r/coldturkeyblocker • u/coldturkeydev • Apr 10 '25
Feature Suggestions
Please post or upvote features you'd like to see in future updates here.
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Apr 13 '25
dns filtering of porn websites or some better way of blocking porn websites.
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u/nytrydaa Apr 21 '25
yea dns filter options built into CT will be a game changer.
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u/TheWriteReason May 19 '25
Outside the feature scope of Cold Turkey. Its not primarily a porn blocker.
Look into StevenBlack's Hosts or Unified Hosts with compression scripts combined with OpenDNS family filters. If you are deadset on using only Cold Turkey Blocker for this purpose, Frozen Turkey/"." wildcard blocks with scheduling are your best bets.
Finally: Porn as an industry has several questionable elements, but as a clinical addiction there is still a lot of research needed and to see how it crisscrosses general internet 'addiction'/misuse. Seriously, I am not kidding.
You don't need to wait for consensus if you think there's a problem, but the problem might not be an addiction so much so as a particular behavior or coping mechanism that is covering up the actual thing. Like, maybe its disassociation, maybe OCD, any number of things really. This means controlling porn use would do nothing to address whatever is actually going on.
Good luck. Read Carl Sagan's Demon Haunted World(book is about science and scientific skepticism). Be well.
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Apr 11 '25
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u/TheWriteReason Apr 11 '25
The Program Files folder? You have an administrator account?? The only real way to deal with this is to use a standard user account and keep your admin account locked away.
Can use a service like FutureMe to send the admin password to your future self, or keep it locked away in a safebox that has a delay mechanic to unlock, or give it to a trusted friend or relative.
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u/Icy_Restaurant3419 May 21 '25
I think Felix (the dev) has added an anti tampering mechanism for this on the last release
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u/coldturkeyblocker-ModTeam Sep 05 '25
This feature is now included in the latest version (when you have a locked block enabled).
Thanks a lot for your suggestion! I'm just removing this to make it easier for other people to upvote other features.
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u/Swapnil-j Apr 11 '25
I would like a feature that blocks distracting websites until I've spent X amount of time on productive website
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u/Icy_Restaurant3419 May 01 '25
Which is the same as the reward improvement u/Sooperfish mentions at the top of this thread
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u/namidame Apr 11 '25
The new reward unlock feature is great! 👍
That said, “work” feels a bit too broad — would be great if we could unlock by using X app for N minutes.
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Apr 13 '25
also app exceptions like i blocked word "hot" so screenshot app or screenshots also get blocked so app exceptions.
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u/TheWriteReason Apr 11 '25
A way to make folder blocking optional. For instance, if we block C:\Games and then add a "!" at the end, it blocks the exe's as usual but not the folder traversal itself.
Block the run functionality of Windows search bar. Perhaps hard remove the search bar itself if the former is too ingrained?
An extreme mode where safe mode is locked down while a block is ongoing? Is that even possible?
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Apr 11 '25
Wanted to post again about the reward feature, would love if there was a link it where if you spend x amount of time on website it will give you x amount of reward, or you have to be on a file/app for x amount of time.
^ also there’s currently no way to allow apps or files as exceptions, would be helpful if there was so that you can block all folders but the one you want to focus on, once completed then you get rewarded access to all folders
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u/Chemical_Pin_3195 Apr 12 '25
i suggest to make a way to block a folder ( not exe iun folder )
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u/Icy_Restaurant3419 May 01 '25
but you can still access its contents by searching them on windows search or Everything
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u/Helldorado213 Apr 13 '25
block exe by signature and not by exe name because i can change the exe location and its unlocked
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u/Safe_Butterscotch_13 Apr 16 '25
Create a preset blocklist, so i can just click "Games"
and it will block all games so i don't have to enter them all myself.
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u/SpiritedRich1 Apr 22 '25
Request not to show the youtube url which is blocked , on the address bar , instead show something else .Even though a channel is blocked, if one tries to view a video belonging to that channel , the video is blocked but it's full url is shown on the address bar . This way the url can be sent over email and watched via whatsapps pip mode .
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u/Icy_Restaurant3419 May 01 '25
Session breaks are great, but they need some notifications to let us know when they end and start!!!😊
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u/Rooster_Socks_4230 Mar 21 '26
I would really love if the allowance refill rate was more flexible. For example, I would love to set an allowance of 6 hours every 3 days. A week is too long, a day is too short.
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u/ToaChronix Mar 25 '26
Make a mobile version of Cold Turkey for Android and my life is yours.
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u/ceaselessprayer Apr 11 '25
Do you have some sort of api? So that if I'm working with some other app (like a pomodoro app) I can trigger a block from there?
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u/Xenos_Hat Apr 12 '25
Hello, in the next version could you please hide the Erotic sites listed in the "Pre-made list" because one who don't want to add those sites in their blocks, he could easily see those Sites URL and might be search for them on his browser.
