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The rule mode determines how blocking is enforced. FocusMe has four rule modes:
  • Block — targets are completely inaccessible
  • Time Limit — you get a budget of allowed time
  • Session Limit — limits how often you can open a target, with mandatory breaks
  • Screen Breaks — forces you away from the screen at regular intervals

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One Plan, Multiple Modes

On Weekly Schedule and Multi-Day plans, each time slot can have its own rule mode. For example, a single plan can:
  • Block social media completely during morning focus (9am–12pm)
  • Time Limit of 30 minutes at lunch (12pm–1pm)
  • Session Limit in the evening (6pm–10pm)
Previously this would have needed three separate plans. Now it’s one — and time limits and session limits reset automatically when each interval starts.

A weekly timeline with different rule modes per interval

For Focus Session plans, you choose a single rule mode that applies to the entire session.

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Block

The simplest and strictest option. While the plan is active, all targets are completely inaccessible. No time budget, no exceptions — just solid blocking. Best for:
  • Deep work sessions where you need zero distractions
  • Blocking sites/apps you never want to access during certain hours
  • Parental controls
How it works:
  • Plan activates → all targets blocked immediately
  • Targets remain blocked until the plan stops or the schedule ends
  • No time tracking — it’s all or nothing

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Time Limit

Gives you a budget of allowed time with your targets. Once the budget runs out, targets are blocked for the rest of the period. Configuration options:

Time Limit configuration

Examples:
  • 30 minutes of social media per day
  • 15 minutes of YouTube per hour
  • 4 hours of gaming per week
Best for:
  • Reducing screen time without eliminating it entirely
  • Building awareness of how much time you actually spend
  • Gradual habit change
How it works:
  1. Plan activates → targets are accessible, timer starts counting
  2. You use your budgeted time → timer counts down
  3. Budget runs out → targets are blocked for the rest of the period
  4. Period resets (e.g., next day or next interval) → budget refills
The Time Limit rule tracks actual usage time, not clock time. If your plan allows 30 minutes of Reddit per day, you get exactly 30 minutes of active Reddit browsing — time spent on other sites doesn’t count.

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Session Limit

Restricts how many times you can open a target app or website per day. Each time you open it counts as one session, and each session has a fixed duration. When the session ends, a mandatory break starts before you can open it again. Once all sessions are used up, the target is blocked for the rest of the day. Configuration options: Example: 5 sessions per day, 15 minutes each, with 30-minute breaks between them. How it works:
  1. Open the target → session timer starts
  2. Session ends after the configured duration
  3. Mandatory break begins — target is blocked
  4. Break ends → next session available (if any remain)
  5. All sessions used → blocked until the next day
Why it works: Session Limits change your relationship with distracting apps. Because you have a limited number of sessions, you naturally delay opening the app until you genuinely need it — you don’t want to waste a session on a quick impulse check. This transforms compulsive, mindless checking into deliberate, intentional use. The mandatory break between sessions also prevents the “just one more minute” trap. Even if you want to keep scrolling, the break forces a gap that breaks the cycle. Best for: Apps you need access to but check too often (email, social media, messaging). Unlike a Time Limit which lets you drain the entire budget in one sitting, Session Limits spread your usage across the day with built-in recovery gaps.

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Screen Breaks

Forces you to step away from your computer at regular intervals. Unlike the other rule modes, Screen Breaks always apply to the entire computer — not specific apps or websites. Configuration options:

Screen break in action — the lock screen during a break

Best for:
  • Preventing eye strain (20-20-20 rule)
  • Avoiding repetitive strain injuries
  • Maintaining energy throughout the day
  • Enforcing movement breaks for desk workers
How it works:
  1. Plan activates → work timer starts
  2. Work duration ends → screen locks, break timer starts
  3. Break ends → screen unlocks, work timer restarts
  4. Cycle repeats until the plan stops or schedule ends
During a screen break, your computer is temporarily locked. Your work is not affected — all applications continue running in the background. When the break ends, everything is exactly as you left it.

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Choosing the Right Rule Mode

You can combine multiple rule modes in one plan using a Weekly Schedule or Multi-Day Plan, or run separate plans with different modes — they all work independently.