● Private by design · Built for macOS

Bring your
attention back
without a fight.

Every app switch does not need a block. Distraction Alert gives attention room to wander, then offers a clear and kind way back to the work you chose.

Choose your focus apps. Work in the tools that matter without maintaining huge blocklists.

Set your drift allowance. Pick any grace period from 1 to 240 minutes.

Return in one click. Jump straight back to the primary work app.

Download for Mac → Free preview · Apple Silicon · macOS 13+
✦✦✦
● ● ●Distraction Alert
FOCUSING INXcode
24:18

Allowed Focus Apps3

XXcode RETURN TARGET
BBooks Set target
SSafari Set target
24:18
You chose to return.
Let’s keep going.
Everyreturncounts
“A grace period, not a wall.” ✦ “No screenshots. No account.” ✦ “A visible path back to focus.” ✦ “On-device coaching.” ✦
A simple feedback loop

How to use your focus companion.

Choose where work happens, decide how much drift is okay, and let the companion handle the reminder.

XBS
Step 1

Pick your focus apps

Select the apps that count as intentional work.

5MIN
Step 2

Set a drift allowance

Choose a preset or any value up to 240 minutes.

●
Step 3

Notice the drift

The timer changes state while the allowance counts down.

↗
Step 4

Return gently

Use one click to reopen the chosen focus target.

Your rules, your pace

Choose how your companion responds.

Keep it quiet, add a supportive bubble, or let the on-device voice speak.

◷

Visual timer only

A compact timer that stays above your windows without blocking work.

“ ”

Supportive coaching

Short prompts at meaningful transitions and focus milestones.

≋

On-device voice

Optional local speech with no cloud activity analysis.

Built for real work

A small companion with one clear job.

Distraction Alert stays out of the way until attention needs a useful cue.

“

See focus, drift, alert, and snooze states at a glance.

Live state
“

Use a known app allowlist instead of asking AI to judge a screen.

Deterministic
“

Keep the timer fixed while a separate bubble appears below.

Stable UI
“

Return directly to the chosen primary focus app.

One-click return
1–240minute drift allowance
0screenshots captured
✦
Room to wander

A timer that respects context.

Opening another app is not automatically failure. Give research, messages, or a short break an intentional allowance, then receive a cue only when that allowance is used.

Try it on your Mac →
The Focus Buddy

Expression without judgment.

The companion changes with your state: bright while focused, concerned while drifting, urgent after the limit, and quiet while snoozed. The language stays brief and supportive.

Download free →
What the design protects

A gentler relationship with attention.

Visible awarenessLess alarm fatigueMore autonomyPrivate by defaultAn easier return
Made for app-based workflows

Where Distraction Alert fits.

⌘

Development

Keep Xcode, Terminal, documentation, and design tools inside one focus set.

✎

Writing

Notice when a quick lookup turns into a longer trip away from the draft.

▤

Study

Use a generous allowance for research without losing the main session.

◉

Deep work

Keep one timer visible across desktops, full-screen apps, and monitors.

☼

ADHD support

Externalize elapsed time with shame-free prompts instead of lockouts.

Privacy is a feature

Your attention data stays on your Mac.

Distraction Alert reads the identity of the active application. It does not need screenshots, browser history, page content, an account, or a cloud classifier.

  • No screen recording
  • No browser-content inspection
  • No uploaded activity history
  • No account or analytics SDK
✓
Good to know

Questions before downloading.

Does Distraction Alert block apps or websites?+

No. It compares the active app with your focus allowlist and gives you a configurable grace period. You remain in control.

Does the app capture the screen?+

No. It uses the active macOS application identity. It does not capture screenshots, read page content, or inspect browser history.

What Mac is supported?+

The current preview supports Apple Silicon Macs running macOS 13 Ventura or later.

Why can macOS show a security warning?+

The independent preview is ad-hoc signed rather than Apple-notarized. Move it to Applications, Control-click the app, choose Open, and confirm Open.

Is the companion voice on-device?+

Yes. The app uses a local natural speech runtime when available and falls back to the built-in macOS voice.

No commitment required

Try a kinder way back to focus.

Free preview. No account. No screenshots. Delete it whenever you like.

Download for Mac →10 MB ZIP · Apple Silicon · macOS 13+