How we solved the problem
Context
After a MacBook battery replacement, heat concerns triggered a search for battery protection workflows similar to AlDente.
The project became a developer exploration into how far Node.js can go for system-level battery behavior.
The challenge
- • Needed practical battery safety reminders without deep OS integration.
- • Node.js cannot directly invoke kernel-level hardware control.
- • A useful fallback needed to remain lightweight and easy to run.
Execution
1. Reverse-engineered product intent
- • Studied AlDente's charge limiting and thermal protection model.
- • Defined a smaller achievable scope: high-signal battery notifications.
2. Designed around Node.js constraints
- • Used battery-level and is-charging for runtime battery state checks.
- • Used node-notifier for non-intrusive desktop prompts.
3. Implemented threshold-driven monitoring
- • Triggered unplug reminder at 80% while charging.
- • Triggered low-power prompt below 40% while discharging.
- • Scheduled periodic checks every five minutes.
What changed
- • Produced a practical charge-discipline assistant for everyday usage.
- • Confirmed Node.js is suitable for alerting workflows, not direct battery control.
- • Clarified that full AlDente-like behavior requires lower-level system access.
What's next
- • Add user-configurable thresholds and silent-hour windows.
- • Explore native module or Rust companion for deeper OS hooks.