Amnesia

What it does

Amnesia is a local-first macOS menu bar app that tracks when you open common time-sink apps like X, YouTube, Reddit, Slack, Gmail, and GitHub. The moment a tracked app comes to the front, Amnesia slides in and asks you to state your intent — e.g., "Check replies," "Find something," or a custom goal. A small floating reminder keeps your intent visible along with a live timer and a countdown to the next check-in. When you leave the app or hit a time limit, Amnesia asks whether you actually accomplished what you set out to do. At the end of the day, it generates a private report showing how many times you opened tracked apps, how often you forgot why, and total time lost.

Who it is for

Amnesia is designed for Mac users who habitually open social media, messaging, or analytics platforms and find themselves distracted. It targets knowledge workers, remote employees, and anyone who struggles with mindless browsing — especially those who open an app with a specific purpose but get pulled into feeds, timelines, or side channels. The tool is built for individuals, not teams, and requires no account or cloud sync.

Why it matters

Amnesia addresses a specific cognitive problem: the moment a feed loads, your original intent often evaporates. The app reframes distraction not as a willpower failure but as a memory problem. By forcing you to articulate your goal before entering the app and keeping that goal visible, it creates a gentle friction that can prevent hours of lost time. The daily report provides an honest, private metric — not a streak or leaderboard — of how often "the feed won." This approach is more about awareness than restriction, making it a unique alternative to site blockers or focus timers.

Launch signal

Amnesia is currently in early access as a one-time purchase for $19. It is built by indie developer Vidur Saini and distributed via Dodo Payments. The app is signed and notarized for macOS, and updates are delivered through built-in beta updates. There is no subscription, no cloud component, and no account creation required. The website includes a FAQ section and a buy button, indicating the product is live and available for download.

Brand and naming

The name "Amnesia" directly references the core problem the app solves: forgetting why you opened a tab. It is memorable, slightly provocative, and positions the tool as a cure for a specific cognitive failure. The branding is minimal and honest, with a focus on privacy and local-first design. The tagline "Catch yourself before the feed does" reinforces the app's role as a gentle gatekeeper rather than a strict enforcer.