> ## Documentation Index
> Fetch the complete documentation index at: https://docs.focusme.com/llms.txt
> Use this file to discover all available pages before exploring further.

# Block Email Inboxes but Allow Sending

> Stop checking email compulsively while still being able to send messages.

Constant email checking is a major productivity killer. This guide shows you how to block your inbox while keeping the ability to compose and send emails.

## The Strategy

Instead of blocking your entire email provider, block only the **inbox view** while allowing the **compose** page.

## Gmail

1. Block: `mail.google.com`

<Frame caption="Blacklist — mail.google.com blocks the entire inbox">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/focusme/f2B5B4S6h27RCqMA/images/guide-block-email-blacklist.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=f2B5B4S6h27RCqMA&q=85&s=bc9568b6d3c8e472ac4248cff820bfb7" width="1002" height="800" data-path="images/guide-block-email-blacklist.png" />
</Frame>

2. Whitelist these compose URLs:
   * `mail.google.com/mail/?view=cm&fs=1&tf=1`
   * `mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?fs=1&tf=cm`
3. As a title fallback, also whitelist by **Title**: `Compose Mail`

<Frame caption="Whitelist — compose URLs and title whitelisted">
  <img src="https://mintcdn.com/focusme/f2B5B4S6h27RCqMA/images/guide-block-email-whitelist.png?fit=max&auto=format&n=f2B5B4S6h27RCqMA&q=85&s=001071d69f6c0dac921b4cdcda949c10" width="1002" height="800" data-path="images/guide-block-email-whitelist.png" />
</Frame>

<Tip>Bookmark `https://mail.google.com/mail/?view=cm&fs=1&tf=1` in your browser favourites bar. This opens the compose window directly without loading the inbox, so you can fire off emails without getting distracted by unread messages.</Tip>

## Outlook (Web)

1. Block: `outlook.live.com` or `outlook.office.com`
2. Whitelist: `outlook.live.com/mail/compose` or `outlook.office.com/mail/compose`

## Desktop Email Clients

For apps like Outlook desktop or Thunderbird, blocking the application entirely prevents both reading and sending. If you need to send but not read:

1. Use the **web version** of your email with the URL-based approach above
2. Block the desktop email application by process name
3. Or schedule email access to specific times (e.g., 9 AM, 12 PM, 4 PM) using a Weekly Schedule

<Tip>A popular approach: instead of partial blocking, schedule your email access. Create a plan that blocks email entirely except during 2-3 designated checking windows per day. This builds the habit of batching email.</Tip>