clean old Aion mounts on launch.
This is an advanced option for stronger repair and control paths. Most people should leave it alone unless they hit a specific issue that requires it.
If something feels wrong
Start with the obvious checks first: permissions, whitelists, and whether the app is still actively doing something.
Check that Auto-Quit is enabled, the app is not on the whitelist, and the timeout has actually expired. Then check whether playback, downloads, or device activity are keeping it protected.
Add it to the whitelist or create an app rule with stronger protections. Meeting apps, browsers, and utilities often need custom rules.
Open Aion once, confirm the key permissions are still granted, and only then look at advanced items such as the Helper Tool.
Enable notifications in macOS. The automation can still run even when alerts are disabled.
Support
Email your macOS version, Aion version, and clear reproduction steps so the issue can be understood quickly.