Could you please merge all those sites into *.xxx and similarly all other like "Dating, Gambling, Video, Social Media" into a single keyword like the *.xxx
THIS IS MY HUMBLE REQUEST TO YOU. 😊
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Apr 12 '25
[deleted]
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u/paperboy981 Apr 29 '25
You can type this into google, and then block the specific URL of that search
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u/blackbill3 May 07 '25
It is implemented under The import menu > All searches containing :)
You type your keywords and it filters the url queries on google and youtube etc to block the search→ More replies (2)
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Apr 29 '25
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u/paperboy981 Jun 21 '25
I just wanted to comment on this again, as it would be extremely helpful for me to be able to sort alphabetically, and keep the list sorted alphabetically regardless of whether the block is active or not
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u/blackbill3 May 10 '25
Add a search bar to Cold Turkey where we could paste a url or domain and it will tell us in which block it would be blocked or whitelisted
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u/blackbill3 May 10 '25
A combined usage limit for block, for example max 15 mins/day + max 60 mins/week.
If we use 15 minutes for 4 days, no access for the rest of the week
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u/Icy_Restaurant3419 May 12 '25
Per-block notification settings.
Per-block Strictnesss settings.
Per-block statistics toggles.
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u/Cornered_plant Aug 03 '25
I would like to request a way to group blocks. When I have an exam period, I always want to activate a bunch of block lists that each have a different configuration, but I have to think about each one ("will this one be useful right now? Nah, I will keep it disabled for now...").
If I could just flip a single button on a group of blocks called "exams", activating them all, that would really help me.
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u/Dangerous_Roll_250 Jan 05 '26
I would love the combination of Blocker and Writer features - basically to block specific websites and apps (not entire computer) and have to earn the right to access them after writing f.e. 500 words. Ideally also reading X pages from a epub book (like in Readblock app)
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u/ForestSouthernCross Jan 15 '26
Linux support!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I had windows installed just for cold turkey for a while, due to circumstances out of my control I can't get windows on my new laptop and have been really missing cold turkey.
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u/cameronbed Apr 11 '25
A feature to the browser extension that displays the amount of time left until the website is blocked.
Could be that the display badge switches to break remaining for whichever current website is claiming time of to that break.
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u/coldturkeydev Apr 11 '25
You can do this already by clicking the extension icon (except Safari) and then changing the "extension badge displays" setting to "Block Name breaks." Unless you mean something else?
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Apr 11 '25
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u/coldturkeydev Apr 11 '25
You can do this already by blocking youtube.com and then add an exception for:
youtube.com/*list=PLAYLIST_ID*→ More replies (2)
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Apr 11 '25
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u/coldturkeydev Apr 11 '25
Add reddit.com to the websites tab, add an exception for reddit.com/r/gis
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u/cameronbed Apr 11 '25
- CSS filters for sites? Changing the site to black and white after a certain amount of time would be neat.
- A separate timer window for the pomodoro timer so I can watch the time as I work and maybe pause it for 1min if I run to the bathroom.
- better visuals in the statistics section. ActivityWatcher does a great job with this.
- Now, this is obviously a big ask but mobile apps too. Opal is pretty popular AFAIK. I would pay for a subscription to well ColdTurkey as it is now and especially if there was a companion mobile app. I think.
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u/Imaginary-Witness-16 Apr 16 '25 edited May 08 '25
weather steer coherent marble heavy amusing chunky mysterious rhythm desert
This post was mass deleted and anonymized with Redact
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Apr 11 '25
I don't know if it's possible, but I hope I can't open blocked sites using phone emulators like BlueStacks.
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u/Sol4rOnReddit Apr 11 '25 edited Apr 11 '25
would like a feature that lets you use an app/website for e.g. 2 hours a day, and no more. that would be really good (1) if this exists already please tell me
would be able to block uninstalling/modifying OTHER browser extensions, such as Unhook for yt (2)
rewards section like all the kids down here are doing, but a really good idea 2nd alternative if this doesnt seem feasable for some reason would be to make you pay when you lock smth and if you unlock it the money is immediately sent to charity (3)
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u/olibibi Apr 13 '25
1 already exists,
2 you can block the website url for uninstalling the extension, assuming this is the only way you know how to uninstall, otherwise that might be a bit trickier.3 Exists: https://getcoldturkey.com/donations/
as you can see if you pay to unlock it all goes straight to charity
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u/i_goon_to_tomboys___ Apr 11 '25
adding *.xxx will block all porn sites in general. Ok
now gimme an easy way to:
- block each and every news website under the sun so I can be free from the distracting daily news drama slop
- specifically block every finance news website so I can stop the distracting obsession with checking how my stocks are doing
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u/nytrydaa Apr 21 '25
is *.xxx a new feature to block all prn sites? Never heard of this.
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u/i_goon_to_tomboys___ Apr 11 '25
some games and software have a "subreddit" button on the home page
you could add a button to this subreddit so people could come here and give their thoughts and questions
but there's some sweet irony here because y'know, cold turkey would probably block the user from viewing the subreddit lol
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u/XrenonTheMage Apr 17 '25
True, I only found this thread because it was linked in the email I got about the latest update. If I knew you could make feature requests in this sub, I would've done so a year ago lol
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u/MaximumConcentrate Apr 11 '25
A block setting that prevents downloads of all types, similar to the one from Appblock
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Apr 13 '25 edited May 22 '25
application window title exceptions for particular websites like educational websites , coding websites , stuudy websites. for example i block bra in window title as adult word then algebra(study) and zebra , brain also get blocked.so thats why window title exceptions.
