FocusPact: Reclaiming Focus Through Intention and Connection

What Inspired Me

I built FocusPact because I was struggling with my own relationship with screens.

Solo app blockers weren't working. I'd set timers or limits, then override them without much thought. What I really needed wasn't stricter software. I needed to remember why I was trying to disconnect in the first place.

That shift, from punishment to purpose, sparked the idea behind FocusPact.

I wanted to create a tool that didn't just block distractions, but helped me reconnect with what mattered. Something that made me pause, reflect, and commit to using my time with intention, not guilt.

Learning to Build (from Scratch)

When I started, I had no prior coding experience.

I used AI tools like Cursor, Replit, and Augment Code to learn as I built. Every screen, every bit of logic, and every bug fix came through a mix of curiosity, experimentation, and conversations with AI.

My stack included:

• Swift + React Native: To build the iOS-only app
• Supabase: For user authentication, group tracking, and streak logic
• AI tools: Cursor helped with code generation and debugging, Replit allowed for quick testing, and Augment Code helped tackle logic errors

This wasn't just building an app; it was learning how to code, how to think in systems, and how to ship something real, all at the same time.

Philosophy Behind the App

FocusPact is built on three core principles: intention setting, social accountability, and purpose over punishment.

Rather than relying on willpower or rigid blocks, FocusPact helps you build habits that align with your values. You set a weekly intention, something you actually care about, and create "Focus Blocks" that limit sessions and durations on specific apps in an effort to use them with more intention.

You can add friends - people you trust to see your progress, offer encouragement, and help you stay accountable. There's no algorithmic pairing, just the support of people you choose.

The goal is to make each moment of focus feel meaningful, not forced. To replace mindless scrolling with mindful action.

What I Learned

Building FocusPact taught me more than just code.

Behavior change needs emotion. We don't change habits just by removing options, we change them by remembering what matters to us and making it desirable.

A little friction is a good thing. When users take a moment to reflect, by setting a goal or writing an intention, they're more likely to stick with it.

Technology is teachable. With AI tools and curiosity, I was able to go from zero experience to building and launching an iOS app.

I also realized how important community is not just for users, but for me as a solo builder. I had no cofounder or mentor. My collaborators were tools, testers, and a small group of friends who kept me inspired and motivated.

Challenges I Faced

• iOS permissions: Navigating Apple's Screen Time API took time and experimentation.
• Overlay logic: Ensuring the app consistently shows a blocking screen when needed was more complex than expected.
• UX trade-offs: I had to constantly balance simplicity with meaning. Too simple, and the intention disappears. Too complex, and users won't follow through.
• Going solo: Learning to build, debug, ship, and support an app entirely on my own was overwhelming at times—but deeply fulfilling.

What's Next

FocusPact is still early, and there's more to come:

• Android support
• Group streak tracking and summaries
• Expanded social features like group challenges and encouragement messages

The long-term vision is to build not just a screen-time tool, but a system of support for intentional living. Something that helps people return to what matters, one block at a time.

Built With

• cloudflare
• expo.io
• objective-c
• reactnative
• supabase
• swift
• typescript