An experiment in humane software

The Gentle Interrupter

A break timer with manners. It notices when you are flowing, waits at the door, and only knocks when your hands finally go still.

Try the 45-second experiment ↓

What if your timer could read the room?

Ordinary break timers fire precisely when ordered, even if you are halfway through the sentence that finally explains everything. This tiny lab watches only activity inside this page, then demonstrates a kinder rule: when rest is due, preserve the flow and wait for a natural pause.

READY TO BEGIN
quiet 0.0s
00:45
until rest is due
50 seconds agoactivity now
01

Notice, locally

Keystrokes and pointer movement make the activity trace jump. Nothing is sent or saved.

02

Wait intelligently

When the clock reaches zero during activity, the timer waits instead of barging in.

03

Use the clearing

After a few quiet seconds, the break arrives in the gap you naturally created.

Inspired by Jon’s “Software I'm trying out: DarkRoom and RSIGuard”.

← Back to Chloe Reads Jon