selfcontrolapp/selfcontrol

:skull: Mac app to block your own access to distracting websites etc for a predetermined period of time. It can not be undone by the app or by a restart –...

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Summary Information

Updated 30 minutes ago
Added to GitGenius on September 15th, 2026
Created on March 26th, 2009
Open Issues & Pull Requests: 307 (+0)
GitHub issues: Enabled
Number of forks: 463
Total Stargazers: 4,400 (+0)
Total Subscribers: 78 (+0)

Repository Insights (GitGenius)

Median issue/PR response: 39.5 days
Mean response time: 244.7 days
90th percentile: 600.2 days
Tracked items: 52

Most active contributors

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How this project is maintained

96% of open issues come from outside the core team, so the backlog reflects real-world use rather than internal planning. Three people close 82% of everything that gets resolved.

Charts & Analytics

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Issue Activity (beta)

Open issues: 46
New in 7 days: 0
Closed in 7 days: 0
Avg open age: 1,229 days
Stale 30+ days: 43
Stale 90+ days: 41

Recent activity

Opened in 7 days: 0
Closed in 7 days: 0
Comments in 7 days: 0
Events in 7 days: 0

Top labels

  • enhancement (23)
  • bug (22)

Most active issues this week

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Detailed Description

Self Control is a Mac application that blocks access to distracting websites for a predetermined duration with no ability to undo the restriction through the app or system restart.

The tool addresses procrastination and distraction by enforcing a commitment device that cannot be circumvented. Once a user sets a timer and specifies websites to block, the application prevents access to those sites until the timer expires. The blocking mechanism is designed to be irreversible during the active period, forcing users to wait out the duration rather than relying on willpower alone or technical workarounds like restarting their machine.

Self Control suits developers and knowledge workers who struggle with website-based distractions and need a hard constraint to maintain focus during work sessions. It works best for users who can tolerate a fixed blocking period and want a simple, no-nonsense approach without complex configuration. The application is macOS-specific, so adoption depends on using that platform.

The project shows signs of long-term maintenance with ongoing bug fixes and updates to address compatibility issues as the macOS environment evolves. The codebase receives attention to keep the application functional across system updates. Development activity indicates a commitment to preserving the tool's core functionality rather than expanding it with new features.