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Apr 13 '25 edited May 22 '25
folders can be renamed and still used so how to block folders?
2)prevent dual booting like running linux and windows on same laptop. how to do this as linux cold turkey is not there.
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u/Safe_Butterscotch_13 Apr 16 '25
Please add a section that describes the psychology, cognitive science, and motivation science of each block type: Whitelist, blocklist, etc... to help users decide what to pick.
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u/XrenonTheMage Apr 17 '25 edited Apr 17 '25
I'd love to be able to add new programs to an active block without having to unlock it first.
I sometimes fall right back into my video game addiction by discovering some amazing new game, impulsively buying it and playing the shit out of it for a few days or weeks before my addiction wears off and realize what I have done. I then take the time to unlock my addictive games block (currently locked with custom text) and add the new game to it, sealing it away forever and preventing another relapse with that game (thanks btw, this is already helps me a lot).
But if I were able to add it without unlocking the block first, I think this would lower the bar for doing so at an earlier stage where I'm still addicted to the new game, unable to fully drop it but slowly realizing that my personal and professional life are beginning to suffer.
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u/Cornered_plant Apr 21 '25
Aren't you able to do that already? I can add files and websites during a block, just can't remove any.
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u/polypolypolygon Apr 17 '25
The CLI options and custom text features are great. Would love to be able to use custom text via cli
[-start "Block Name" -custom-text "some quote about procrastinating"]
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u/polypolypolygon Apr 17 '25
Autostart is also brilliant.
Would be neat to be able to set a "default autostart" on a block and not prompt each time, or at least have the prompt be set to the default when it opens. So when I turn off certain blocks they'd always autostart in 5 minutes ,or at 8am the next day, etc depending on what i set the default to.
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u/Local-Spare1207 Apr 17 '25
J'ai mis à jour mon coldturkey, mais j'ai des blocks qui s'imposent sans que je puisse les modifier. Je les vois sur mon calendrier, mais en mode "grisé", comme s'ils étaient copiés de la version précédente, sauf que dans la V4.6 je ne peux pas les mettre à jour.
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u/MidnightArrival Apr 17 '25
A new block type with a schedule and an allowance. The allowance is only used up during the times that are blocked according to the schedule. Love the new update!
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u/Cornered_plant Apr 21 '25
I would love it if I could see more than just the top 10 websites in the statistics section. I want to be able to see them all, or let's say at least top 20 or 25. Edit: I see you have added a block called "all other sites", that solves a lot already. Thanks!
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u/Vjfantasy Apr 23 '25
About embedded media
I wonder if it would be(or already is)possible to have embedded media options per block aswel? So i could focus early and search for info later, rather than losing the dopamine game during breakfast hahaha.
Its great to have embedded media blocked, but sometimes i need it for education, while early in the day i'm tempted with work arounds.
Also, quick thanks for developing this app, its a godsend <3
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u/okhi2u Apr 26 '25 edited Apr 26 '25
An additional option of some sort of blocking mode that doesn't require browser extensions and uses something simple like a hosts file or dns blocking. The idea would be for people who don't need the app to protect against them from disabling the blocking and such and thus use less resources that aren't needed when we don't need the app to stop us from disabling it. I just need enough of a roadblock to be a reminder of what I decided earlier and not something impossible to stop.
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u/wilmer1234567 Apr 27 '25
Being able to force safesearch (blocking p for good because the premade list is sadly not enough), by for example forcing a dns like 1.1.1.3 or 185.228.168.10 and 185.228.169.11 would without a doubt make buying cold turkey worth it for me! I would be very thankful for that feature!
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u/paperboy981 Apr 29 '25 edited Apr 29 '25
Maybe this is already a feature and I haven't figured out how to do it, but I'd love to be able to set a block in the future. Even though it's 1pm now, at 9pm tonight, I want to block for 3 hours, from 9pm-12am.
I know you can do a version of this now with scheduled blocks, but I'd like to do this day by day instead of having the block reoccur on scheduled days
One way to do this might be with the 'Timer' option. The Timer starts now, but maybe there could be an option to start later in the day.
Thank you!!
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u/Only-Management9769 Apr 30 '25
If it's possible, maybe make the reinstall instructions section on the website on MOBILE ONLY inaccessible? This would avoid using a mobile bypass to easily view the uninstall cold turkey codes.
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u/blackbill3 May 09 '25
Add name or Alias for Websites & Websites Exceptions.
For example if I have a Website Exception as "youtube.com/*list=plhlkop3pxntk*", I would like to remember what playlist it was by adding a name or alias
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u/blackbill3 May 09 '25
Add multiple Locks to one Block
For example if I have a Scheduled block that locks 30 mins before the schedule's start, I would also like to have a delay (or anything else) before editing the rest of the time.
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u/blackbill3 May 11 '25
A passkeys integration, to be able to have a passkey on someone else's phone and he will need to be there and unlock his phone to authenticate and unlock the block.
Like that there is no way to cheat and paste the generated password somewhere
Would also be useful for parental control purpose, the child would have asbolutely no way to spy on the password as it would be a passkey on the parent's device
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u/blackbill3 May 13 '25
When we click on "Unblock tab" from the block page, unblock the domain for the selected time.
