Key Facts
- ✓ Digital Carrot blocks access to specified apps and websites until users meet physical or digital goals, such as walking 5,000 steps.
- ✓ The app supports multiple operating systems, including iOS, Mac, and Windows, ensuring cross-platform utility.
- ✓ Privacy is a core feature, with a strict policy of never collecting or sharing user data and using AES256 encryption for sync.
- ✓ Plugins are sandboxed to prevent data leakage between applications and require explicit user permission for external access.
- ✓ The blocking system is extensible, allowing integration with DNS services like Pi-hole or control of IoT devices via REST APIs.
Reclaiming Focus
In an era of constant digital distraction, a new tool aims to help users regain control over their screen time through programmable willpower. Digital Carrot is a versatile app blocker designed for iOS, Mac, and Windows that operates on a simple premise: access to distracting apps and websites is granted only after specific, verifiable goals are achieved.
The application moves beyond traditional time-based blocking, introducing a system where digital locks are tied to real-world accomplishments. By connecting with health data and task management tools, it creates a tangible link between productivity and digital freedom.
How It Works
The core functionality of Digital Carrot revolves around its pluggable architecture. Users can install plugins that feed data into the system, which is then used to evaluate goal completion. These goals are defined by logical expressions that return a true or false value based on the data collected.
For instance, a user could block access to Reddit, Instagram, and Steam until their Apple Watch confirms they have walked 5,000 steps. Similarly, the app can integrate with task lists; a user might write an expression like data.apple_reminders.due == 0 to ensure all overdue tasks are cleared before entertainment becomes available.
The blocking mechanism itself is also modular. It supports standard DNS blocking through services like Pi-hole, but its capabilities extend far beyond web browsers. The framework allows for control over anything accessible via a REST API, opening possibilities such as:
- Locking a smart lock on a snack cupboard
- Adjusting office AC settings until a user goes outside
- Controlling smart home devices based on work completion
"Like many of you, I've been dismayed by big tech's lack of concern for our privacy, so keeping these guarantees is personally very important for me."
— Digital Carrot Developer
Privacy First Design
Despite being designed to collect personal data for goal evaluation, Digital Carrot places a heavy emphasis on user privacy. The developer acknowledges the inherent contradiction and has implemented strict safeguards to ensure data remains under user control.
Information gathered by the app is not collected or shared by the developers. The sync feature utilizes AES256 encryption combined with the secure remote password protocol, ensuring that data remains protected during transmission. Furthermore, the application maintains transparency by allowing users to browse all data available for goal creation directly within the app interface.
Like many of you, I've been dismayed by big tech's lack of concern for our privacy, so keeping these guarantees is personally very important for me.
To prevent malicious behavior, all plugins operate within a sandboxed environment. They are isolated from one another and cannot access external networks unless explicitly granted permission by the user.
Developer Background
The project was born from a personal desire to "flip the script" on data collection—using the information gathered about a user to help reduce distractions rather than fuel addictive algorithms. The developer shared a personal anecdote highlighting the app's effectiveness: posting the announcement required walking 4km to unblock access to Hacker News.
Digital Carrot is currently available for demonstration and feedback, with the developer actively engaging with the community to refine its features. The source code for the plugin repository is publicly available, encouraging technical users to contribute or build custom integrations.
The application represents a shift toward user-centric utility, where technology serves as a tool for self-regulation rather than a source of endless engagement.
Looking Ahead
Digital Carrot offers a unique solution for individuals struggling with digital addiction by enforcing physical activity and task completion as prerequisites for entertainment. Its flexible, programmable nature allows for highly personalized usage scenarios, from simple website blocking to complex smart home automation.
As the digital landscape becomes increasingly cluttered with distractions, tools that prioritize intentionality and privacy are likely to see growing adoption. Digital Carrot stands out by turning the data collection model on its head, using it as a mechanism for discipline rather than manipulation.
"I had to walk 4km to unblock HN in order to post this."
— Digital Carrot Developer
