Inside the front cover: the library’s bookplate and a date due slip.
Kiwi’s Library Book 6 of 7
Focus
Protect your attention
Friction for your phone, a block for your computer, a timer, and company when you cannot start alone.
3 chapters, 8 tools
Start with one bookmark
Pick the one that sounds like tonight.
Contents
Each chapter is one job, cheapest first.
Bookmark 1 of 3
If your phone eats the evening
Make the phone slower to open, not impossible.
Tonight, only this
Install ScreenZen and add the one app you open without thinking.
The tools for this bookmark
-
Free
ScreenZen (opens in a new tab)
Puts a pause and a question in front of the apps you choose.
Free, exactly: Everything, on iPhone, Android and Mac.
-
Free tier
one sec (opens in a new tab)
Makes you take a breath before a distracting app opens.
Free, exactly: One app.
-
Free
Pomofocus (opens in a new tab)
A 25-minute work timer in a browser tab.
Free, exactly: The timer and a simple task list.
Bookmark 2 of 3
If you study at a computer full of tabs
Block the worst sites, then work in short sessions.
Tonight, only this
Block your three worst sites until bedtime, then start one 25-minute session.
The tools for this bookmark
-
Free
LeechBlock NG (opens in a new tab)
A browser extension that blocks the sites you choose, when you choose.
Free, exactly: Everything, in Firefox, Chrome and Edge.
-
Free
Pomofocus (opens in a new tab)
A 25-minute work timer in a browser tab.
Free, exactly: The timer and a simple task list.
-
Free tier
Cold Turkey Blocker (opens in a new tab)
A whole-computer blocker that is hard to switch off mid-block.
Free, exactly: Website blocking, timed blocks and statistics. Pro adds app blocking, schedules and locks.
Windows and Mac onlyCheck the price
Bookmark 3 of 3
If you cannot make yourself start
Make starting smaller and less lonely.
Tonight, only this
Book one 25-minute Focusmate session for tomorrow.
The tools for this bookmark
-
Free tier
Focusmate (opens in a new tab)
A 25, 50 or 75-minute video session with someone else who is working.
Free, exactly: 3 sessions a week.
-
Free
Pomofocus (opens in a new tab)
A 25-minute work timer in a browser tab.
Free, exactly: The timer and a simple task list.
-
Free
ScreenZen (opens in a new tab)
Puts a pause and a question in front of the apps you choose.
Free, exactly: Everything, on iPhone, Android and Mac.
Chapter 1
Slow down your phone
A few seconds of pause is often enough.
The price ladder
Slow down your phone
-
Free
ScreenZen (opens in a new tab)
Puts a pause and a question in front of the apps you choose.
- Use it for
- Breaking the social media reflex.
- Costs
- Free, with optional tips.
- Free, exactly
- Everything, on iPhone, Android and Mac.
It adds friction; it does not lock you out.
Checked Nov 2026
-
Free tier
one sec (opens in a new tab)
Makes you take a breath before a distracting app opens.
- Use it for
- A gentler ScreenZen.
- Costs
- Pro is $19 a year, half price for students.
- Free, exactly
- One app.
Checked Nov 2026
-
Free tier
Freedom (opens in a new tab)
Blocks sites and apps on your computer and phone at once.
- Use it for
- When your phone is where the evening goes.
- Costs
- Premium is $8.99 a month, $39.96 a year, or $99.50 once.
- Free, exactly
- A limited number of blocking sessions.
Check the price
The free session limit is not published.
Checked Nov 2026
Chapter 2
Block the computer
Pick a blocker strong enough for your worst evening.
The price ladder
Block the computer
-
Free
LeechBlock NG (opens in a new tab)
A browser extension that blocks the sites you choose, when you choose.
- Use it for
- Stopping the reflex of opening a feed.
- Costs
- Free and open source.
- Free, exactly
- Everything, in Firefox, Chrome and Edge.
Checked Nov 2026
-
Free tier
Cold Turkey Blocker (opens in a new tab)
A whole-computer blocker that is hard to switch off mid-block.
- Use it for
- When an extension is too easy to disable.
- Costs
- Pro is a one-time payment.
- Free, exactly
- Website blocking, timed blocks and statistics. Pro adds app blocking, schedules and locks.
Windows and Mac onlyCheck the price
No Linux, ChromeOS or phone version.
The Pro price is not published.
Checked Nov 2026
-
Free tier
Freedom (opens in a new tab)
Blocks sites and apps on your computer and phone at once.
- Use it for
- When your phone is where the evening goes.
- Costs
- Premium is $8.99 a month, $39.96 a year, or $99.50 once.
- Free, exactly
- A limited number of blocking sessions.
Check the price
The free session limit is not published.
Checked Nov 2026
Chapter 3
Work in sessions, or with company
Short sessions you finish beat long ones you abandon.
The price ladder
Work in sessions, or with company
-
Free
Pomofocus (opens in a new tab)
A 25-minute work timer in a browser tab.
- Use it for
- Starting.
- Costs
- Free. No account needed.
- Free, exactly
- The timer and a simple task list.
Checked Nov 2026
-
Free tier
Focusmate (opens in a new tab)
A 25, 50 or 75-minute video session with someone else who is working.
- Use it for
- Starting when you cannot start alone.
- Costs
- Plus is $8 a month billed yearly, or $12 monthly.
- Free, exactly
- 3 sessions a week.
Needs a camera.
Checked Nov 2026
At the back
About this book
Prices are in US dollars, checked in November 2026. They change and vary by country.
Tools are ordered by what they cost each month to use at all. No affiliate links, no paid places.
Inside the back cover.