/shieldbug

Minimalist chrome extension for blocking distractions

Primary LanguageTypeScript

Shieldbug

Chrome Web Store Link

Shieldbug is a free Chrome extension for blocking distracting websites and keeping you from doomscrolling I (the author) use it to keep myself from obsessively checking the news, and other doomscrolly-content.

About

This is a quick hobby project which serves a couple purposes:

  • Replacing a Site Blocking extension I paid for that started adding intrusive features (and periodically broke basic features). I use both to intercept distracting websites so I can actually focus on rewarding tasks without falling into the news / infinite-scrolling attention abyss.
  • Letting me experiment with generating code templates with GPT-4, which was fun and enlightening (and taught me some associated pitfalls).

This is NOT a showcase-enterprise-quality codebase, I'd lump it in more with "hackathon-level" code, with pitfalls like multiple styling libraries (originally used bootstrap, switched to Material UI), weak tests, etc. I revisit it every few months to add minor enhancements when I want a feature, fix, or just to try a new thing for self-edification.