I built a focus system that forces real breaks after burning out

Hi HN,

After burning out multiple times, I realized most productivity tools rely heavily on willpower. That never worked for me — I could always skip breaks, pause timers, or ignore reminders.

So I built a small browser-based focus system for myself, powered by a browser extension that runs quietly in the background. The goal wasn’t to watch a timer all day, but to let me stay immersed in real work while the system handled timing and recovery automatically.

Instead of asking me to constantly monitor sessions, the extension detects when it’s time to stop and triggers a full-screen break overlay. That way my focus can flow naturally, and when recovery is needed, it becomes non-negotiable.

Main ideas behind it:

Enforces real breaks using a full-screen overlay through the extension

Blocks distracting websites during work sessions

Supports different focus cycles like Pomodoro and 52/17

Lets me continue normal daily work without staring at a countdown timer

I used it personally for months before deciding to share it publicly.

The biggest lesson wasn’t about productivity hacks — it was realizing how unfinished focus cycles quietly drain energy and reduce the quality of work over time.

What’s your biggest frustration with existing focus or productivity tools, especially browser-based ones or extensions?