I've tried every focus app on macOS. Freedom, Cold Turkey, SelfControl, Focus, One Sec — all of them. None of them stuck. Here's why, and what I built instead.
The Problem With Existing Focus Apps
Every distraction blocker I tried had the same fundamental flaw: they treat focus as a binary state. You're either "blocked" or you're not. But real focus doesn't work that way.
Here's what actually happens during deep work:
- You start working
- Your brain gets an urge to check something (Twitter, email, Slack)
- If the app blocks it, you feel frustrated and find a workaround
- If the app lets you through with a "are you sure?" prompt, you click yes every time
- Either way, the focus is broken
The issue isn't blocking. It's awareness.
What I Built
Monk Mode takes a different approach. Instead of just blocking, it tracks every time your brain tries to distract you during a focus session. Every URL you try to visit, every app you try to open — it logs the impulse.
At the end of a session, you get a distraction report:
- 14 times you tried to open Twitter
- 7 times you tried to check email
- 3 times you tried to open YouTube
Seeing the raw numbers is more powerful than any block. It creates self-awareness about your distraction patterns that no blocker can provide.
The Stack
- SwiftUI for the UI
- macOS Accessibility APIs for app monitoring
- Network Extension for URL tracking
- Local-first — no data leaves your machine
Key Design Decisions
Blocking + awareness, not just blocking. The app does block distractions, but the awareness layer is what actually changes behavior over time.
Session-based, not always-on. You start a session when you want to focus. No persistent background monitoring.
No subscription. $15 lifetime, or $10 with code DEV. I hate subscription fatigue for utility apps.
Results
After using it myself for 3 months:
- Average focus session went from 25 min to 52 min
- Distraction attempts dropped from ~40/session to ~12/session
- The awareness effect compounds — you start catching yourself BEFORE reaching for the distraction
What I Learned Building It
- macOS security APIs are painful. Network Extensions require special entitlements and Apple review. Took 3 weeks just to get approval.
- Users want data, not just restrictions. The distraction report is the #1 feature people mention in reviews.
- Simplicity wins. Every feature I removed made the app better.
If you struggle with focus during coding sessions, check it out at mac.monk-mode.lifestyle. Code DEV gets you $5 off.
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