Freedom?

KINDAYou can build the valuable core, but the established product has meaningful operational complexity. Pick one narrow promise for v1.

BUILD FIRST

One specific customer type and one primary use case
A vertical slice that completes the main job without manual workarounds
Visible limits, review steps, and a fallback when an external dependency fails

LEAVE FOR LATER

Broad third-party integrations
High-scale collaboration, syncing, and permissions
Automation that can cause harm without human review

RESEARCH NOTES

What this tool actually does.

Checked 2026-09-06

Freedom (freedom.to) is a cross-platform distraction-blocking productivity app for Mac, Windows, iOS, Android, and Chromebook. Users block distracting apps, websites, or the entire internet using unlimited custom blocklists or preset lists, then start timed sessions that can sync across multiple devices. Free tier covers basic blocking and focus sounds; Premium adds advance and recurring scheduling, Locked Mode (prevents quitting early), unlimited sessions over 2 hours, website exceptions (allowlist-only) on desktop, and unlimited devices. It is positioned as a habit-building and pre-commitment tool rather than a simple site blocker.

SOURCES

RESEARCHED BUILD PROMPT

Give this to your coding agent.

Build a local-first distraction-blocking utility inspired by Freedom's core workflow, but with entirely original branding, name, and UI. Workflow: 1) user adds website URL patterns and/or selects installed desktop apps to block; 2) groups them into named blocklists; 3) starts a timed session (minutes) with optional Locked Mode; 4) while active, all listed sites and apps are system-wide inaccessible; 5) optional scheduled/recurring sessions auto-start at set times; 6) optional “allowlist only” mode that blocks all except specified sites. User-facing requirements: simple settings screen with list editors and preset categories (social, news, entertainment), per-session countdown timer, Locked Mode requiring typing a confirmation phrase (e.g., “focus”) to quit early, schedule configuration, and a system tray with quick start/stop. Technical requirements: cross-platform desktop MVP (Windows/macOS/Linux). Block websites via a local DNS proxy (or /etc/hosts fallback) run by a background daemon; block apps via OS process enumeration and kill/prevention (macOS: launchd/NSWorkspace, Windows: taskkill and scheduled-task policy). Use Tauri or Electron frontend with a Rust/Go daemon, store blocklists and schedules in local JSON/SQLite, provide a CLI for scripting. Implementation notes: bind the blocking proxy to 127.0.0.1 and set OS DNS to it; for HTTPS, use a transparent proxy with a locally installed self-signed cert and document the trade-off, or accept /etc/hosts limits (no IP-literal or DoH protection). Out of scope: cloud sync, subscription/billing, mobile apps, browser extensions, ML, analytics, or social/community features. Keep UI simple and neutral—do not copy Freedom's name, logo, color palette, layout, or copy. Deliver a README with per-OS setup (daemon install, admin/network permissions), build/run instructions, and explicit limitations: DNS/hosts blocking is bypassable via VPN or DoH, app blocking requires admin privileges, and determined users can still circumvent. Mention the original product “Freedom” only as conceptual inspiration, not as a dependency or reference implementation.

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