Isshin by builder.group

Focus toolset for better work and fewer distractions.
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Introduction · Roadmap · Tech Stack · Contributing

🚧 Under construction. Coming soon 👀

Introduction

Isshin (一心: One Mind) — a state of singular focus and wholehearted dedication, where all energy is directed towards one goal, achieving an unparalleled level of concentration.

Isshin is a native macOS utility that connects your daily schedule with your digital environment. You plan your day once, and your computer automatically adjusts itself around that plan. No toggling, no willpower needed — just focus.

Roadmap

Isshin is developed with a validation-first approach. Instead of building the full system upfront, the project begins with a standalone Minimal Viable Product to validate user interest in focus enforcement and system-level blocking.

Minimal Viable Product — FocusCat (January)

FocusCat is a small, free macOS app built under the Isshin umbrella.
It has its own identity, runs fully locally, and works independently of the full Isshin system.

Its purpose is to test whether users are interested in enforced focus sessions with:

• Pomodoro-style timers
• App and site blocking
• Mandatory breaks

FocusCat is intentionally limited. It does not include planning, Zones, Tasks, or analytics. Feedback from this phase will inform how Isshin evolves.

Scope:

• Pomodoro Timer — Core focus and break cycles
• App & Site Blocking — Active only during focus sessions
• Break Enforcement — Breaks cannot be skipped once started
• Minimal Landing Page — Simple download and explanation

The POC also features a cozy mascot companion, inspired by Bongo Cat, to gamify focus sessions. It is designed to be shareable and fun, but exists as a standalone tool.

Beyond the POC — Isshin Vision

If validated, Isshin will expand into a planning-first focus system where your daily intent shapes your digital environment automatically.

Potential future directions include:

• Daily Planning — Schedule tasks and time blocks ahead of time
• Zones & Modes — Baseline and task-specific focus rules
• Context-Aware Blocking — Rules adapt dynamically to the active task
• Local Time Tracking — Private, on-device usage insights
• Commitment Enforcement — Optional hard locks and consequences

Isshin is designed as a native, private, one-time purchase tool.
All data stays on-device. No subscriptions. No cloud dependency.