---
title: Blockr
date: '2020-07-28T00:00:00+00:00'
url: https://www.abhinav.co/blockr
summary: Blockr is a simple command line tool to block distracting websites, with
  easy switching between focused and relaxed modes.
tags:
- blockr
- Productivity
- Open Source
- CLI
- Ruby
- Gem
- Technology
author: Abhinav Saxena
---

# Blockr

There are distractions all around. Our attention span is continuously decreasing, and so is our ability to focus and do deep work.

<br />
blockr is a command line tool to easily **block** websites to avoid distractions. At the same time, blockr makes it extremely easy to **unblock** websites in case you need to access them. 

<br />
If you prefer a different workflow and like focussed and relaxed modes, blockr also lets you switch between these modes ensuring you are able to access blocked websites in relaxed mode - blockr provides **activate** and **deactivate** command to support this use case.

<br />
Please note this is alpha software, and is currently tested only on mac (Apple's OSX)


### Installation
```
$ sudo gem install blockr
```

### Commands
```
$ blockr block [WEBSITES]    # block websites; shortcut -d
$ blockr unblock [WEBSITES]  # unblock websites; shortcut -u
$ blockr activate            # activate blockr, make all websites blocked by blockr inaccessible; shortcut -a
$ blockr deactivate          # deactivate focus mode, make all blocked websites accessible; shortcut -d
$ blockr help [COMMAND]      # Describe available commands or one specific command
```

### Examples
```
$ sudo blockr -b www.example.com   # block
$ sudo blockr -u www.example.com   # unblock
$ sudo blockr -a                   # activate focus mode
$ sudo blockr -d                   # deactivate focus mode
```

### Source code
Source code is present on [Github](https://github.com/abhinavs/blockr) - please check [README](https://github.com/abhinavs/blockr/blob/master/README.md) for more detailed documentation.


### Website
Please check [project home](https://www.abhinav.co/blockr.html) for regular updates.