Focusdim

Product Introduction

1. FocusDim is a macOS application designed to enhance productivity by visually emphasizing active windows while reducing distractions from background applications. It operates through two primary modes: Dim Background Mode automatically reduces brightness of non-active windows, and Border Highlight Mode adds colored borders around the current focus area. The tool supports multi-monitor setups and offers granular customization of visual effects, including dimming intensity (0-100%), border width adjustments, and animation speed controls (0.1-3.0 seconds).
2. The core value of FocusDim lies in its ability to create a distraction-free workflow through real-time visual prioritization. By dynamically adjusting screen elements based on user activity, it reduces cognitive load and improves task retention. The product achieves this without system performance compromises, utilizing macOS-native frameworks for efficient rendering and storing all preferences locally via UserDefaults for privacy.

Main Features

1. FocusDim provides two operational modes: Dim Background Mode reduces brightness of inactive windows with adjustable intensity (75% in free tier, 0-100% in Pro) and customizable fade animations, while Border Highlight Mode adds colored borders (16+ presets or custom HEX codes) around active windows with configurable width (1-10px) and corner styles (rounded/square).
2. Advanced customization includes per-app exclusions to maintain full visibility of designated tools (e.g., music players), multi-monitor synchronization, and animation timing controls for transitions. Pro users gain access to settings import/export functionality and granular control over dimming curves through a system-level compositing layer.
3. The menu bar integration enables instant toggling between modes, quick access to preference panels, and real-time adjustments without interrupting workflow. All processing occurs locally via Core Graphics APIs, ensuring zero network dependencies and sub-2% CPU usage during typical operation.

Problems Solved

1. FocusDim addresses visual clutter in multi-window environments by automatically de-emphasizing non-essential screen elements, reducing accidental task-switching frequency by up to 40% according to user-reported metrics. The solution is particularly effective for users working with overlapping applications across large or multiple displays.
2. The primary target users include software developers, data analysts, and creative professionals who require sustained focus during deep work sessions while maintaining quick access to reference materials. Secondary users encompass multi-taskers managing communication tools alongside primary workflows.
3. Typical use cases include coding with documentation browsers, video editing with asset libraries, financial modeling with real-time data feeds, and academic research involving multiple reference documents. The app exclusion feature specifically benefits users requiring persistent visibility of auxiliary tools like system monitors or media controllers.

Unique Advantages

1. Unlike competing focus tools relying on window management or virtual desktops, FocusDim uses macOS-native visual compositing to modify existing workspace elements without altering window positions or z-index hierarchies. This approach preserves existing workflows while adding visual layering.
2. The product introduces patent-pending "adaptive dimming" technology that automatically adjusts background darkness based on active window content brightness, preventing eye strain during prolonged use. This is complemented by hardware-accelerated rendering that maintains performance even on 5K displays.
3. Competitive differentiation stems from the one-time purchase model (vs subscription-based alternatives), full offline functionality, and UserDefaults-based storage that keeps all preferences device-local. The Pro version's settings import/export feature enables enterprise-scale deployment across teams without cloud dependencies.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What macOS versions does FocusDim support? FocusDim requires macOS Monterey 12.4 or later due to its use of SwiftUI 4 and Metal 3 optimizations. The app is compatible with both Intel and Apple Silicon architectures, with native support for macOS Sonoma's Stage Manager.
2. How does FocusDim handle privacy? All settings are stored locally using UserDefaults with no internet connectivity requirements. The app contains zero analytics SDKs, telemetry packages, or crash reporting tools, as verified by Little Snitch network monitoring.
3. What's the difference between Free and Pro versions? The free version includes basic dimming (75% fixed intensity) and blue borders, while Pro unlocks 0-100% dimming, custom colors, app exclusions, rounded corners, and animation controls. Pro settings can be exported as JSON for backup or multi-device synchronization.
4. Can FocusDim affect system performance? The app uses <2% CPU during normal operation through Metal-optimized compositing. Memory footprint remains under 50MB, with no impact on GPU temperature or battery life in M1/M2 MacBooks.
5. How do app exclusions work? Users can create an exclusion list through process identifiers (PID) or application names. Excluded apps remain fully visible regardless of focus state, with their windows bypassing both dimming and border effects at the compositor level.