[BUG] Claude Desktop (Windows) uses prevent-display-sleep instead of prevent-app-suspension, preventing monitor from turning off

Preflight Checklist

• [x] I have searched existing issues and this hasn't been reported yet
• [x] This is a single bug report (please file separate reports for different bugs)
• [x] I am using the latest version of Claude Code

What's Wrong?

Claude Desktop on Windows uses Electron's powerSaveBlocker with the prevent-display-sleep type, which prevents the display from turning off even when the Windows power plan is configured to turn off the display after a set period of inactivity.

The prevent-display-sleep type keeps both the system and the screen active, but Claude Desktop only needs the system to stay awake (e.g., for Cowork scheduled tasks). The display does not need to remain on.

Evidence

Running powercfg /energy /duration 60 produces the following error entry:

Error: System Availability Request — Execution Required
A program has requested that the system remain active.
Requesting Process: \Device\HarddiskVolume3\Program Files\WindowsApps\Claude_1.1617.0.0_x64__pzs8sxrjxfjjc\app\claude.exe

Additionally, powercfg /requests shows:

EXECUTION:
[PROCESS] \Device\HarddiskVolume3\Program Files\WindowsApps\Claude_1.1617.0.0_x64__pzs8sxrjxfjjc\app\claude.exe
Electron

The display never turns off regardless of the power plan setting (tested with 10-minute timeout on AC power, confirmed via powercfg /query that the correct value of 600 seconds is applied). Manually sending the display-off signal via SendMessage(WM_SYSCOMMAND, SC_MONITORPOWER) works fine — the display turns off and stays off — confirming the hardware and drivers are not the issue. The power save blocker from Claude Desktop is the sole cause.

What Should Happen?

Claude Desktop should use prevent-app-suspension instead of prevent-display-sleep. Per the Electron documentation:

• prevent-app-suspension: Keeps the system active but allows the screen to be turned off. Suitable for background tasks like downloading files or running scheduled tasks.
• prevent-display-sleep: Keeps both the system and the screen active. Only appropriate for video playback or similar use cases.

Since Claude Desktop needs to stay running for Cowork/scheduled tasks but does not need the display on, prevent-app-suspension is the correct type.

Error Messages/Logs

Steps to Reproduce

1. Install Claude Desktop on Windows (MSIX from Microsoft Store)
2. Set Windows power plan to turn off display after 10 minutes on AC power
3. Leave the computer idle for 10+ minutes
4. Observe that the display never turns off
5. Run powercfg /requests — observe claude.exe under EXECUTION
6. Close Claude Desktop completely
7. Wait 10 minutes — display turns off as expected

Claude Model

None

Is this a regression?

Yes, this worked in a previous version

Last Working Version

_No response_

Claude Code Version

Claude Desktop 1.1617.0 (Windows)

Platform

Anthropic API

Operating System

Ubuntu/Debian Linux

Terminal/Shell

WSL (Windows Subsystem for Linux)

Additional Information

Environment

• Claude Desktop version: 1.1617.0
• OS: Windows 11 (Build 26200)
• Hardware: Samsung Galaxy Book4 Ultra (960XFH)
• Power plan: Custom ("SAMSUNG MODE"), display off after 10 min (AC) / 3 min (DC), sleep disabled ("해당 없음")

Related Issues

• #21432 — Request to disable automatic caffeinate in Claude Code (macOS, CLI — similar concept but different platform and app)