Browser extension that boosts your productivity by allowing you to limit the amount of time you spend on distracting websites.
In brief, Time Snatch is a website blocking browser extension that allows users to limit the amount of time spent on distracting websites.
The first version was developed and released way back in 2017 out of my dorm room when I realized that I was spending too much time on distracting websites such as Instagram and YouTube, rather than studying for my exams. However, I did not want to simply block websites altogether. Many platforms provided real value and helped me stay connected with family and friends or simply allowed me to unwind after a long day. That is why I added the concept of timers - so I could still enjoy my favourite websites without overindulging in them.
I have been using the extension daily ever since it was published. The project was completely free and open-source from the start. It even received a couple of contributions from other developers (including a Google Engineer). Apart from that, I didn’t make frequent updates to the extension as it was serving its purpose well enough for my needs.
For more than 5 years, the extension averaged around 200-300 weekly active users. I was happy that so many people found value in something that I have built. However, towards the end of 2024 something changed. I noticed that the extension was getting a lot more attention, hitting over 1,000 weekly active users. That prompted me to completely redesign and rewrite the extension, with a more usable UI and a robust back end, which allowed me to add many new features. Time Snatch version 3 was published in March 2025 on Chrome, Firefox and Edge, the latter two featuring the extension for the first time. The extension has been growing ever since with many (I hope) happy users.
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