Focus presets for Mac
Updated 2026-07-03 · 8 min read
Focus presets for Mac save the apps and websites to block in a work session. Instead of rebuilding a blocklist every time, Nudge lets you start a coding, writing, studying, or admin preset from the menu bar.
Quick answer
Nudge presets combine blocked apps, blocked websites, and a focus timer into reusable Mac work sessions. Use different presets for Deep Work, Writing Sprint, Study Block, Admin, or any repeated workflow.
Why do focus presets matter?
Less setup
Start faster
Use saved rules instead of rebuilding a blocklist before every session.Better fit
Match the task
Writing, coding, studying, and admin should not all use the same block list.More consistent
Repeat the habit
One menu bar start is easier to repeat than a manual setup ritual.Focus preset examples
Start with a few presets you repeat every week. Keep each one specific enough that the apps and websites to block are obvious.
| Preset | Block | Stays open | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deep Work | Slack, social, video, news, personal email. | Editor, terminal, docs, notes. | Coding, strategy, complex problem solving. |
| Writing Sprint | Research drift, feeds, inbox, video, analytics. | Writing app, notes, selected sources. | Drafting and editing. |
| Study Block | YouTube, Reddit, games, social, shopping. | Notes, LMS, PDFs, flashcards, research. | Reading, review, and exam prep. |
| Admin | Social, news, video, unrelated dashboards. | Calendar, email, docs, billing, task manager. | Small operational tasks without wandering. |
The same website can be useful in one task and distracting in another
That is why one global blocklist is often too blunt.
A browser can be essential during research and dangerous during drafting. Slack can be required during an incident and destructive during deep work. YouTube can be useful for a specific tutorial and completely wrong during a study block.
Presets solve that by making the session the source of truth. Each preset answers the same question: what apps and sites do not belong in this work right now?
How do you create useful presets?
- Name the preset after a real task, not a vague goal.
- Add the apps that usually pull you out of that task.
- Add the websites that usually break it.
- Start with three presets: Deep Work, Writing Sprint, and Admin.
- Adjust after real sessions instead of guessing every possible rule upfront.
FAQ
What are focus presets?
Focus presets are saved rules for a work session: which apps and websites are blocked when the timer starts.
Why are presets better than rebuilding a blocklist?
Presets reduce setup friction. If coding, writing, studying, and admin work need different boundaries, you can start the right preset without rebuilding the rules.
Can I have different blocked sites for different presets?
Yes. That is the point. A site can be useful during research and distracting during drafting, so the preset should match the task.
Do presets block both websites and apps?
Yes. Nudge presets combine app and website blocking into one reusable Mac focus session.
Save the boundary once, start it fast every time
Create reusable presets for the work you repeat every week. 7 days free, no card to start. Then $9.99 once for Lifetime Access.
Download for macOS