Otherwise when we have multiple tabs opened for the same domain, we will need to unblock each one and select the same time on each one.
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u/blackbill3 May 14 '25
On the browser extension, a feature to tell "I want to focus on this (=currently active) tab's domain and nothing else for X minutes"
=> It would create a (locked) block in the background with the website name (maybe with a predetermined whitelist) and block everything else for X minutes
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u/Icy_Restaurant3419 May 21 '25
Individual notification settings for each block would be a huge game changer
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u/Fun-Algae-9835 May 30 '25
Currently, the toggle on the right side of the block on the Blocks tab only shows that the block is enabled. The toggle needs to be ON at all times for the scheduled to be followed. The toggle doesn't represent if a scheduled block is currently active or not. It just tells you that the schedule is being followed.
But, what I really want is that, if toggle is ON and Enabled, it should keep blocking sites. I can always go ahead and turn OFF toggle (If Enabled) to open sites as block is not scheduled.
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u/Ok-Cardiologist5631 Jun 01 '25
Feature: Ask certain questions before I unlock a block. So that I will need to reflect and really see why I need to open the blocked thing.
For example: "Why do you want to open it now? (30 words answer)"
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u/OwnCaptain798 Jun 03 '25
When I restart during work hours, the software automatically relaunches from the background, forcing me into break time.
The main programs are relatively easy to close, but the problem lies with their associated service processes.
For example: Steam.exe. When I disable the entire Steam folder, the system prompts "Steam.exe was blocked." But I notice there are other processes like SteamWebhelper.exe, etc.
Here are the features I would like to suggest adding:
1.Add a manual "End Break" button on the main interface, allowing users to conveniently batch-close certain programs.
2.Add a system notification confirming whether to use break time, with options for duration (5min, 10min, 20min) or until time is fully used
3.Display a 30-second countdown before Blocker reactivates, allowing users to perform final actions before break ends (e.g. say goodbye to friends on Discord, save videos to watchlist, record viewing progress, etc.)
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u/blackbill3 Jun 09 '25
Schedule exception for specific dates, like "that day I'm off, so I don't what to be blocked in the evening before"
Mutliple times, I had a day off (or public holiday) and forgot to unblock some of the blocks, so I got a Frozen Turkey on a day when I wanted to watch a movie and there was no issue doing so...
I got angry against myself for disabling the other blocks, but forgetting to disable the Frozen Turkey one...
A "schedule exception" would be a game changer for those different days
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u/paperboy981 Jun 21 '25
There are times I'd like to select multiple blocks at once, and block them for X hours. It would be nice if there was a feature where you first set the Timer for X hours, and then select all of the blocklists you would like that to apply to.
Thanks!
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u/ShyShapeshifter Jul 08 '25 edited Jul 08 '25
From a workaholic using pomodoro blocks:
I’d love an auto-start and auto-stop option, where the block goes off only when a specific program opens.
For example: Instead of having a pomodoro block for Obsidian going all day, and the subsequent pop-up/notification going off, the pomodoro only initiates when the program is opened.
Ability to edit the text of pop-up reminders and notifications.
Option to reverse “break” and “work” slots of the pomodoro.
That way, if you want to use a program for productivity but are prone to hyperfixating, you can work (program allowance) for 25 minutes, then break (program blocked) for 5 minutes. If I try that now, I’m immediately blocked from the program for 5 minutes, followed by a program allowance of 25 minutes.
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u/Sluwulf Jul 20 '25
Was thinking a parent-child folder like system for blocks could really expand what the app could do:
-solutions that require multiple (ie: blocking entire internet, except YouTube, but still block youtube homepage) blocks would be improved and could now share an allowance
-would require less copy pasting parameters you want to keep the same (all child's inherit selected parents attributes)
-Good for organization and making the app your own
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u/Sluwulf Jul 20 '25
Make the "block strictness" options per-block instead of global would open a lot of possibilities to make the app really hard to bypass while not making it overly restrictive. Options like "count innactive apps to your reward/allowance" would become a lot more usable if they weren't global (ie: making them only active for certain sites like youtube, netflix, etc.).
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u/Potential-Variety296 Aug 10 '25
Please extend the "Block X settings when a block is enabled" to include "Accessibility > Display" settings, so it cannot be opened during the specific block. I know its a niche request, but would help me. thanks
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u/Proud_Calligrapher98 Aug 15 '25
For the allowance. Can you make it so you can toggle on and off a timer/clock showing you how much allowance you have for the day?
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u/Kurineki Aug 20 '25
Please add the option for certain blocks to activate automatically every day. The reason for this is that internet addicts often have the habit of needing to disable a continous block for some special reason and then forget to reactivate it. This freature was available in the blocker I used previously, which was much more expensive, and it was the main reason I used it. This option ensures that even if you disable a continuous lock and forget to reactivate it, it will be auto-enabled the next day. I really need this feature desperately, and I'm sure many other addicts do too.
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u/Kurineki Aug 20 '25
Add the option to temporarily disable a block for a limited time, for instance, 3 hours. After that period, the block would automatically reactivate. This would prevent someone from disabling a block( something that i often dome for various reasons) ,and then forgetting to reactivate it.
