AI-Powered Intent-Based Distraction Blocking #214
Description
Description
Right now, blocking in Mindful is manual i.e. users have to pick specific apps or websites. But distractions are often contextual, not platform-specific.
Example: If I want to study Quantum Physics, I might need YouTube (for lectures), but I don’t want unrelated entertainment videos. Blocking YouTube entirely makes me lose access to useful content, while unblocking it exposes me to distractions.
It would be amazing if Mindful could handle this more intelligently.
Idea
What if Mindful allowed users to simply type their goal in natural language, like:
- “Need to study for exams, avoid social media.”
- “Focus on Quantum Physics, block unrelated content.”
Then, with some kind of lightweight AI integration, the app could:
- Understand the intent (focus topics vs distractions).
- Monitor what the user is actually looking at.
- Allow goal-relevant content, but block unrelated/distraction content.
Why This Could Be Unique
As far as I know, no current distraction blocker does this. Some projects have tried (e.g., Intentional, FocusTug), but they’re no longer available or functional. So Mindful could really stand out by exploring this direction.
Notes
- I completely understand this is a long-term, ambitious feature, not something quick to add.
- There are obvious challenges (privacy, battery/CPU usage, classification accuracy).
- Even an experimental or optional version would already be groundbreaking.
Long Story Short
Instead of hardcoding blocklists, let users state their intent. AI then helps ensure only relevant content is allowed. This could make Mindful a true focus companion rather than just a blocker.
I know this is a big ask, but I wanted to share the idea in case it fits your vision for the future of Mindful!