Freedom

Cross-device website and app blocking for focused work

KINDA · partial replacement
price $3.33/mosubscription / year $39.96estimated build time multi-dayreplaced by 0 people

The visible distraction blocking loop is buildable, but a credible replacement needs more than the first screen. Freedom earns its keep through polish, OS integration, so expect a weekend or multi-day build and a narrower personal scope.

Build verification: not recorded. How we judge buildability

What you give up

  • polished shortcuts and accessibility
  • vendor-maintained updates
  • cross-device sync
  • deep operating-system edge-case coverage

Why people still pay

Freedom: People keep paying because a utility used dozens of times a day must be instant, predictable, and compatible with every OS update.

Your build guide

The stack, security requirements, and agent rules for a focused replacement.

Before you start

  • Node and the Rust toolchain, a supported desktop build environment and an explicitly selected data folder. Remote sync is outside the initial scope.
  • Implementation components: Tauri, React and TypeScript for the desktop interface with a narrowly scoped Rust filesystem bridge. SQLite for structured state and search; user-owned files for original documents and attachments.
  • Scope boundary: Cross-device blocking and tamper-proof locked mode are outside scope.
01
Tauri, React and TypeScript for the desktop interface with a narrowly scoped Rust filesystem bridge.
02
SQLite for structured state and search; user-owned files for original documents and attachments.
03
Domain model: focus sessions, explicit blocklists, supported OS adapter actions, schedules and restoration receipts
engineering roadmap

Implementation plan

1

Phase 1

Scope and fixtures. Implement this bounded workflow: Run a focus timer with a user-approved list of blocked sites or apps using one documented OS integration. Show exactly what will change, provide an emergency stop and restore the prior configuration at session end. Record prerequisites, select representative user-owned fixtures and document the unsupported features: Cross-device blocking and tamper-proof locked mode are outside scope.

2

Phase 2

Durable model. Model focus sessions, explicit blocklists, supported OS adapter actions, schedules and restoration receipts Add migrations or a versioned document format, explicit validation, stable IDs and a visible import-error report. Preserve this rule: Never overwrite unrelated host/network settings or lock the user out of recovery; unsupported OS blocking is labeled instead of simulated.

3

Phase 3

Complete the first useful path. Implement the workflow's input, review and output interface, with clear controls and explicit empty/error states. Save edits atomically with stable IDs and revision history. Detect external file changes and offer a conflict copy instead of last-write-wins data loss.

4

Phase 4

Permissions and integration failure. Limit Tauri capabilities to selected folders and commands. Render imported content without executable HTML, and never expose arbitrary shell execution to the webview. Request integration credentials and permissions only for the enabled feature; show a disconnected state instead of mock results.

5

Phase 5

Portable handoff. Provide a portable folder export with a JSON manifest and original files. Restore to a separate folder; rebuild disposable indexes from sources. Include setup, operating limits, fixture walkthrough and shutdown/restart instructions in the README.

6

Phase 6

Acceptance scenarios. Crash during a focus session and recover the prior settings on restart; stopping one session removes only rules it created. Repeat the workflow after restart and with a denied permission or unavailable dependency; show recoverable failure rather than a success placeholder.

the pro prompt
download AGENTS.md
WORKING SLICE
Run a focus timer with a user-approved list of blocked sites or apps using one documented OS integration. Show exactly what will change, provide an emergency stop and restore the prior configuration at session end.

Build this scoped Freedom-inspired workflow with a documented data model and visible failure states.

Architecture
- Tauri, React and TypeScript for the desktop interface with a narrowly scoped Rust filesystem bridge.
- SQLite for structured state and search; user-owned files for original documents and attachments.

Prerequisites and limits
Node and the Rust toolchain, a supported desktop build environment and an explicitly selected data folder. Remote sync is outside the initial scope.
Outside this release: Cross-device blocking and tamper-proof locked mode are outside scope.

Data model and correctness
focus sessions, explicit blocklists, supported OS adapter actions, schedules and restoration receipts
Invariant: Never overwrite unrelated host/network settings or lock the user out of recovery; unsupported OS blocking is labeled instead of simulated.
Save edits atomically with stable IDs and revision history. Detect external file changes and offer a conflict copy instead of last-write-wins data loss.

Security and privacy
Limit Tauri capabilities to selected folders and commands. Render imported content without executable HTML, and never expose arbitrary shell execution to the webview.

Recovery and export
Provide a portable folder export with a JSON manifest and original files. Restore to a separate folder; rebuild disposable indexes from sources.

Implementation order
1. Phase 1 — Scope and fixtures. Implement this bounded workflow: Run a focus timer with a user-approved list of blocked sites or apps using one documented OS integration. Show exactly what will change, provide an emergency stop and restore the prior configuration at session end. Record prerequisites, select representative user-owned fixtures and document the unsupported features: Cross-device blocking and tamper-proof locked mode are outside scope.
2. Phase 2 — Durable model. Model focus sessions, explicit blocklists, supported OS adapter actions, schedules and restoration receipts Add migrations or a versioned document format, explicit validation, stable IDs and a visible import-error report. Preserve this rule: Never overwrite unrelated host/network settings or lock the user out of recovery; unsupported OS blocking is labeled instead of simulated.
3. Phase 3 — Complete the first useful path. Implement the workflow's input, review and output interface, with clear controls and explicit empty/error states. Save edits atomically with stable IDs and revision history. Detect external file changes and offer a conflict copy instead of last-write-wins data loss.
4. Phase 4 — Permissions and integration failure. Limit Tauri capabilities to selected folders and commands. Render imported content without executable HTML, and never expose arbitrary shell execution to the webview. Request integration credentials and permissions only for the enabled feature; show a disconnected state instead of mock results.
5. Phase 5 — Portable handoff. Provide a portable folder export with a JSON manifest and original files. Restore to a separate folder; rebuild disposable indexes from sources. Include setup, operating limits, fixture walkthrough and shutdown/restart instructions in the README.
6. Phase 6 — Acceptance scenarios. Crash during a focus session and recover the prior settings on restart; stopping one session removes only rules it created. Repeat the workflow after restart and with a denied permission or unavailable dependency; show recoverable failure rather than a success placeholder.