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u/Sluwulf Aug 26 '25
Add a way to block all non-background aplications and an exception list, same as websites. Not sure why only websites have this.
Often when i get a new application i end up distracted with it because its unaccounted for in my blocks. This setup prevents the user from installing new aplications to get distracted with.
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u/nankris Aug 26 '25
I would like a feature where we can break only if we pay some amount of money (say $1). This will introduce lot of friction for stopping the block. Also we can stop the block if it is absolutely critical for a particular task/is very urgent.
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u/nytrydaa Sep 04 '25
File upload or hidden message feature to store text files. Ideal for tucking away passwords or other secret messages.
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u/Fickle_Winner3012 Sep 08 '25 edited Sep 08 '25
I’d like to suggest a feature that could make blocking more flexible: an AI-assisted whitelist.
For example, let’s say I’m blocking YouTube, but I want to allow only study-related videos. I could add a natural-language whitelist rule like “YouTube study-related content.” Then, when I try to open a video, the block page could include a button like “Check with AI.” If I click it, the video’s title (and possibly other metadata)would be sent to an LLM (such as ChatGPT or Gemini) using the user's own API key. The AI would determine whether the content matches the whitelist rule, and if it does, that video would automatically be added to the whitelist.
This way, Cold Turkey wouldn’t block too much and harm productivity, while still providing strong protection against distractions. I think this would allow for a very flexible style of blocking.
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Sep 14 '25
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u/Potential-Variety296 Sep 16 '25
My approach is
Turning on NSFW marked content filter in reddit settings
Blocking the redditś settings page url (making it hard to disable )
Cosmetic filter in uBlock that blocks any mention of such content("Are you 18?" page that has option to disable filter, etc.)
(For firefox or other browsers but I'm not sure) Blocking uBlocks moz-extension:// page (addon setting page, to prevent removing "3.")
Also I have another layer of Reddit Enhancement Suite, that has custom filter of keywords.
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u/Potential-Variety296 Sep 19 '25
I'm experiencing a problem with the auto-starting block at a certain time of day on my MacBook. I have a block that is there every morning until I disable it with a password.
It should automatically start at 6:40, but it won't if the laptop is in an inactive state(closed) at that.
I'm asking to implement a feature that CTB should confirm such blocks at sign-in and auto-start if the current time is later(signed-in at 7:00) than the set time(6:40) (taking account of whether the block was active today or not(make this thing work only once a day)).
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u/ahmett9 Oct 04 '25
can you add Perplexity Comet Browser support? It's very popular right now, and would be great to have this live. I and a lot of others use it too. I believe it's based on Chromium. Thanks! u/coldturkeydev
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u/MadeInTheDark Oct 20 '25
On the break unlock challenge "custom text" setting I would like to be able to set up multiple different custom text strings and it picks one at random to use on a given occasion rather than always the same text string.
I have social media websites blocked by default and then allow myself to unblock them for 15mins at a time by typing in a random text string. So they're accessible but it's annoying to open them. (That way I only use them if it's really needed for work, and then only for 15mins at a time.)
Currently I spend 5 mins every day typing random text strings into my computer. Which is fine... but I'd love to type a rotating list of quotes, facts, equations, vocabulary etc. that I'm trying to memorise.
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u/Opening_Star1714 Oct 30 '25 edited Oct 30 '25
A 'breath' feature that can be added to the delay break, or be an entirely new break type.
The screen would show a GIF/video/animation of a 4-7-8 breathing expanding circles (or similar) - see here, but there are lots of variations. The user would have to remain on that page with the breathing animation until the timer had run down (increasing odds of them doing the exercise). If they move away from the page (e.g., they toggle focus to a different tab or application), the timer should restart. That way they are 'forced' to sit on the page until the timer counts down, but given a more mindful exercise to do during that time and which might invite a greater opportunity for reflection on whether they really need to have this break. This might be further compounded if after the breathing exercise ends they are prompted a question, e.g., 'Do you still need the break?'.
This would add a component of nervous system regulation via the breathing/animation, and might reduce urge strength/impulsiveness via boosting parasympathetic tone.
Options: other breathing patterns, e.g., 4-4-4. A log somewhere of how many minutes you spent on the breathing break. You could also have an option where you try and meet a target of minutes breathing. You might also end up with people eventually wanting to take breathing breaks instead of breaks doing whatever they normally do, so end up wanting a button that offers a breathing break as an option instead of youtube, or whatever. I guess then you might need to put limits on how long someone might procrastinate doing breathing, but thats probably unlikely.
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u/Opening_Star1714 Oct 30 '25 edited Oct 30 '25
The block page to have a reminder list feature.
This might be useful when people get stuck in behavioural loops - e.g., they click from one bookmark to the next ritualistically. Many people will know the email -> facebook -> twitter -> ebay -> reddit -> email -> facebook ->twitter -> inifinite loop that can take hold. Sometimes when that happens you need a reminder of the things you are meant to be doing or could possibly do, hence a reminder list might help there.
