Descreen sits in the menu bar and enforces regular breaks from screen time at user-defined intervals. The app targets eye strain and screen fatigue by providing timed reminders to look away from the display.
Break intervals and durations are configurable. Notification warnings appear at 1, 2, and 5 minutes before a break is due, with a countdown timer in the menu bar during the lead-up. A “Take break now” button allows triggering a break early. Focus time mode suspends break reminders for a set period and includes a cooldown mechanism to prevent repeated bypassing.
Scheduling controls allow disabling break blocking on specific days of the week, accommodating variable work patterns. The app requires no account, stores no data externally, and operates entirely on-device.
System requirements
- macOS (specific version not specified)
- Available via GitHub
Limitations
- No visual scenery or guided break activities; reminder-only
- Requires building from source for the latest version
- No App Store distribution
Alternatives
- SkyBreak (Free): Break reminders with scenery photos and statistics
- Time Out (Freemium): Highly configurable break scheduling with custom screens
- Lungo (Freemium): Screen-on tool (inverse use case)
Suitable for users who want a straightforward, configurable break reminder with no distractions or subscription requirements.
