Break Activities
Not just a blank screen.
Eye Rest
Guided focus exercises. Look at distant objects. Blink sequences. Palm cupping.
Stretching
Desk-friendly stretches for neck, shoulders, wrists, and back.
Breathing
Box breathing, 4-7-8 technique, and simple breath awareness.
Movement
Walk prompts, standing exercises, and active recovery movements.
Features
Kiosk Mode Lock
Uses macOS kiosk-mode technology to create an unbypassable break screen. This isn't a notification — it's a full screen takeover.
Smart Detection
Automatically pauses during meetings, presentations, and screen sharing. Your important calls won't be interrupted.
Menu Bar Integration
Minimal presence. Just a countdown timer showing when your next break arrives. Click to see your schedule.
Emergency Exit
Press Ctrl+Q five times for genuine emergencies. Intentionally inconvenient so you can't abuse it.
Local & Private
All data stays on your Mac. No accounts, no cloud sync, no tracking. Your break habits are yours alone.
Common Questions
Can I really not skip breaks?
That's the point. The screen locks using macOS kiosk mode. There's an emergency exit (Ctrl+Q x5) for genuine urgent situations, but it's intentionally hard to use.
What about meetings and calls?
ISTAB detects when you're in a video call, screen sharing, or presenting. Breaks automatically pause until you're done.
Will it interrupt important work?
The menu bar always shows your countdown. You can see breaks coming. Plan your deep work around them, or let them enforce the rhythm you know you need.
What's the science behind the intervals?
Micro-breaks use the 20-20-20 rule (ophthalmologist-recommended). Long breaks follow ultradian rhythms — 90-minute cycles of peak focus. Short breaks add movement to prevent sedentary harm.
Is my data private?
Completely. Everything stays on your Mac. No accounts, no analytics, no cloud. We never see your break schedule or habits.