Tracks active apps across the desktop, not just one browser tab or a single website.
Open source desktop focus guard
Cat Gatekeeper keeps distracting apps on a short leash.
A practical control layer for macOS users who want app limits, screen-time evidence, soft nudges, and harder blocks without turning focus into a spreadsheet project.
Separates regular usage from video-heavy sessions so passive consumption is visible.
Uses configurable break windows and tray controls for day-to-day adjustments.
What it does
Built for people who need friction, not punishment.
App time limits
Set boundaries for specific applications and turn repeated overuse into a clear blocked state instead of another silent notification.
Usage timeline
Review active windows and time spent so the pattern is concrete before changing the rules that control it.
Video awareness
Detect media-oriented sessions and treat them differently from quick reference checks or productive browsing.
Tray settings
Keep the guard close to the operating system with quick access for schedules, thresholds, and exceptions.
Daily loop
A compact flow from observation to enforcement.
Let the desktop record real usage.
Start with evidence: active apps, focused windows, and the shape of the day.
Define limits where attention leaks.
Give heavy apps specific thresholds, break lengths, and blocking behavior.
Let the gate close at the edge.
When a limit is reached, the app becomes harder to keep using by accident.
Setup notes
Useful for a focused macOS workstation.
Permissions matter
A desktop focus tool needs the right local permissions to observe foreground activity and apply system-level friction.
Start narrow
Add one or two high-risk apps first. Tight, believable limits are easier to keep than a broad rule set created in one session.
Review weekly
Treat the data as a feedback loop. Adjust schedules when work, learning, or rest patterns change.
Why this shape
The product idea is simple: make attention visible, then make drift costly.
Without a gatekeeper
Limits live in memory, overuse is discovered late, and breaks depend on willpower.
With Cat Gatekeeper
Rules sit near the apps, usage becomes inspectable, and blocks arrive at the chosen threshold.
FAQ
Common questions
Is Cat Gatekeeper only a website blocker?
No. The concept is desktop-level app awareness and enforcement, so it is broader than a browser-only blocker.
Should every app have a limit?
No. The strongest setup usually targets a small number of attention sinks and leaves neutral tools alone.
What makes the cat metaphor useful?
It keeps the tone light while the behavior stays firm: watch the door, notice repeat escapes, and close the gate when needed.