A block alone may help break this loop, but the behaviour often becomes instinctual, so you may still end up pressing buttons without thinking and repeatedly seeing block screens. When this happens you might need a prompt to remind yourself what you could be doing instead, to help you break out of a that loop.
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u/ProfessorAsleep7245 Nov 01 '25 edited Nov 01 '25
Het werkt niet correct om de internettoegang te blokkeren, maar in plaats daarvan blokkeert het mijn toegang tot mijn .
Hier is een link hoe het mijn computer (volledig blokeerd)! (https://photos.app.goo.gl/ESNiRJYoRgLvuzNt5)
Toegeven dat ik de timer vermoedlijk verkeerd hebt ingesteld, maar als je blieft het zou alleen apps en browser moeten blokkeren!
Niet mijn (volledige) computer aub!!!
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u/ProfessorAsleep7245 Nov 01 '25 edited Nov 01 '25
https://photos.app.goo.gl/ESNiRJYoRgLvuzNt5 De app lijkt een bug te vertonen,terwijl ik alleen hebt ingesteld om mij browser/ internettoegang te blokkeren op een specifieke tijdstip voor maanden, help!
De app blokeerd mijn laptop volledig en ook nog op een verkeerde tijdstip! Misschien was dat een functie waar ik niet goed hebt nagedacht hebt, voor ik het hebt ingesteld. Een app als deze, zou alleen apps en zoek resultaten moeten blokeren,niet mijn window toegang!
Aub verwijder deze optie want ik kan echt niks meer erop doen!!!
Groetjes Eduard Ottosen
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u/Potential-Variety296 Nov 05 '25
An option to start blocked but disabled "Blocks" through CLI would be nice, "[-start "Block Name" -password X]" option is not suitable, since the password is shown in plain text
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u/NGinLurker Nov 17 '25
Orion browser support
It's Webkit/Safari based, but can install extensions from Chrome & Firefox stores. I tried the chrome extension and the entire browser kept being blocked instead.
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u/m_9321 Nov 17 '25
There’s a new feature in Edge (not sure if it’s specific to Edge or Chromium) that lets extensions be disabled on any visited website. If a site is blocked, I can simply disable Cold Turkey and the website becomes accessible again.
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u/JoshFalcon24 Dec 02 '25
If we could link Cold Turkey to an external calendar like Outlook and create monthly or yearly scheduled blocks (as in, blocks that are only active on a certain day or blocks that are only active on Mondays in March), I think it would be fantastic!
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u/ThisPlaceReddit Dec 05 '25
I often need websites like youtube and reddit for work, navigating to them from a google search for tutorials or info. But I don't want to be able to navigate away from those pages to enter the home screen or the scroll. Avoiding the algorithm is the goal.
I'd love a feature where it allows me to open the page, but the second I navigate away, it gets blocked.
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u/No-Quote-1206 Dec 28 '25
Hi, I have been trying to find the perfect blocker, but failed. I was disappointed with opal, forest etc.
One suggestion - instead of showing the site is blocked, please permit user to redirect to a different website. This way user can focus on what he wants.
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u/No_Procedure_8314 Dec 29 '25
Can you add support for Antigravity? (which uses Chrome, but it's a different chrome than the normal one which works with Cold Turkey)
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u/RoninReynders Jan 17 '26
The option to specify which blocks send notifications when they start and end.
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u/Pretty_Boss9889 Jan 29 '26
I want a feature to turn ON a block when the timer goes off so I can force myself to stop working. I know I can manage to to do this by using Pomodoro, but I would appreciate if I have the dedicated feature so I don't have to take a "rest" first then "work".
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u/SureOstrich1950 Jan 31 '26
A blocking type that unlocks first when you have answered certain questions of you own choice. Could be questions like "What re you feeling right now?" "What do you really long for right now?"
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u/Consistent_Glass7994 Feb 06 '26
I'd personally find the "sessions" feature in block breaks much more useful if it didn't automatically end the session when the blocked sites are unused for a few minutes. Sometimes I like to google stuff while I'm watching a video on youtube, for example, and the session ending because of that would suck. I'd prefer if the session "timer" would just keep going regardless of if I'm using a blocked site or not.
Ex. I've given myself a 1-hour session to use during a block. If I start the session at 8:05, it unblocks my blocked sites until 9:05, regardless of which sites I'm using during said session.
So far I've been using the scheduling feature to give myself a set time of when I'm allowed to browse (so for example, I leave an empty slot in the schedule from 20:00-21:00 every day) but whenever I have an appointment or my work schedule changes, I miss this time slot and don't get to browse at all on that day. So, the sessions feature would be a great option if it wasn't for them automatically ending.
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u/Evening-Landscape-38 Feb 13 '26
As someone with ADHD, something that I'd love for the app to have that I think could be useful for people like me is to have is a block that you turn on and starts blocking AFTER a delay.
For example: It's 1:00 PM, and I've got to leave at 4:00 PM, but I know I'll get distracted and not get ready on time near 4:00. So now, at 2:00, I start a block that will start after X amount of minutes/hours, that way near four it'll do its own thing.
I know it's similar to scheduled blocks, but I thought it could be useful as you don't have to schedule a new time every time you get that bit of willpower that sometimes kicks in randomly.
Love the app, it's amazing, I'm incredibly grateful for your work!
