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Cover image for I Built FocusedMind - A Chrome Extension That Helps You Focus
Ashik
Ashik

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I Built FocusedMind - A Chrome Extension That Helps You Focus

Let's be honest - how many times have you started working on something important, only to find yourself scrolling through social media 10 minutes later? Or opened a new tab to "quickly check" something and ended up in a 2-hour YouTube rabbit hole?

I've been there. We've all been there.

Most website blockers say "NO" and leave you staring at a blank screen, feeling frustrated. But what if there was a better way?

Introducing FocusedMind 🚀

FocusedMind isn't just another website blocker - it's your focus coach that helps you build better concentration habits through positive reinforcement and real-time feedback.

The Features That Matter

Category blocking: You can block sites based on category, like Social Media, News, Entertainment and Adult Content. Based on category selection, the extension will show you a warning on the blocked sites.

Custom URLs: The list of sites is pre-defined to keep the extension simple and skip the API call. So, in case of a custom URL, you've the option to block in the custom URL option.

Whitelist mode: Only allow essential sites during focus time

  • Real-Time Feedback
  • Real-Time Live distraction counter
  • Dynamic efficiency rating
  • Motivational messaging based on your performance

Why I Built This 🛠️

As a developer, I know a bunch of productivity software with a lot of features, and they all felt punitive. They'd block a site and make me feel bad about it. Also, I felt lost in the features. So I wanted something that:

  • Encourages growth instead of punishment
  • Provides insights into my focus patterns
  • Celebrates progress rather than highlighting failures
  • Adapts to my needs instead of being rigid

Under the Hood ⚙️

Built with modern Chrome Extension Manifest V3:

  • Background Service Worker for persistent session management
  • Content Scripts for real-time website blocking
  • Smart URL parsing handles various formats automatically
  • Chrome Storage API for seamless data persistence

Ready to Try?

-- Install FocusedMind on Chrome, use it, and leave your feedback.
-- Share with your team and help others find focus to

Heads-up: Chrome may show a warning during installation since FocusedMind is still new on the store. Rest assured — this extension runs locally, makes no API calls, and does not collect any user data. Your privacy and focus are fully respected.

I'll be sharing my journey of building this extension soon. So if you're a dev with an idea and decent JavaScript chops, you'll see how visualization turns into execution.

Comment below with your feedback, suggestions, and features you think will add value.

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