# How to Use the Web Blocker

The Web Blocker helps you stay focused by automatically blocking distracting websites like social media, YouTube, and news sites during your work hours. You can customize when it works, take breaks when needed, and even turn it on outside your normal schedule.

![Web Blocker Overview Screenshot - Shows the main Web Blocker settings panel](/docs/web-blocker/settings.jpeg)

## What the Web Blocker Does

When you turn on the Web Blocker, it prevents you from accessing websites that might distract you from work. This includes:

- Social media (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, etc.)
- Video sites (YouTube, Netflix, Twitch, etc.)
- Gaming websites
- Online shopping sites
- News and entertainment sites

![Blocked Site Example - Shows what happens when you try to visit a blocked website](/docs/web-blocker/blocked.jpg)

## Getting Started

### Step 1: Turn On the Web Blocker

1. Open Chronoid from your menu bar
2. Click on **Settings** (gear icon)
3. Find the **Web Blocker** section
4. Toggle the switch to **ON**

That's it! The Web Blocker is now active and will block distracting websites.

### Step 2: Choose When It Works

You have two options:

#### Option A: Block Sites All the Time
Leave the "Enable Schedule" switch OFF. This means distracting sites are always blocked, 24/7.

#### Option B: Block Sites During Work Hours Only
1. Turn ON the "Enable Schedule" switch
2. Set your work hours (for example, 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM)
3. Choose which days you work (usually Monday through Friday)

![Schedule Settings - Shows the schedule configuration panel](/docs/web-blocker/schedule.jpg)

### Step 3: Let Smart Suggestions Help (Optional)

With **Smart Suggestions** on, Chronoid offers to block distracting sites as you visit them, based on your tracked time. The prompt shows how long you've spent on the site today, appears immediately for heavy usage, and goes away on its own when you move on to something else. Sites you decline are remembered in a "Never ask again" list, and **Auto-hide prompt** dismisses the suggestion automatically if you don't respond.

## Common Situations

### "I need to work on Saturday"

If you normally don't work weekends but need to focus on Saturday:

1. Click on the Chronoid icon in your menu bar
2. Select Enable Web Blocker Now

The Web Blocker will immediately start blocking distracting sites, even though it's outside your normal schedule. When you're done, just turn back OFF.

![Manual Override - Shows the manual override toggle in action](/docs/web-blocker/enable.jpg)

### "I need a quick break"

Sometimes you need to check something on a blocked site. You can pause blocking from the **Pause** row at the top of the Web Blocker settings, or from the menu bar (**Temporarily Disable Web Blocker**):

- **1 minute** - Just need to check something quickly
- **5 minutes** - A focused detour
- **15 minutes** - Coffee break
- **1 hour** - Lunch break
- **Today** - Done working for today; blocking resumes with your next scheduled session
- **Custom…** - Pick your own length, from 1 minute up to 24 hours. Chronoid remembers the last custom length you used.

![Pause row in Web Blocker settings with 1m, 5m, 15m, 1h, Today, and Custom options](/docs/web-blocker/pause-options.png)

The Web Blocker turns back on automatically when the time is up — the settings pane shows "Paused until…" with a **Resume Blocking** button if you want to end the break early. The same pause options are available as actions in the Shortcuts app (see [Integrations](/docs/settings/integrations)).

### "It's not blocking anything"

If websites aren't being blocked, check these things:

1. **Is the Web Blocker enabled?** Check the main toggle switch
2. **Are you within work hours?** If you have a schedule set, make sure it's currently active
3. **Is it temporarily disabled?** Look for a message saying "Temporarily disabled until..."
4. **Did you give Chronoid permission?** The first time you use it, macOS will ask for permission

## Different Ways to Use the Web Blocker

### For Regular 9-5 Workers

- Enable Schedule: **ON**
- Working Hours: **9:00 AM to 5:00 PM**
- Active Days: **Monday to Friday**
- Manual Override: **OFF** (turn on when needed)

This blocks distracting sites during your work hours on weekdays only.

### For Students

- Enable Schedule: **ON**
- Working Hours: **8:00 AM to 12:00 PM** (study time)
- Active Days: **Every day**
- Manual Override: **ON** for evening study sessions

This creates a morning study routine but lets you activate blocking anytime for late-night studying.

### For Remote Workers

- Enable Schedule: **OFF**
- Just turn the Web Blocker on when you start working
- Turn it off when you're done

This gives you complete control - perfect if your schedule changes daily.

### For Night Shift Workers

- Enable Schedule: **ON**
- Working Hours: **10:00 PM to 6:00 AM**
- Active Days: Select your work nights

The Web Blocker handles overnight schedules perfectly - it knows when you're working past midnight.

## Tips for Success

### Start Small
If you've never used a web blocker before, start with just a few hours a day. You can increase it as you get comfortable.

### Be Realistic
Set a schedule that matches when you actually work, not when you think you should work. You can always use Manual Override for extra sessions.

### Use Breaks Wisely
The temporary disable feature is there for a reason. Taking real breaks helps you stay focused when you return to work.

### Review Weekly
Every week, check if your schedule still makes sense. Are you using Manual Override too often? Maybe adjust your schedule.

## Privacy & Security

Everything happens on your Mac - we never see which websites you visit or when you're working. The Web Blocker works by:

- Checking sites against a local list of distracting websites
- Blocking them at the system level (works with all browsers)
- Keeping all your data private on your device

## Need Help?

If something isn't working right:

1. **Restart Chronoid** - Sometimes this fixes permission issues
2. **Check System Preferences** - Make sure Chronoid has the permissions it needs
3. **Contact Support** - Email us at support@chronoid.app

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Remember: The Web Blocker is a tool to help you focus, not a punishment. Use it flexibly to create the work environment that helps you be most productive!

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Source: https://www.chronoid.app/docs/web-blocker/web-blocker