Foreground Mac · early access
Focus timer for brains that drift

The one thing you're supposed to be doing, always in front of you.

A small window that floats above everything else. It reads your calendar, shows the current task and how long you have, and nothing else. When you drift, the number is right there.

Mac · macOS 13+ Reads your calendar, nothing leaves your Mac Free tier, Pro $39/year
This is the real thing, running in your browser with sample tasks. Press Start. Click the digits for the minute grid.

How it works

1

It reads your calendar.

Whatever you already schedule tasks in becomes the source. Google Calendar today; Apple Calendar, Todoist and Reclaim on the list. You never type a task twice.

2

Press Start. It counts down.

Green, then amber, then red when time is nearly up. Past zero it counts up, so drifting has a number instead of a vague feeling.

3

Press Done. The day gets written down.

The time you actually spent goes back on your calendar. At the end of the day you can see where the hours went, without keeping a log.


Why it's different

It already knows what you should be doing.Timers you have to remember to set don't get set. This one starts from your calendar, so the decision is already made.
It stays on top of every window.Not a tab, not a menu bar icon you forget exists. A small window that is always in the corner of your eye.
One task at a time.The rest of your list stays hidden until you ask for it. Nothing to scan, nothing to reorganize instead of working.
Quiet until you press Start.Between tasks it just shows what's next and when. Ticking is something you choose, not something done to you.

What's in it

Free

  • Floating window, always on top of everything else
  • Reads one calendar
  • Big pixel digits, or a minute grid
  • Green, amber, red as time runs low
  • Counts up once time is gone
  • A task list stored on your Mac
  • Light and dark mode
  • Launches when you log in

Pro PRO

  • Writes the time you actually spent back onto your calendar
  • Watches several calendars at once
  • Reclaim sync: starting, stopping and marking a task done all log there too. Todoist support is next.
  • Start a brand new task right from the timer
  • Priority support

Pricing

Free
$0forever
  • Everything listed under Free above
Pro PRO
$39/year, or $4.99/month

14-day free trial. One license covers up to 3 Macs.


Privacy, plainly

Your calendar is read on your Mac and never uploaded anywhere.

The only things that leave your Mac are your email address, if you join the list, and your license key, to check that it's valid.

No analytics inside the app.


FAQ

Does it work with Google Calendar?

Yes. Add your Google account to macOS Calendar and Foreground reads it from there.

Do I need Reclaim or Todoist?

No. They're optional, for people who already use them.

What counts as a task?

Any timed event on the calendars you choose. Events with other people on them are skipped by default, so meetings don't take over the timer.

Does it float over full-screen apps?

Not yet. That's a macOS limitation. It works over regular windows.

Intel or Apple silicon?

Apple silicon today. An Intel build is available on request.

Refunds?

Try Pro free for 14 days first. If you buy it and it isn't for you, email us within 14 days.


Early access

Where do your tasks live today? (pick any)
Mac first. Early access is free while it's being tested. You'll hear about pricing before anyone else does, and you can leave the list any time.

You're on the list.

Thank you. When it's your turn you'll get one email with the download link and nothing else in between. If you know someone who drifts, send them tryforeground.com.