Hootz

Hootz is a desktop application designed to function as an AI-powered productivity companion, specifically targeting users who struggle with digital distractions and procrastination during work or study sessions. Its core mission is to help individuals achieve deep focus by automatically monitoring computer activity, detecting when the user drifts into unproductive behaviors, and providing gentle, non-intrusive nudges to guide attention back to intended tasks. Unlike traditional time-tracking tools that require manual start and stop, Hootz operates passively in the background on macOS devices (version 11+), recording which applications and websites are used and for how long. This data is then processed to categorize time into focused, neutral, and distracted segments, offering users a clear, visual breakdown of their daily productivity patterns. One of the standout features is its real-time distraction detection: when the system identifies prolonged engagement with non-work-related content—such as social media, entertainment platforms, or instant messaging apps—Hootz sends soft reminders (customizable as pop-up alerts, sound cues, or desktop notifications) to encourage the user to return to their primary work. These reminders are designed to be supportive rather than punitive; they emphasize self-awareness and mindful habit formation rather than guilt or stress. Additionally, the tool includes a built-in focus timer that can be set for specific intervals (e.g., 25-minute Pomodoro sessions), during which distractions are more aggressively filtered. Beyond real-time feedback, Hootz provides daily, weekly, and monthly reports that summarize time allocation across different categories. Users can see exactly how much time they spent on productive tasks versus distractions, wh