Just a Pause is a native macOS app, built in SwiftUI, that sits quietly in the menu bar and reminds you to step away from the screen — without shouting at you and without interrupting at the wrong moment.

The core idea

Most "break reminder" apps either nag you constantly or require an account and cloud sync for something that should be entirely local and private. Just a Pause does the opposite: it's one person, one app, no sign-up, no cloud, no analytics — just you and a quiet timer.

How it works

Three rhythms, each on its own timer: micro, short, and long breaks — each configurable independently, so it fits how you actually work.
A heads-up a minute early: the app doesn't interrupt abruptly — you get a quiet notice a minute before, so you have time to finish your sentence or task.
The break screen: for twenty seconds, the screen turns into something calm — nothing to read, nothing to answer — just a moment for your eyes and shoulders to be somewhere else.
Knows when not to interrupt: calls, meetings, and full-screen apps hold a break back — it never lands in the middle of something that matters.
Zero-friction install: drag it to Applications and it settles into the menu bar. No account, no cloud, nothing to set up.
No gamification: no streaks, no scores, nothing to keep up with — just small moments of respite.

Business model

One-time purchase, no subscription, with a money-back guarantee. It's genuinely made by a single developer.