How blocking actually works
FocusDragon's blocking is enforced by a background daemon that runs as a LaunchDaemon outside the app bundle. The daemon polls its own root-owned config file (/Library/Application Support/FocusDragon/config.json) every two seconds and enforces rules independently of the FocusDragon UI process. That means you can quit the app, log out, or even drag FocusDragon to the Trash mid-block — the daemon keeps enforcing until the block ends.
Websites are blocked by rewriting /etc/hosts (which is why Full Disk Access is required) and by the Safari and Chrome extensions, which also handle in-tab redirects. Applications are blocked by force-quitting them when they launch.
Lock types
A lock type determines how hard it is to disable a running block. FocusDragon ships ten lock types — one free, nine Pro. Sessions (Pomodoro-style cycles) is a separate Break Configuration that pairs with any lock type.
- No Lock (free) — toggle the block off whenever you want. Useful for casual use and for getting a feel for the app.
- Timer (Pro) — locked for a duration you set at creation. Most popular Pro lock.
- Date (Pro) — locked until a specific calendar date and time. Good for exam season or a project deadline.
- Password (Pro) — type a password you set at creation. Friction without being totally inaccessible.
- Random Text (Pro) — type a long random string character-by-character. No copy-paste. The hardcore choice when softer locks stop working.
- Schedule (Pro) — active only during set hours. Set it once for your workdays and forget it.
- Restart (Pro) — restart your Mac to disable. Cheap on paper, surprisingly effective in practice.
- Breakable (Pro) — you can break out, but each escape costs escalating delay.
- Delay (Pro) — wait through a cooldown timer before the disable takes effect.
- Frozen Turkey (Pro) — no way to disable until the block expires. The nuclear option.
Sessions (Break Configuration, Pro) layers Pomodoro-style work/break cycles on top of any block — covered in its own deep dive below.
Which lock to pick
Start with Timer. If your impulsive self learns to wait it out, escalate to Password or Random Text. Frozen Turkey is the right answer when you've already proven to yourself that any escape hatch will be used.