Acceptance
Crash during a focus session and recover the prior settings on restart; stopping one session removes only rules it created.
Use real source data or clearly labeled fixtures. Explain unsupported input and provider failures; do not fabricate analytics, delivery receipts, accuracy claims or security guarantees.

Optional agent guidance
Optional external skill: [vercel-react-best-practices](https://github.com/vercel-labs/agent-skills/blob/main/skills/react-best-practices/SKILL.md) — Improve React and Next.js data fetching, rendering, bundle size and server performance. Review its instructions and compatibility before use; it does not grant deployment, data-access or publication permission.
Optional external skill: [web-design-guidelines](https://github.com/vercel-labs/agent-skills/blob/main/skills/web-design-guidelines/SKILL.md) — Review web interfaces for accessibility, keyboard focus, forms, navigation and interaction quality. Review its instructions and compatibility before use; it does not grant deployment, data-access or publication permission.
Optional external skill: [sharp-edges](https://github.com/trailofbits/skills/blob/main/plugins/sharp-edges/skills/sharp-edges/SKILL.md) — Review security-sensitive APIs and configuration for dangerous defaults and easy-to-misuse interfaces. Review its instructions and compatibility before use; it does not grant deployment, data-access or publication permission.
Project rule — data model: focus sessions, explicit blocklists, supported OS adapter actions, schedules and restoration receipts
Project rule — preserve this invariant: Never overwrite unrelated host/network settings or lock the user out of recovery; unsupported OS blocking is labeled instead of simulated.
Project rule — acceptance evidence: Crash during a focus session and recover the prior settings on restart; stopping one session removes only rules it created.

$ open in your agent (prompt prefilled, you press enter), copy the prompt or copy or download AGENTS.md

share on X ↗

Alternatives to building your own

Apple Screen TimeAlready installed on Apple devices, syncs limits, and is easier to override than Freedom.$0free↗ScreenZenApp and site blocking across phones and desktops, paid for by donations instead of guilt.$0free↗

no votes, no pay-to-list · just what's real

Freedom pricing

planmonthlyannual (per mo)what you get
free$0$0Unlimited devices, cross-device sync, and custom blocklists; the public page does not state a numeric session-count or duration cap.
premium$8.99$3.33Unlimited blocking sessions, including sessions longer than 2 hours, across all supported devices.Annual price is approximately $39.99/year; 7-day trial.
forever——Lifetime Premium access across supported devices.Current one-time promotional price $99.50; regular price shown as $199.

free tierUnlimited devices, cross-device sync, and custom blocklists; numeric session limits are not published.

billingmonthly + annual + lifetime; 7-day Premium trial

hidden costsThe $3.33 figure on file is the annual-billing equivalent, not the month-to-month price of $8.99. The $99.50 lifetime price is a current 50%-off promotion rather than the displayed $199 regular price.

pricing sources checked 2026-08-14 · pricing source ↗

Questions about Freedom

Can you build your own Freedom with AI?

Partly. The visible distraction blocking loop is buildable, but a credible replacement needs more than the first screen. Freedom earns its keep through polish, OS integration, so expect a weekend or multi-day build and a narrower personal scope.

What does the Freedom build prompt cover?

The prompt starts with this scope: Run a focus timer with a user-approved list of blocked sites or apps using one documented OS integration. Show exactly what will change, provide an emergency stop and restore the prior configuration at session end. Full-product capabilities excluded from the comparison include: polished shortcuts and accessibility; vendor-maintained updates; cross-device sync. Follow the implementation plan and its prerequisites before expanding the build.

How do I use the prompt, AGENTS.md and agent skills?

Start with the Freedom prerequisites and stack, then copy the prompt into your coding agent. Save the project rules as AGENTS.md in the project root. Linked skills are optional packages or source instructions for specific tasks; review their current contents and install only those matching the chosen stack. A skill does not supply API credentials or verify the finished app.

How long will this Freedom project take?

The catalogue estimate is multi-day for the limited scope. Setup, integration approvals, debugging, deployment and ongoing maintenance can add time. This is an estimate, not a delivery guarantee.

What would I give up by replacing Freedom?

polished shortcuts and accessibility; vendor-maintained updates; cross-device sync; deep operating-system edge-case coverage. Freedom: People keep paying because a utility used dozens of times a day must be instant, predictable, and compatible with every OS update.

What price is this guide comparing against?

The recorded Premium plan is $3.33/mo (annual-equivalent individual subscription), checked 2026-07-31. Check the linked pricing source before buying. Building your own also has hosting, API and maintenance costs; the recorded amount is not a guaranteed saving.

What can I use instead of building Freedom?

Apple Screen Time: Already installed on Apple devices, syncs limits, and is easier to override than Freedom. ScreenZen: App and site blocking across phones and desktops, paid for by donations instead of guilt. Check each option's license, hosting needs and feature limits.

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