Running sikuli in background

see https://answers.launchpad.net/sikuli/+question/177271

If OP meant sharing the machine to both run automation and use for daily work tasks (not dedicated machine), then it is possible with some restrictions/limitations, though I haven't fully tested myself to confirm:

* use multi-monitor setup. Dedicate one monitor (i.e. screen) for Sikuli automation. It would be most simplest to dedicate the default main screen 0 (the one with start menu), and just use the other screen(s) to do your daily work.

* avoid use of any Sikuli commands that invoke the mouse, and also keyboard (type/keypresses) as well. But definitely the mouse.

* Sikuli commands that do not utilize keyboard/mouse are ok to use - e.g. find image, check that image exists, wait for image, etc.

But as always, it is best to have a dedicated machine to run Sikuli automation to not impede on your own work as well as potentially mess up any automation.

Another workaround might be running a guest virtual machine (VM) on your physical host computer and run Sikuli automation on the guest, while working on your host. Done properly the guest is separate from your host, and also doesn't need to be active on your screen, could be minimized, etc. as long as the VM is running and VM desktop is "logged in". But the VM approach has it own issues of VM support with Sikuli, and there will be performance degradation to running things including automation within a VM.