App Time Limits¶
App time limits let you control how much time you spend in specific applications each day. Once a limit is reached, Focus blocks the application until the next day or until the limit resets.
Setting App Time Limits¶
- Open Focus settings (admin password required).
- Navigate to Productivity > App Limits.
- Click Add App to select an application from the list of installed programs.
- Set the daily time limit in hours and minutes (e.g., 1 hour 30 minutes).
- Click Save.
How Limits Work¶
- Focus tracks the total active time for each monitored application
- When you are actively using a limited app, the timer counts down
- A notification appears when you are close to reaching your limit (e.g., 5 minutes remaining)
- When the limit is reached, the application is closed or blocked
- Limits reset at midnight each day (or at your configured reset time)
Configuring Limit Behavior¶
Choose what happens when a limit is reached:
| Behavior | Description |
|---|---|
| Close app | The application is closed automatically |
| Show warning | A blocking overlay appears reminding you the limit is reached |
| Lock app | The app is prevented from launching until the limit resets |
Managing Multiple Apps¶
You can set different limits for different applications. For example:
- Social media browser: 30 minutes per day
- Video streaming: 1 hour per day
- Gaming: 2 hours per day
Start Generous
When first setting limits, start with generous allowances and gradually reduce them. Going cold turkey often leads to frustration and the temptation to bypass restrictions.
Viewing Usage¶
Check how much time you have used and how much remains:
- Click the Focus tray icon
- Select Usage Summary
- View the time used vs. time remaining for each limited app
Excluding Apps¶
Not every application needs limits. Focus only tracks applications you explicitly add. System applications, work tools, and other essential programs can be left unrestricted.
Reset Time
By default, daily limits reset at midnight. You can change the reset time in Settings > General > Daily Reset Time to better match your schedule.