I managed to write a simple Python script for doing exactly what I needed:

Essentially, it presses the caps-lock-key (which needs to be disabled via system settings) in random intervals, therefore imitating user interaction and preventing your mac from going to sleep, the screensaver from starting, or MS teams from showing you as "away". At the same time, this doesn't show up as an installed program so it won't raise any suspicions.

The script comprises two files, one start-stop-script and one that is responsible for the key pressing. Both files go in the same directory:

pressy.py

import time
import random
from Quartz.CoreGraphics import CGEventCreateKeyboardEvent, CGEventPost, kCGEventKeyUp, kCGEventKeyDown
from Quartz import kCGHIDEventTap

def simulate_key_press(key_code, delay=0.05):
    # Press the key
    key_down_event = CGEventCreateKeyboardEvent(None, key_code, True)
    CGEventPost(kCGHIDEventTap, key_down_event)

    # Add a small delay to simulate a real key press
    time.sleep(delay)

    # Release the key
    key_up_event = CGEventCreateKeyboardEvent(None, key_code, False)
    CGEventPost(kCGHIDEventTap, key_up_event)

if __name__ == "__main__":
    while True:
        # 57 is caps_lock
        key_code = 57

        # Generate a random interval (in seconds) for the key presses
        random_interval = random.uniform(10, 50)

        # Simulate the key press
        simulate_key_press(key_code)

        # Wait for the random interval before the next key press
        time.sleep(random_interval)

pressy

#!/usr/bin/env python3

import sys
import os
import subprocess
import signal
from pathlib import Path

pid_file = Path("pressy.pid")


def start():
    if pid_file.exists():
        print("Pressy is already running.")
        return

    script_path = Path(__file__).parent / "pressy.py"
    process = subprocess.Popen([sys.executable, str(script_path)])
    with open(pid_file, "w") as f:
        f.write(str(process.pid))
    print("Pressy has started.")


def stop():
    if not pid_file.exists():
        print("Pressy is not running.")
        return

    with open(pid_file, "r") as f:
        pid = int(f.read())
    try:
        os.kill(pid, signal.SIGTERM)
        pid_file.unlink()
        print("Pressy has stopped.")
    except ProcessLookupError:
        print("Pressy process not found. Cleaning up...")
        pid_file.unlink()


def status():
    if pid_file.exists():
        print("Pressy is running.")
    else:
        print("Pressy is not running.")


if __name__ == "__main__":
    if len(sys.argv) != 2:
        print("Usage: ./pressy <start|stop|status>")
        sys.exit(1)

    command = sys.argv[1].lower()
    if command == "start":
        start()
    elif command == "stop":
        stop()
    elif command == "status":
        status()
    else:
        print("Invalid command. Usage: ./pressy <start|stop|status>")

Requirements:

• Python 3 (built and tested with Python 3.11)
• Allow "Terminal" in the "Accessibility" settings access (Will prompt when started for the first time).

Installation:

• Install pyobjc: pip3 install pyobjc
• chmod +x pressy

Use:

• Start: ./pressy start
• Stop: ./pressy stop
• Status: ./pressy status

Currently working on a small UI that allows to control everything with a set of buttons from the taskbar