QuiteCode

A macOS app that blocks the AI for a while, so your brain does the work.

QuiteCode in dark mode: pick a session length and start a focus session
QuiteCode in light mode: pick a session length and start a focus session

Why I built this app

Our cognitive power is diminishing

MIT ran EEGs on people writing with ChatGPT. Brain connectivity dropped by up to 55%, and most couldn't quote their own essay minutes later. A 666 (for real)-person study found the same: the more you lean on AI, the worse your thinking gets. Use it or lose it.

Lack of focus

Every "quick question" to a chat tab is a context switch. You stop holding the problem in your head because you know the model will hold it for you. That habit is hard to break with willpower alone, which is why blockers work and good intentions don't.

Enjoy using my brain

Wrestling with a hard problem and cracking it yourself feels great. That pure, undistracted flow is where learning actually happens, and it's exactly the part the model takes away from you. I wanted it back.

A nice and short read also from Jake Goldstein on this topic.

How to buy?

The pricing is simple: $14.99, one-time fee. Buy it directly, or download it and use it 2 times for free first.

Download trial Buy now

Frequently asked questions

  1. What exactly does it block?
    Network traffic from your Mac to AI providers (OpenAI, Anthropic, Google, and friends) for the duration you pick. Everything else keeps working: docs, Stack Overflow, your own head.
  2. What if I don't like it?
    We offer a 5-day money-back guarantee. If QuiteCode doesn't work for you, just email us and we'll refund you in full with no questions asked.
  3. Do I need an account?
    No. There's no account, no cloud, no telemetry. It's a switch.
  4. Where to report issues?
    For issues that you face, new providers that are not blocked properly etc, feel free to open an issue on the GitHub repository.
  5. Is there a similar app?
    There are adjacent apps that do a similar thing, like SelfControl but they fail to block the dynamic nature of AI providers as it mainly targets /etc/hosts which does not block effectively subdomains etc. I myself used SelfControl to block access to YouTube and more websites.
  6. How to uninstall the app?
    To fully uninstall the app, and remove any lingering state, you can click File > Uninstall from the menu bar while the app is running.