Concentration

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Stay focused on work when you want, and goof off when you don't. Concentration is a simple Python 3 console utility to block distracting sites when you need to focus, while allowing you to easily take timed breaks. Concentration uses the /etc/hosts file as the mechanism to block sites, and works on Linux, Macintosh, and Windows.

Installing Concentration

pip3 install concentration

Or, if pip is already set to use Python 3

pip install concentration

Or, if you wanted concentration installed and ran in an isolated environment, consider using pipx:

pipx run concentration

Using Concentration

To keep focused (blocking distracting sites):

sudo concentration improve

To take a small 5 minute timed break:

sudo concentration break

To take a long 60 minute timed break:

sudo concentration break -m 60

You can cancel breaks with Ctrl-C.

To disable blocking until you explicitly enable it again:

sudo concentration lose

Configuring Concentration

You can add more files to the blocked list by putting them in the following files (new line delimited):

• ~/.concentration.distractors
• /etc/concentration.distractors

You can make sure sites are visible even if concentration is enabled by putting them in the following files (new line delimited):

• ~/.concentration.safe
• /etc/concentration.safe

Articles featuring Concentration

• https://www.turtle-techies.com/useful-linux-unix-tools-to-add-to-your-toolbox/#peace-and-concentration
• https://opensource.com/article/20/8/python-concentration

Thanks and I hope you find concentration useful in your effort to get more done!

~Timothy Crosley