Installation

Install GazeKeeper on your Mac and what to expect on first launch.

Download the DMG

Download GazeKeeper.dmg from the download page and open it. Drag GazeKeeper into your Applications folder. Eject the disk image, then open the app from Applications.

Requirements

macOS 14 (Sonoma) or later.

First launch

GazeKeeper has no Dock icon or main window. It adds an icon to the menu bar. The first launch opens a welcome window with three steps:

  1. Rhythm. Choose one of three presets: every 20 minutes for 20 seconds (the default), every 30 minutes for 1 minute, or every 50 minutes for 5 minutes. You can change both numbers later.
  2. Holds. Switch on or off the four smart-pause signals: camera in use, microphone in use, screen sharing and fullscreen apps. This step also has an Allow button for notifications.
  3. Start. Choose whether GazeKeeper opens at login. A Try one button runs a 5-second break so you can see the break screen.

Office hours are off by default, so breaks run whenever the app runs. To see the welcome again, choose Show Welcome in the menu bar item.

Permissions

  • Notifications. GazeKeeper uses notifications for one thing: a heads-up banner when a fullscreen app is in front and the fullscreen detector is off, so the pill cannot appear. If you decline, everything else works.
  • Calendar. macOS asks when you turn on Settings → Calendar → Offer breaks before meetings. GazeKeeper reads meeting start times only.

There is no account and no sign-in.

Updates

GazeKeeper checks for updates through Sparkle. You can also choose Check for Updates in the menu bar item.

Where your data lives

Settings and stats are stored in ~/Library/Application Support/GazeKeeper. Choose Settings → Advanced → Reveal stats & settings folder to open it. To remove the data, quit the app and delete that folder.

To change the rhythm, see setting up.