I recently released the newest app in my little collection of indie macOS apps. This one is pretty niche, but honestly, I think it might be one of my favorite things I’ve built so far.
It’s called ScreenEra.
ScreenEra is a calming, gamified screen-time companion for macOS. It tracks the time you spend on your computer, but instead of making screen time feel like some cold productivity statistic, it turns it into something a little more atmospheric, playful, and rewarding. The app pairs your screen-time tracking with ambient backgrounds, animated scenes, and soundscapes. It also includes XP, badges, and small progression systems that make your time at the computer feel a bit more like a game. Pretty cool, right?
There are different universes to choose from.
The original six are:
- Corporate: Clean, polished, and focused.
- Fantasy: A softer, magical atmosphere for cozy work sessions.
- Cyber: Neon, futuristic, and a little dramatic.
- Arcade: Bright, playful, and game-like.
- Space: Quiet, cosmic, and floaty.
- Cozy: Warm, calm, and gentle.
Each universe comes with its own still background, animated background, and audio soundscape.
Now this is where the currency comes in...
I created an in-app currency called Era Coins. As you use ScreenEra and spend time in different sessions, you can earn Era Coins. Those coins can then be used inside the app to unlock more visual themes, backgrounds, soundscapes, and little customization pieces.
I wanted the currency to feel fun, but not manipulative.
I didn’t want it to be some aggressive mobile game economy where everything is designed to pressure you. ScreenEra is still supposed to feel calm. The currency is there to add progression, personality, and a little “ooh, I want to unlock that next” energy.
Basically, I wanted to make screen-time tracking feel less like punishment and more like collecting little rewards for simply showing up. That’s been one of the bigger themes of ScreenEra as a whole:
What if tracking your computer time didn’t feel judgmental?
Most screen-time tools are built around guilt. They tell you that you’ve been on your computer too long. They show you the numbers, make you feel bad, and then expect that shame to magically turn into discipline.
I wanted ScreenEra to feel different.
- A little softer.
- A little prettier.
- A little more game-like.
- A little more forgiving.
Because for a lot of us, our computers are where we work, create, write, code, design, build, research, and unwind. Screen time is not always the enemy. Sometimes it’s where your life is happening.
So instead of treating every minute like a failure, ScreenEra tries to turn those minutes into something you can actually see, hear, collect, and shape.
Era Coins are part of that.
They give the app a small economy, a sense of progression, and a reason to come back and keep customizing your little screen-time universe.
ScreenEra is available now as part of my indie macOS app collection.
It’s currently free / pay what you want, and if you enjoy it, support is always deeply appreciated. Every download, share, donation, comment, or bit of feedback helps me keep building these strange little Mac apps.
I’m still early in this whole indie app journey, but ScreenEra feels like one of those projects where I can really see the personality starting to come through.
And honestly... Era Coins might be one of my favorite parts so far.
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