Curbox is an open-source initiative against internet and social-media overconsumption. It builds and distributes tools that help people curb screen time and digital addiction so they can keep a healthy balance between the virtual and the real.
Curbox was started by Nethical in April 2024. It grew out of a simple observation: living a normal life today means being online, but being online shouldn't mean losing yourself to the feed.
Curbox is built in the open by its community, for the community. Its founding principle is that software designed to reduce digital distraction must remain open and accessible to everyone, regardless of age or budget. Everything ships under the GNU GPL v3 license, so the project's privacy promises are verifiable in the code rather than just stated.
Build and distribute tools that curb screen time and digital addiction for people of all ages. As internet usage keeps growing, staying connected to reality should not be a luxury. Curbox exists to help people stay focused, present, and in control of their own attention.
Curbox is a screen-time and app-blocker for people who want their attention back without handing their data to anyone. It watches for the apps, websites, and short-form feeds you choose and shows a configurable pause screen when you reach a limit. The experience is organized into three areas:
- Usage — see where your time actually goes, with per-app and per-website insights.
- Focus — timed deep-work sessions that block distractions on demand and track your focused time across sessions.
- Reducers — a toolbox of limits and gentle nudges that tilt your habits the right way.
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Granular blocking — block a whole app, a single feature like Instagram Reels or YouTube Shorts, or one URL path while leaving the rest usable.
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Smart rules and schedules — usage limits, time windows, and unlock caps so a block applies only when you actually need it.
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Unlock challenges — choose your friction in advance: a cooldown, a QR or barcode scan, or typing out your intent before an app opens.
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Insights and live awareness — per-app and per-website usage, plus a live count of how much short-form content you have scrolled today.
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Mindful nudges — per-app grayscale, automatic Do Not Disturb, and reflection messages that quietly nudge you toward better habits.
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Cross Sync - Automatically sync configs and usage analytics across all devices
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End to End Encrypted - All data you store on our server is End to End encrypted. or You are free to alternatively setup and use your own servers.
Curbox has no telemetry, no accounts, and no data collection. Your usage analytics never leave your device. Because the entire codebase is open source, that promise is verifiable rather than just stated.
Want to donate to the project? visit https://curbox.app/donate
Android Browser Extension Ios (comming soon)
For custom features or commercial support, reach out to Nethical at questphone@proton.me.