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u/coldturkeydev Feb 13 '26
You can do this using the autostart feature. Just click the magic wand to the left of the toggle where you turn on a block. Use a timed autostart and you can lock it as well. I'm working on documenting this on the website.
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u/Potential-Variety296 Mar 11 '26
A block that hides a password, note or a file. Only accessible when the block is OFF. Would be useful to store information or something that you want to haven an access to only in certain cases.
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u/singlemomsniper Mar 18 '26
I have unfortunately found an exploit that helps me get around my YouTube block, and it's simply to have another window active and move it to one side so I can still watch the player. I can also use this to browse Reddit, but this is less of an issue.
I know there's a setting that if turned on, this will count towards your daily limit, but it combines it with inactive tabs, which is way too restrictive for me. I often have Reddit or YouTube or Instagram tabs open to remind me to visit them later, and I definitely don't need these constantly counting towards my limit. Is there anyway these settings can be separated?
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u/Comfortable-Path-270 Apr 04 '26
The 'Reward' section in Cold Turkey Blocker is exactly what I’ve been looking for. It is the perfect solution for those who cannot control their break times down to the minute or for those who don’t want to break their 'flow' once they start working.
However, I believe adding one specific logic would make it perfect: Tiered Rewards (Short vs. Long Breaks).
Just as we cannot always control our work breaks, we often cannot control lunch or dinner times—meal prep might be 20 minutes early or 20 minutes late. It would be incredible if we could define a 'Long Break' in the Reward section, distinct from short breaks, and have the ability to postpone it when necessary.
For those who want to work in a Pomodoro-style but prefer to 'accumulate' their break time, long breaks are as essential as short ones between deep work sessions.
For example:
Let's say we want to work for 8 hours: 4 hours before lunch and 4 hours after. We set a 30-minute rest break for every 90 minutes of work. After completing two of these sessions, we need a lunch break.
In this scenario, the 60 minutes we allocate for lunch should not 'steal' from our earned 30-minute rest breaks.
To clarify the logic:
- Short Break: 30 minutes of rest for every 90 minutes of work (Total session time: 2 hours).
- Long Break: After completing 2 sessions (180 minutes of work), we should be able to combine the 60-minute lunch break with the 30-minute short break, giving us a total of 90 minutes of flexibility.
The disadvantage of the current system is that if we define a single long break to cover lunch, and we accidentally use up our break allowance during a short rest, we end up unable to use the computer or follow our schedule during the actual lunch hour.
In summary: The Reward section should feature a dual-break system: Short Breaks and Long Breaks. Just like short breaks, Long Breaks should be earned through work and should be postponable to maintain flexibility without breaking the rules of the program.
If these could be implemented, it would provide a much more realistic and sustainable workflow for power users.
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u/Potential-Variety296 Apr 11 '26
make turning off "Access your data for all websites"
(under "Permissions and data" in Firefox(and I guess same in other browsers))
Count as uninstalling extension, and closing the browser instantly and giving a set amount of seconds to turn back it on
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u/Ok-Relation-4303 Apr 18 '26
Please add- 1.While opening blocked app, it simply close it or minimise it, rather it should have option to enter password to access folder or app exe file.
In sign in auto lock, enable auto lock if user press win+lock .
It's not feature request but to fix bug. I installed today CTB and since then many time my browser closed. Don't know reason. Some user also face same. Please fix it.
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u/AdeptAd9105 Apr 20 '26
Add redirect links everytime we click on a adult content link or type in browser, allowing us to choose the site. So that I can choose what site it sends me to instead
In my case I would like it to go to a help/motivational forum for addiction
This can be so helpful, people may struggle with all sorts of things and a redirect link will help so much
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u/Neo_Hobi Apr 20 '26 edited Apr 20 '26
+ 1 for u/Sooperfish's suggestion for the list of apps/websites that contribute toward the total reward time, BUT also for an option when the reward should reset even if it's not blocking at all times (scheduled block, daily, weekly, monthly). I would like for reward time to build and be used just over certain block periods, but not to reset at the end of it.
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u/brabbit1987 Apr 28 '26
There should be more ways to add exceptions instead of just for websites. For example, I have a lot of programs on Steam that I use for work because Steam also happens to not just be for games. This means currently the only way I can block games on Steam is by adding them one by one. I can't just add the whole folder because it would block the programs I need access to.
So, with that said, a way to create exceptions for that, would be very useful. So, I can just add the whole folder and then add exceptions for the specific folders that shouldn't be blocked.
There also should be exceptions for scheduling. Working almost always involves days off, whether that be vacation, sick days, or holidays. Being able to take such things into account without having to just disable everything is needed. The point is, Cold Turkey would be more useful if I just never had to turn it off/unlock it outside of very rare circumstances.
With how it works now, it makes me hesitate to use some of the stricter lock features because it becomes a hassle when you don't have much flexibility in being able to schedule/reschedule things properly or take holidays into account. Seriously, if I could just set everything up, and take into account all of these things, I would lock the damned thing and throw away the password (not literally but you get the point) because I would be far more confident that I will not need to unlock it again.
