Focus presets for Mac
Updated 2026-07-03 ยท 8 min read
Focus presets for Mac save the app and website boundaries that belong in a work session. Instead of rebuilding a blocklist every time, Nudge lets you start coding, writing, studying, or admin mode from the menu bar.
Quick answer
Nudge presets combine allowed apps, blocked websites, and a focus timer into reusable Mac work modes. Use different presets for Deep Work, Writing Sprint, Study Block, Admin, or any repeated workflow.
Why presets matter
Less setup
Start faster
Use saved rules instead of rebuilding a blocklist before every session.Better fit
Match the task
Writing, coding, studying, and admin should not all use the same boundaries.More consistent
Repeat the habit
One menu bar start is easier to repeat than a manual setup ritual.Focus preset examples
Start with a few modes you repeat every week. Keep each one specific enough that the allowed apps and blocked websites are obvious.
| Preset | Allow | Block | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Deep Work | Editor, terminal, docs, notes. | Slack, social, video, news, personal email. | Coding, strategy, complex problem solving. |
| Writing Sprint | Writing app, notes, selected sources. | Research drift, feeds, inbox, video, analytics. | Drafting and editing. |
| Study Block | Notes, LMS, PDFs, flashcards, research. | YouTube, Reddit, games, social, shopping. | Reading, review, and exam prep. |
| Admin | Calendar, email, docs, billing, task manager. | Social, news, video, unrelated dashboards. | Small operational tasks without wandering. |
The same website can be useful in one mode and distracting in another
That is why one global blocklist is often too blunt.
A browser can be essential during research and dangerous during drafting. Slack can be required during an incident and destructive during deep work. YouTube can be useful for a specific tutorial and completely wrong during a study block.
Presets solve that by making the session the source of truth. Each preset answers the same question: what apps and sites belong in this work mode right now?
How to create useful presets
- Name the preset after a real work mode, not a vague goal.
- Add the apps that must stay available for that mode.
- Add the websites that usually break that mode.
- Start with three presets: Deep Work, Writing Sprint, and Admin.
- Adjust after real sessions instead of guessing every possible rule upfront.
FAQ
What are focus presets?
Focus presets are saved rules for a work session: which apps are allowed, which websites are blocked, and what boundary should apply when the timer starts.
Why are presets better than rebuilding a blocklist?
Presets reduce setup friction. If coding, writing, studying, and admin work need different boundaries, you can start the right mode without rebuilding the rules.
Can I have different blocked sites for different presets?
Yes. That is the point. A site can be useful during research and distracting during drafting, so the preset should match the task.
Do presets work with website blocking and app boundaries?
Yes. Nudge presets combine app boundaries and website blocking into one reusable Mac focus session.
Save the boundary once, start it fast every time
Create reusable presets for the work you repeat every week. 7-day free trial, no card.
Download for macOS