Show HN: Nudge – AI for macOS that detects procrastination via screenshots

4 months ago 3

The AI that nudges you into flow.

Nudge is an app for macOS that watches your screen and helps you stay in flow. Describe an activity and a duration ("I want to vibe code for an hour") and Nudge will notify you when it looks like you're doing something else.

You will need an OpenAI API key to use Nudge.

See the releases page to find the latest DMGs.

demo.mp4

Ask a new question.

How does Nudge work?

Nudge takes a picture of your screen every few seconds, then asks GPT-4o if it looks like you're engaged in the activity you chose for yourself. If not, Nudge sends you a notification. The default frequency of capture is one minute, but you can modify this in the app settings.

What data does Nudge collect?

Nudge has no external servers today. All the screenshots are exchanged directly between your computer and OpenAI's servers. Nudge does not accumulate screenshots inside of your computer either. Once they're sent to OpenAI, they're discarded. The data sent to 4o may be accessible by the owner of the API key you enter.

We use Sentry for error tracking and telemetry but we don't collect PII as far as I know.

Can I use a model other than GPT-4o?

Not today but I will ship if enough users ask for it. Start a discussion.

How much does Nudge cost in AI usage?

Depends on the model you use, the size of your screen, and the frequency of captures.

During a test on July 2nd 2025, I found each image in my 1470x956 macOS translated into ~14k input tokens. In default settings (GPT-4o-mini, 1 minute capture frequency), this means $0.002 USD per minute that Nudge is active, or 12 cents per hour.

I'm interested in ways to make this cheaper. If you have ideas, start a discussion.