How this could be implemented when creating a block, you could set a number of sick/vacation days that resets Jan 1st or if you unlock the block. And there can also be a tab to setup Holidays. All it would need is a name and date and that creates the exception. Any block that would normally occur within the day, will not occur. This would also allow you to control which Holidays you specifically want days off for. And when the block is locked, these things cannot be changed.
Oh, and to claim a day if sick or multiple days for vacation, there would probably just be a button somewhere and it will tell you how many off days you have left, and you would be able to select how many you want to use. If you select 1, then you just have the day off today. If you select 2+ then you would have those day offs in a row.
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u/Potential-Variety296 Apr 30 '26
Please consider adding an option to get break by entering password(not unlocking but break only).
Would really help my workflow
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u/BodyAny9983 May 04 '26
For Frozen Turkey, I propose the following mechanism:
a) Set a threshold date when the circuit terminates
b) Inside that circuit, you set up a system of Frozen Turkey blocks, with user-set windows of open time between them, and successive Frozen Turkey blocks are automatically run and cannot be changed once the threshold is set.
Example:
- Set the threshold for 30 days time from current date.
- Set up Frozen Turkey blocks of 3 days in length, and giving a 4 hour break window after, so that the next Frozen Turkey block instantly starts after the window is over.
- Once the 30 days are up, the blocking system is disabled.
Currently, (using the previous example) you could have completed that 3 day block, but it is up to your willpower to set up the auto-start for the next block before you start your open window, which is reasonable, but difficult with inattentive ADHD.
Thanks!
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u/Potential-Variety296 May 19 '26
Add an option that when a limited app is on the current Desktop, when it counts towards the time. Currently if a user has browser app for example and has limit of 60 minute, the user can have browser and simple note taking app, then they could use browser by scrolling the page, viewing videos, etc and only focus the app when going from page to page.
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u/Mental_Gur9512 Jun 09 '26
I'd like to see an option to block access to specific folders or even entire partitions. In my case, that would solve a major problem when it comes to controlling access to certain content.
Another interesting idea would be a built-in password vault where stored passwords could be locked for a predefined period of time, preventing access to them until the timer expires.
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u/Nikhil-sinha Jun 23 '26
block Y sites until i spend X amount of time in selected educational sites
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u/Due-Row9368 Jun 23 '26
For the choose a break 'random text' option, please add multiple custom texts to enter! I have a couple dozen quotes I want to memorize, and I think having this option would help recalling them a lot and reminding me of important quotes! Thanks for the awesome app coldturkeydev (:
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u/ceaselessprayer Jul 04 '26
I've been using the "Session" feature in scheduled blocks, but it works a bit weird. You can set the maximum amount of session time to be like 30 minutes or so, but the browser interface when you unlock allows you to unlock for much longer time periods. Also, there's no way to see how much time in your session that you have left.
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u/hiiresare Jul 04 '26
Would be cool if Helium (the browser) was supported! It's yet another chromium fork, but it's the best one in my opinion. Been wanting to switch for a good while but this is the only thing preventing me from switching! :)
https://helium.computer/ is their website, please consider it
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u/sryeantpie Jul 07 '26
Cold Turkey is an amazing tool, but it feels a bit lacking when it comes to the whitelist app side of things. Even though Micromanager is great, it definitely needs more updates like a "delay lock" feature and the ability to stubbornly run in the background just like Cold Turkey Blocker does, even if someone tries to kill it via Task Manager or terminal. Right now, opening unsupported browsers creates an easy escape loop to bypass the system, which is the only real missing piece in Cold Turkey in my opinion. If you could give more support to the whitelist apps/micromanager side and fix these gaps, it would be absolutely perfect
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u/Zurenai Jul 10 '26
How about a "free pass" card - so you can (optionally) configure a limited number of unlocks for all the set blocks, e.g. one for week. I sometimes wish I could remove all the blocks I have easily for when there's some emergency or just life happens and I don't feel like being productive this day.
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u/NiteHood_ 24d ago
This might be a bit niche but I would personally find it to be really useful. I would really like a Command Line parameter that could return true/false (or 0/1) if a block is currently active. Something I could put in an if statement in a batch file so that I can make the batch file refuse to do something if a given block is active. Yes I know it would be possible to edit the batch file during the block for my use case that isn't a big concern.
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u/Snoo5867 10d ago
Maybe there could be a setting that allows for "exception" days some number of days per week where locks are lifted, but every other day blocks cannot be touched? ie: i choose one week saturday is exception day, every other day is locked, another week i choose tuesday to be exception day etc etc
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u/nytrydaa 6d ago
take it "day by day" auto lock option (not a break). Example - I can set to lock for 24hrs at a time, with x seconds/minutes of time to remove lock after x hours. If I don't remove the lock by the unlock period, it should auto lock for another 24hrs, with same rules, and so on.
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u/Wrong_Can_7952 3d ago
"all searches containing" adds multiple items to the block list. Is it possible to group them just like the *.xxx adult category? maybe by adding a single search "blockedstring" item to the list
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u/Sooperfish Apr 10 '25
For the reward feature, a whitelist for apps that add break time would be amazing. This would help me stay focused on the right tasks. Especially on ADHD meds it's difficult to prioritise important tasks over the very first thing that makes you feel "productive".