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The 20s Rule interrupts the habit loop with a simple delay, transforming subconscious scrolling into a deliberate decision and putting you back in control of your focus.
Free & No Ads • Private by Design • Works Offline
Why Willpower Isn't Enough
You plan to be productive, but the path of least resistance leads straight to distraction. It's not a lack of willpower; it's an environment designed to make bad habits easy and good habits hard.
2.5 Hours daily lost to unintentional browsing
47% Of online time is spent on autopilot
20s All it takes to break the habit loop
The 20-Second Rule, Reimagined for Your Browser
The original 20-Second Rule states that by adding 20 seconds of friction to a bad habit (like hiding the TV remote), you're far less likely to do it. We apply that same, simple principle to your browser.
How It Works
1
Add Friction to Distractions
Tell the extension which sites you visit out of habit—social media, news feeds, etc.
2
Interrupt the Autopilot
Before the site loads, a gentle 20-second pause creates a space between impulse and action.
3
Choose Your Intention
With the habit broken, you can consciously decide to proceed or redirect your energy.
Decrease Friction for Good Habits
A pause isn't just about stopping a bad habit—it's the perfect moment to start a good one. Instead of a blank screen, we offer a gentle nudge, an actionable micro-habit you can do right now.
Physical Wellbeing
Combat desk fatigue with posture resets, eye exercises, and micro-movements.
"Reset your posture: sit tall, shoulders back"
Environment
Transform procrastination into organization with quick tidying prompts.
"Create clarity: put one thing away"
Mental Clarity
Ground yourself in the present with mindfulness micro-practices.
"Notice three things in your room right now"
Quick Planning
Gently redirect to productive work without stress or pressure.
"Close one unneeded browser tab"
Goal Alignment
Connect immediate actions to your deeper aspirations.
"Do one thing Future You will appreciate"
Social Connection
Foster kindness and strengthen bonds that truly matter.
"Think of someone you're grateful for"
One Tool, All Your Browsers
Whether you're on Chrome, Firefox, or Edge, get a consistent, private, and mindful browsing experience everywhere.
Your Privacy is Sacred
We believe in privacy by design. To make the extension better for everyone, we collect a small amount of completely anonymous usage data, but we never track you personally.
Your Data is Private
We never collect personal information like your browsing history, IP address, or anything that can identify you.
No Ads. No Selling Data.
Our anonymous analytics are only for improving the extension. We never sell your data or use it for advertising.
Core Features Work Offline
The essential pause-and-reflect functionality works on your device, protecting your focus even without an internet connection.
Read more in our Privacy Policy
"Make bad habits so difficult that it isn’t worth it and good habits so easy that it isn’t worth it not to. That’s the essence of the 20-second rule."
Inspired by the work of Shawn AchorReady to Build Better Habits?
Stop relying on willpower alone. Redesign your digital environment and make good choices the easiest choices. Install The 20s Rule for free.
No sign-up required • Install in 10 seconds
Add Another Blocklist
Want to tackle another habit? Select a category to add its most common sites to your list.
Frequently Asked Questions
The 20-second rule, popularized by Shawn Achor, is a self-help technique for habit change. It states that you can break a bad habit by adding 20 seconds of friction to it, making it harder to start. Conversely, you can build a good habit by removing 20 seconds of friction, making it easier to start. Our extension applies this principle to your browser.
How does The 20s Rule extension work?The extension works in three steps based on the 20-second rule: 1. You add friction to your bad habits by listing distracting websites. 2. When you try to visit one, the extension creates a 20-second pause, interrupting your autopilot. 3. During this pause, you're given a chance to make a conscious choice and are offered a positive 'nudge' to build a better habit instead.
Is my data private and secure?Absolutely. Your privacy is sacred to us. The 20s Rule is 100% local and runs entirely on your device. We do not have any servers, we do not track your activity, and we do not collect, store, or transmit any of your personal data. The extension also works perfectly offline.
Is The 20s Rule free?Yes, The 20s Rule is completely free, with no advertisements or premium versions. It is built on the philosophy of improving digital wellbeing for everyone.
